MovieChat Forums > Cobra Kai (2018) Discussion > so why do people like this show so much?

so why do people like this show so much?


I am not here to criticize - I too have enjoyed the series. But I mean, let's face it: both Ralph Macchio and William Zabka are weak actors, the writing is at best mediocre, and the 8.8 this show has on IMDB is hugely overrated (and 100% on Rotten Tomatoes for season 1, really?).

But just how does all that add up to something so enjoyable?

This show is definitely more than the sum of its parts.



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I enjoyed the series immensely. There are some puff pieces, for sure, a bit camp too, but it really does show personal growth, good or bad. There is also a great depiction of knowing two sides to the story.

I also believe it shows how even people who believe their good can easily be bad, IE the entire Russo family. Holding onto grudges, that some people never change and are dark forever. There is a lot of underlying psychology in these characters.

It shows the inner conflict of a teenager, the rage created by bullying, the shortsightedness of that rage and so on. It shows the change from being popular and not having a strong center. That being said, Sam's character absolutely drives me nuts. She is am amazing example of how someone makes choices, choices they know are bad, but do it anyway. I especially love how she plays the victim through the entire series as if her actions didn't cause a thing. You can choose to do anything you wish, but you do not get to choose the repercussions of those choices. There is a lot of personalities displayed in the cast that give insight to how it is for a teenager today.


My typing is atrocious. I apologize.

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Here's my $.02:

Nobody could have predicted in 1983-1984 where a movie like the Karate Kid could go. It could have been a "one hit wonder" where no one was interested in making a sequel. However, that's not what happened of course and there were multiples. However, you have some teenage actors - well, early 20s playing teens - and aging 30 years wasn't that hard on them. You also have the notion that SOMEWHERE within the IMDb message boards Johnny was considered a hero and Daniel was considered a bit of douchebag. You know what? That worked!

Boom. An idea is born to rekindle a classic from 30+ years ago. I have to give the writers and actors credit. It would be interesting to see of some other movie could do this formula. As big of a fan as I am of the original Wall Street movie, I don't think they did a great job with the 2010 sequel "Money Never Sleeps". It just lacked the charisma of the 1987 film. However, the Cobra Kai characters are interesting still.

I dunno - it just works.

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I really liked it, probably because I wasn’t expecting much. It’s really funny, and I loved the nostalgia of the show. The teen drama can get pretty cheesy at times, and I shake my head at the corniness of some of the fighting, but it’s not too bad. It’s really fun to see that world again.

I love what they did with Johnny Lawrence’s character. He was such a prick in the original movie, and they did a good job humanizing him, and they actually developed a lot of other very human characters for this show. They all make mistakes, but they all have some positive traits where you can see their motivation. Except Kreese, who will always be Kreese. Lol.

And to disagree with the OP, I think both Ralph Macchio, and especially William Zabka, have done an awesome job on the show. It’s nice to see them back playing those two characters.

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Well, I mean would you put them in the same league as Sean Penn or Michael Fassbender or Christian Bale or Joaquin Phoenix? As actors?


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Of course I wouldn’t put them up there with big time movie stars, but I don’t think they do a bad acting job on the show. I think they give convincing performances, and like I said, Zabka really stands out to me as doing really well. While I’m watching, I’m not sitting there going “damn, these guys can’t act.”

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What does being a star have to do with it? Obviously I was talking about their talent. Neither Zabka nor Macchio have 1/10 of the depth or the versatility.


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Ok. Looks like you just want to argue about something. Zabka and Macchio both do a good job on the show, but they are not as talented as the actors you listed. Take care, and have a good day.

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Were you not the one who started arguing with my original point?..

Good day to you as well.


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It's unrealistic, yet it's fun and entertaining and Zabka is terrific.

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Because Cobra Kai Never Dies!

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It’s the redemption of Johnny; he took himself out of the gutter & changed for the better. I like to think there’s a bit of Johnny in all of us

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