Series Spotlight: Cobra Kai

Ahhhh, The Karate Kid. If you're as old as me then you'll remember Daniel Leruso and Mr Myagi. In fact, thinking about the films makes my hairs stand on end -- they played such a pivotal role in my life back in the 80s.

I was a bullied kid. And films like the Karate Kid helped me get up, brush myself off and stick up for myself. They even encouraged me to learn some karate in my teenage years.

Cobra Kai starts us off 34 years later with a down on his luck low life Johnny Lawrence as he wakes up from a drunken stupor. Most of us adults could have imagined where he would have ended up because we all know what kind of lives the school bullies lead after their peak in High School; it's not usually one of granduer that's for sure.

The series takes us through the memories of Johnny Lawrence; that he's actually just a good kid, getting along with his life -- and then this stupid kid comes along trying to steal his girlfriend away from him at the time. Obviously neglecting to remember his part in the downfall of their relationship, which is typical for most people that have yet to see life through mature viewpoint.

It was... interesting. I'd never considered that Johnny had his own feelings and viewpoints at the time. The Karate Kid painted him as an almost sociopath, and he was the main enemy to beat, the end level boss of the whole first film.

Yet Cobra Kai is a sombre reminder that most people who outwardly project anger and hatred usually need a bit of love inside because they aren't getting any from anywhere at the home. Sometimes they need a hug and a reminder that they are important too. We saw this as Johnny takes a wayward bullied teen under his wing and begins to teach him all that he knows.

It's almost as if Johnny has become Mr Myagi.

Ah but Daniel now sees that Cobra Kai is back in business and rather than have a sensible conversation with Johnny over a beer or two, he gets blinded by his rage and gets hell bent on destroying the business that Johnny is trying to set up. After all, in comparison to Johnny, Daniel has money and power -- so his threats can stretch much further than a simple fight.

It's such a sweet revival of a 3 decade old franchise and quite the watchable difference from other reboots that have surfaced over the last ten years, only to be thrown in the dumpster and set on fire, destroying absolutely everything that the previous films stood for.

This has probably been the best revival so far, paying hommage and respect to all the previous characters (and new ones).

If you haven't seen it yet then I'd recommend that you give it a watch, especially if you like a bit of bully vengance like I do. There's lots in this one -- and we see a complete character reversal where at some points you are wondering whether Daniel has become the villain this time.

But life is a bit like that anyway. We are both the hero's and villains in our own story!

Posted using CineTV