We also have to remember, that these movies do not try to depict reality as realistically as possible (otherwise, -SO- many things would've been different, especially the male-female-dynamics, which is always shown as 'movie-unrealistic', and this TV show is no exception).
The Karate Kid movie wasn't about 'how realistic would it be for Daniel to beat this or that guy', it was more about showing that physical side isn't everything, and that the two different paths lead to very different results.
It's a lot like 'Star Wars' and the force. The dark side -seems- more powerful and is very alluring and makes sense on the surface, with immediate payoffs and immediate results (you physically punch someone in the face very hard, they will bleed - yay!).
But with the more subtle way of using the force yields long-term results in the end (it has even the power to turn someone from being mercilessly evil, to being good again).
Daniel and Miyagi are like the etheric-astral side of things, they're like the energy that guides the physical, they're like the blueprints that make the house - just mere physical work won't build you a sophisticated house, no matter how many bricks you are able to slap together to claim results.
These movies are like lessons, that should be take more metaphorically, and then applied to your own life; physical side is important, but to get to the very top level, it is never enough. You also need the 'soft touch', you also need the 'fluidity' and not just raw muscle.
You need energy, information, guidance and deeper understanding, that raw musclepower just can't give you. In the end, your physical opponent doesn't even matter anymore, because you are fighting yourself.
Even Bruce Lee talked about using Martial Arts to punch and kick your own hang-ups and such.
So you can look at it as Miyagi teaching Daniel the OTHER side, the higher, softer, more subtle, and yet, more 'long-term-powerful' side of Karate, life and things.
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[deleted]
5 years ago
Cobra Kai focused solely on brutally and mercilessly beating the opponent to a pulp with rage, anger, and physical force.
Miyagi-san knew that this wasn't enough to be really and truly good at Martial Arts (and please notice the 'ARTS' part, not only the 'MARTIAL' part), but something deeper is necessary.
They don't talk about the 'Budō Spirit' or 'Martial Spirit' for nothing. It is very real.
You can only go so far with purely physical approach. Miyagi knew this, Cobra Kai people didn't.
You don't meditate in Cobra Kai, you don't balance your energy, you don't train and work internally, you don't utilize your inner focus - you just punch, smash and mash things and become as evil as possible.
That is not real Karate. And this was the point of the Karate Kid-movies.
I am not sure what the point of this show is, besides shoving nostalgy in our faces and making some haphazard 'story' about the elements in those movies, and then pumping as much boring 'typical teen relationshít drama' in it to fill the void in story as much as possible.
There can be an intense and action-filled scene, and then suddenly we're listening to some teenage hags squeak about their problems. I mean, womens' voices are in so many TV shows like old, unoiled door hinges - they squeak lifelessly until you can barely hear what the last word was. Who thought that kind of speaking style is good? So many women speak like that, it's as annoying as the action starts that grunt or mumble-growl their lines so you long for the old days of Stallone's line delivery.
Why can't people talk like people anymore? Clearly, utilizing your voice and personality energetically and interestingly, instead of squeaking.. ok, a bit off-topic, but still. Sheesh.
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