I AM having a blast watching Cobra Kai, the Web series sequel to the successful Karate Kid films from the 1980s starring Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, who are both executive producers for this action-comedy-drama.
The series—two seasons are now available on Netflix after initial having been shown on YouTube Premium with a third season on its way by 2021—takes place 34 years after Macchio’s character of Daniel LaRusso defeated Zabka’s Johnny Lawrence to win the All Valley Karate Championships.
Unlike the film trilogy, the web series gives Lawrence more depth as a character; an anti-hero if you will, who finds redemption and his balance when he opens the infamous Cobra Kai dojo.
The rivalry between LaRusso and Lawrence is inadvertently rekindled when the former’s daughter, Sam (Mary Mouser), accidentally hits the latter’s car in a hit-and-run incident. When Johnny’s car is taken to a car repair show owned by LaRusso, the two meet. Even that meeting is contentious.
Lawrence reopens the Cobra Kai dojo where he takes in Miguel Diaz (Xolo Maridueña) as an understudy. LaRusso comes across the reopened Cobra Kai dojo and tries to stop its operation through various means. Daniel, now wealthy and happily married, then unknowingly picks up estranged son, Robby Keene (Tanner Buchanan) who is out to piss off his old man.
Now that sends sparks flying in all directions and the powder keg situation explodes in the 2018 All Valley Karate Championships when Diaz defeats Keene. Oh, that’s just the first season.
The web series has multiple flashbacks and even reprises certain scenes from the original Karate Kid film when Diaz and Keene nearly come to blows during a lakeside party and the karate finals.
What I love about the series is the solid writing and character development. You will find yourself also rooting for Lawrence (more so when Martin Kove’s character of John Kreese returns at the end of Season 1) as he tries to turn his life around. Characters aren’t one-dimensional.
Karate Kid was such a beloved film during the 1980s for Generation Xers like me who were in high school and college during that decade. After seeing new web or television series such as Red Oaks, GLOW, The Goldbergs, Deutschland 83, and Stranger Things all set in the 80s, it feels like being transported back to that time complete with the fashion and music of the era. And yes, it was a great time to be growing up.
Cobra Kai pushes the narrative to the 21st century but in the tastes and likes of both LaRusso and Lawrence, the 80s lives on.
To wit, when both Daniel and Johnny go driving, the groove to REO Speedwagon and do a bit of reminiscing when they see the former’s old apartment.
Metallica and Guns N’ Roses also find their way into the screen if not the audio (along with Twister Sister, Ratt, and other 80s hair metal acts).
As a nostalgic touch, the old Ford Super Deluxe of Mr. Miyagi—it is still there as Macchio purchased the car used in the original film.
Despite his success as a car salesman, LaRusso has lost some balance in his life when he lost his mentor in Mr. Miyagi (the late pat Morita who is such a sight for sore eyes even if only in old footage). As he loses some of his clarity, he learns not only from his wife, Amanda (Courtney Henggeler) and even his daughter, Sam.
I love the interaction between LaRusso and Lawrence. I love the part when Lawrence is invited to have breakfast by Amanda and it clearly rankles Daniel.
And just when you think the two will finally bury the hatchet between them instead of on their heads, something happens. And that makes the web series riveting. And there is the sub-plot between Miguel-Sam-Robby, Johnny and Kreese, and the various kids in school and who are part of the Miyagi-Do Karate dojo.
Each episode clocks in at under 30 minutes making each one tasty morsels that you cannot get enough.
Ten years ago, I saw the parody of LaRusso’s life in the hilarious Wax Off, F*^k Off film. Cobrai Kai has its moments of levity and you don’t see it coming. It happens. Macchio and Zabka have this chemistry afforded them through the entire Karate Kid series and its hilarious spin-offs through the years.
And that makes watching Cobra Kai feel like old home week. Like finding that old chair in the living room that you loved so much. Like an old picture or a baseball glove.
It’s cool too because martial arts is given focus instead of the usual basketball, soccer, baseball, or American Football.
Take some time to watch Cobra Kai when you aren’t busy. It will surely put a smile—or several dozen ones—on your face.
