Topic: Cobra Kai (Karate Kid Continuation/Phase 2/Whatever)

[Djozer]

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/xCwwxNbtK6Y" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/xCwwxNbtK6Y</a>


Thought this deserved its own thread because, well, it's ace.

Not sure about anyone else, but for some reason growing up in the 80s and 90s, watching Karate Kid seemed to be a bit of a rite of passage. It wasn't a great film, but it has a certain charm. This Youtube Red reboot brings back the original actors playing the main characters, and examines their respective and very different lives (and continuing rivalry) 30 something years later.

I watched it initially out of a sense of nostalgia, but I reckon you could very easily enjoy it without any prior knowledge of the original films. It's got humour, drama, punching and kicking - all the good stuff basically. Trending at 9.2 on IMDB at the minute, which is no doubt at least partially due to the ratings bounce new shows typically get on there, but also because it's genuinely a really good series, possibly the best 'new' series I've seen in quite some time. First two episodes are free on Youtube, the rest can be found in, er, other places...give it a whirl, if you haven't already done so.

[Something Worse]

It's wild how good it is. The bully from an 80s movie and Jonny Lawrence leading a top level tv show in 2018 is such a crazy move. And yet it works perfectly.

It's referential without being nostalgic, and as you said could be watched without seeing the original. I was blown away. Strongly recommend to anyone.

[Djozer]

It's wild how good it is. The bully from an 80s movie and Jonny Lawrence leading a top level tv show in 2018 is such a crazy move. And yet it works perfectly.

It's referential without being nostalgic, and as you said could be watched without seeing the original. I was blown away. Strongly recommend to anyone.

Me too, man. I started watching it last night cos' I thought, what the hell, looks alright, bit of nostalgia, whatever. Just intended on watching a few episodes and ended up bingeing the whole thing and not getting to bed until 4.30! It really is that good. Hope they sort a second series out quickly.

[Igor Tripod Biscan]

The last scene of the last episode....shit just got real!

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

Binge watched all of it after just giving the first episode on youtube a go. It's brilliant. It's magnificent viewing on its own.

Spoiler

It's true art how well fleshed out, '3d' the characters are, loved the acting of almost all the leads except Robby. He doesn't carry the bad-boy-turning-good arc well, the guy's got the face and bearing of a villain, too cold, too closed. His best scenes were early on imo when he was cheating people off laptops and telling his dad to get lost.

Love Johnny Lawrence and Miguel man. It's a testament to the quality of the work done that they can make you start to dislike certain aspects of Daniel LaRusso! The worst thing they can do imo is have next season's main arc being Robby finally winning the championship and the girl. Screw Robby.

So far they've done practically everything spot on. Top class.

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[Andy @ Allerton!]

I used to do Karate back in the day and the lad he fought, you could tell even then was a decent fighter and knew his stuff.

The 'Star' of the show would have got a massive kicking in our club if he pulled that jumpy duck shite - would never work in a real competition.

[[new username under construction]]

But come on, the first episode was cheesy and corny as fuck!

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

But come on, the first episode was cheesy and corny as fuck!

This insult can only be settled in the ring.

[[new username under construction]]

This insult can only be settled in the ring.

lol Hey I liked it  (haven't watched the series yet) but it was not bad but a little.....cringy. I'm guessing it picks up well?

[Andy @ Allerton!]

This insult can only be settled in the ring.

You'd need bonjella if someone did that to your ring

[killer-heels]

The guy who played Daniel is quite a strange looking man child.

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

lol Hey I liked it  (haven't watched the series yet) but it was not bad but a little.....cringy. I'm guessing it picks up well?

just joking...For me, it was consistent in terms of the pace of the story and quality. Give the whole thing a go and see.

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

The guy who played Daniel is quite a strange looking man child.

Yeah, it`s the original karate kid himself, Ralph Maccio.

[Djozer]

Binge watched all of it after just giving the first episode on youtube a go. It's brilliant. It's magnificent viewing on its own.

Spoiler

It's true art how well fleshed out, '3d' the characters are, loved the acting of almost all the leads except Robby. He doesn't carry the bad-boy-turning-good arc well, the guy's got the face and bearing of a villain, too cold, too closed. His best scenes were early on imo when he was cheating people off laptops and telling his dad to get lost.

Love Johnny Lawrence and Miguel man. It's a testament to the quality of the work done that they can make you start to dislike certain aspects of Daniel LaRusso! The worst thing they can do imo is have next season's main arc being Robby finally winning the championship and the girl. Screw Robby.

So far they've done practically everything spot on. Top class.

[close]

Spoiler

Totally agree about Robby, he just annoyed me for some reason. Don't know if it's just his face or what, just couldn't really get into him. Guess they needed a partway sympathetic counterpoint to Miguel, so he had someone meaningful to face in the tournament, and the show's all about the grey areas. Well, they failed. I just wanted Miguel to kick his squinty little face in, even though Miguel's almost the bully by that stage. Hope Robby gets fucked off for the next series but yeah, I can see him ending up being the champion. Hopefully it's Larusso's daughter instead, I didn't mind her, although I'd root for Miguel against anyone I think.

