--- title: "The Karate Kid: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-karate-kid/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-karate-kid" critics_score: 73 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Karate Kid (1984): what the critics said Critics' score 73 from 10 reviews: 8 positive, 1 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics like The Karate Kid, and they like it for the same reason: the friendship between Daniel and Mr Miyagi. The reviews return again and again to Pat Morita, whose calm, dignified performance is singled out as the film’s anchor, with Ralph Macchio’s earnest turn a close second. Several reviewers see the film as a Rocky for children and find the underdog story rootable and honest, corny as it can be. The reservations cluster around age. Many find the 1980s fashions, soundtrack and teen romance dated, and a few call the plot predictable wish-fulfilment. The New York Times thinks the director and writer clutter what should be a gentle two-man drama with too much extra business. The one outright dissent is Time Out, which finds the film formulaic and short on intelligence or originality. The spread is otherwise narrow: warm, with a shrug at the cheese. ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). The film is a sweet-tempered surprise with an engaging central friendship between a bullied teen and his wise mentor. The critic especially praises Pat Morita's original and serene performance as Miyagi. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-karate-kid-1984) ## Slant Magazine Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 17 June 2009. The critic recalls the film's impact as a heartfelt underdog story centered on an unlikely friendship between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi, praising its emotional honesty, strong performances, and nostalgic appeal despite some dated elements. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/summer-of-84-waxing-on-nostalgia-the-karate-kid/) ## The AV Club — Noel Murray Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 24 November 2010. The critic reappraises the film after initially dismissing it, finding it richer than its reputation as a simplistic self-actualization drama thanks to its low-key performances and everyday interactions. It singles out the warm, nuanced rapport between the leads and the film's nostalgic '80s details for praise while noting its corny elements. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-karate-kid-1798223109) ## Empire — Caroline Westbrook Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The first instalment is starting to look slightly dated with its 80s fashions and soundtrack, but Ralph Macchio's transformation from geek to champion with Mr Miyagi's help is entertaining enough. It remains a soppy and predictable but enjoyable reminder of 80s teen flicks. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/karate-kid-review/) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 22 June 1984. The movie has the makings of a heart-warming two-man drama thanks to charming performances by Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio. However, the director and screenwriter overload it with extraneous elements that undermine its gentle mood. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1984/06/22/movies/screen-karate-kid-bane-of-bullies.html) ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1983. The critic describes the film as a Rocky for kids, with an underdog story centered on a New Jersey teen who moves to California and learns karate from a wise maintenance man. It singles out Pat Morita for a terrific performance that brings authority and wisdom to the role. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1983/film/reviews/the-karate-kid-2-1200425926/) ## Time Out — TR Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 2012. The critic describes it as a formulaic teenage wish-fulfilment story lacking intelligence, discrimination, and originality, though it became a surprise hit similar to Rocky. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-karate-kid-1) ## Collider — Therese Lacson Rating A. 22 September 2022. The critic finds the film inspiring as an underdog tale and praises the relationship between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi along with the karate scenes, especially the tournament finale. [Read the review](https://collider.com/karate-kid-review-cobra-kai/) ## Eye for Film — Stephen Carty Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 12 March 2010. The critic finds the film dated in its teen romance and early scenes but praises the heartfelt teacher-pupil relationship between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi as a five-star classic. Avildsen's underdog storytelling and the iconic performances make it rootable wish-fulfilment despite cheesy elements. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-karate-kid-film-review-by-stephen-carty) ## Den of Geek — Ryan Lambie Rating 3/5. 22 July 2010. The review finds the film dated in its action and hairstyles but praises the emotional core of the friendships, especially Morita's dignified performance as Mr. Miyagi and the moving scenes that elevate it above typical family fare. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-karate-kid-blu-ray-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-karate-kid.md