I'm with you on Lawrence and Miguel too, they really made the show for me. Great characters, played brilliantly. Both have pretty good comic timing, which worked really well when it was needed. Hawk was cool, too. Quite fancy Miguel's mum an all - be nice if she ends up with Lawrence, although I can't really see it happening. His gran was ace as well. Very intrigued to see how Kreese fits into it all next season. It would be great if Lawrence ends up battering him at some point, never would a comeuppance be more deserved. Need a proper Larusso-Lawrence matchup too, or maybe they can team up to take down Kreese. Even so, I want to see those two get the straightener they need, although it'd be nice if they end up as mates - I really liked it when they were almost there after getting pissed up together and finding out how much they had in common, before Robby ruined it. Fucking Robby again, always Robby.

[close]

[Sahara]

Wouldn't be surprised if Mike Barnes or Terry Silver make an appearance in season 2.

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

Spoiler

Totally agree about Robby, he just annoyed me for some reason. Don't know if it's just his face or what, just couldn't really get into him. Guess they needed a partway sympathetic counterpoint to Miguel, so he had someone meaningful to face in the tournament, and the show's all about the grey areas. Well, they failed. I just wanted Miguel to kick his squinty little face in, even though Miguel's almost the bully by that stage. Hope Robby gets fucked off for the next series but yeah, I can see him ending up being the champion. Hopefully it's Larusso's daughter instead, I didn't mind her, although I'd root for Miguel against anyone I think.

I'm with you on Lawrence and Miguel too, they really made the show for me. Great characters, played brilliantly. Both have pretty good comic timing, which worked really well when it was needed. Hawk was cool, too. Quite fancy Miguel's mum an all - be nice if she ends up with Lawrence, although I can't really see it happening. His gran was ace as well. Very intrigued to see how Kreese fits into it all next season. It would be great if Lawrence ends up battering him at some point, never would a comeuppance be more deserved. Need a proper Larusso-Lawrence matchup too, or maybe they can team up to take down Kreese. Even so, I want to see those two get the straightener they need, although it'd be nice if they end up as mates - I really liked it when they were almost there after getting pissed up together and finding out how much they had in common, before Robby ruined it. Fucking Robby again, always Robby.

[close]

Spoiler

Art being subjective it's rarer that you get total agreement on something, but what you've said there...agree with pretty much everything - including Miguel's mom being a potential love interest of Johnny.

They've built up Miguel so well that I would back him against anyone too, would be nice if he ends up as the ultimate protaganist of the entire series rather than the more predictable Robby or Daniel's daughter.

[close]

Definitely owe you a thanks for starting a thread on this, unlikely to have caught my attention otherwise.

[archie]

Wouldn't be surprised if Mike Barnes or Terry Silver make an appearance in season 2.

This needs to happen.

[Djozer]

Spoiler

Art being subjective it's rarer that you get total agreement on something, but what you've said there...agree with pretty much everything - including Miguel's mom being a potential love interest of Johnny.

They've built up Miguel so well that I would back him against anyone too, would be nice if he ends up as the ultimate protaganist of the entire series rather than the more predictable Robby or Daniel's daughter.

[close]

Definitely owe you a thanks for starting a thread on this, unlikely to have caught my attention otherwise.

You're very welcome mate, and I'm glad that at least one person watched it because of this thread. I reckon everyone and their mum should watch this, I find it hard to imagine the sort of person who would come away from watching it without a smile on their face.

Also, you've reminded me that I should thank the person who mentioned it in the TV thread, as I probably wouldn't have bothered myself otherwise. I was definitely of a "Karate Kid tv series? Not sure that's my cup of tea" mindset, but I'm so glad I gave it a chance.

[archie]

First couple of episodes free on YouTube then it’s paywall

Where are people watching this?

[Djozer]

First couple of episodes free on YouTube then it’s paywall

Where are people watching this?

pm'd you mate.

[Slick_Beef]

Another one who decided to watch it because of this thread, absolutely brilliant, far better than I would have expected. Great to see so much care being put into the characters and the story rather than just trying to milk nostalgia.

[Nobby Reserve]

I'm another who's begun watching this cos of this thread. Seen the first episode and I'm hooked.

Cheers, chaps!

[Livbes]

5 in. Loving it.

[Slick_Beef]

Spoiler

Totally agree about Robby, he just annoyed me for some reason. Don't know if it's just his face or what, just couldn't really get into him. Guess they needed a partway sympathetic counterpoint to Miguel, so he had someone meaningful to face in the tournament, and the show's all about the grey areas. Well, they failed. I just wanted Miguel to kick his squinty little face in, even though Miguel's almost the bully by that stage. Hope Robby gets fucked off for the next series but yeah, I can see him ending up being the champion. Hopefully it's Larusso's daughter instead, I didn't mind her, although I'd root for Miguel against anyone I think.

I'm with you on Lawrence and Miguel too, they really made the show for me. Great characters, played brilliantly. Both have pretty good comic timing, which worked really well when it was needed. Hawk was cool, too. Quite fancy Miguel's mum an all - be nice if she ends up with Lawrence, although I can't really see it happening. His gran was ace as well. Very intrigued to see how Kreese fits into it all next season. It would be great if Lawrence ends up battering him at some point, never would a comeuppance be more deserved. Need a proper Larusso-Lawrence matchup too, or maybe they can team up to take down Kreese. Even so, I want to see those two get the straightener they need, although it'd be nice if they end up as mates - I really liked it when they were almost there after getting pissed up together and finding out how much they had in common, before Robby ruined it. Fucking Robby again, always Robby.

[close]

Spoiler

Agree with you mate. Absolutely loved the series, but if there is one criticism i'd make, it's Robby. His character changes from a bad kid to Daniel's next star pupil way too quickly so I still just see him as a little shit. Kind of felt like Miguel and Sam's relationship turned sour a little too fast too, an extra couple of episodes would could have helped with the pacing.

Still, it's so well written on the whole. I love how it's not just black and white, and that we see both the positives and negatives of Cobra Kai, and how Johnny and Daniel are both flawed in their own ways. I really though Zabka is particular did a brilliant job with the acting. He has the best comedy lines too.. that "my doctor says I'm on the spectrum" - "Well you better get off it, pronto!!" still makes me laugh when I think about it

[close]

[[new username under construction]]

Done the series and when they do the cheese subtly then it's great. Overall really great series I thought

[Igor Tripod Biscan]

That Robby reminded me of this weirdo

[C.B Alonso]

Great tv show! But It’s wrong to call it a reboot!
Johnny is so good. So many funny quotes on there!
I love how he’s stuck in the 80s and not PC
the soundtrack is good too

[Darren G]

Started watching this evening.  I've just finished episode 7 and as it's now 5:34AM I should probably go to bed now.   So... I just wanted to say thanks to Djozer for the recommendation and to the other contributors for their input in the thread, because I almost certainly wouldn't have watched this otherwise and it's absolutely fucking ace!

[DanFromMars]

Johnny is so good.
I love how he’s stuck in the 80s and not PC

The bit where they were doing the minutes silence and he whispered to kick him in the face while waiting 

Awesome show

[Darren G]

So, episode 8....

 

Spoiler

Johnny's version of events in the original movie. What a really clever bit of writing/editing that was. really well done.

[close]

[[new username under construction]]

So, episode 8....

 

Spoiler

Johnny's version of events in the original movie. What a really clever bit of writing/editing that was. really well done.

[close]

Spoiler

been around years on the internet, I wonder if that is where the idea for the new show came from

[close]

[Something Worse]

Spoiler

been around years on the internet, I wonder if that is where the idea for the new show came from

[close]

I'd say it must be

[Darren G]

Spoiler

been around years on the internet, I wonder if that is where the idea for the new show came from

[close]

 Haha, found it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_Gz_iTuRMM

[C.B Alonso]

The bit where they were doing the minutes silence and he whispered to kick him in the face while waiting 

Awesome show

haha yes Johnny just seems to say whats on your mind. There's so many quotes from the show that make me laugh.

'You can take your asthma, and your peanut allergies and all that other made up bullshit outside, is that understood?!'
LOL

Johnny: "hm i really like these bananas"
Mig's mum: "they're called plaintains"
Johnny: "Oh, in english we call them bananas"


"What's a facebook?"

and so on

[Djozer]

Spoiler

Agree with you mate. Absolutely loved the series, but if there is one criticism i'd make, it's Robby. His character changes from a bad kid to Daniel's next star pupil way too quickly so I still just see him as a little shit. Kind of felt like Miguel and Sam's relationship turned sour a little too fast too, an extra couple of episodes would could have helped with the pacing.

Still, it's so well written on the whole. I love how it's not just black and white, and that we see both the positives and negatives of Cobra Kai, and how Johnny and Daniel are both flawed in their own ways. I really though Zabka is particular did a brilliant job with the acting. He has the best comedy lines too.. that "my doctor says I'm on the spectrum" - "Well you better get off it, pronto!!" still makes me laugh when I think about it

[close]

Spoiler

Totally agree about the pacing mate. Robby's character change (though they could have spread that over 100 episodes and I suspect I'd still have found him irritating), Miguel and Sam's relationship, and just the whole nerdy kids do karate and become hardcore borderline bullies thing could all have done with a few more episodes work, perhaps. Arguably even Lip's reinvention as Hawk, although that was clearly intentionally quick and it worked well I think - love the Hawk.

And yeah, Johnny had some brilliant non-PC lines and in many ways is a complete dick, but still manages to be a hugely sympathetic character imo - as you say, a testament to both his acting and the excellent writing.

[close]

Great tv show! But It’s wrong to call it a reboot!

You might well be right, man - I struggled to know what to call it. "Sequel" somehow didn't seem right (although maybe that's technically more correct?), but as you say, not too sure about "Reboot" either. Glad everyone's enjoying it, and if anyone's got a better term for it than "reboot" then I'm more than happy to change the thread title.

[Darren G]

"Continuation of" maybe?

[C.B Alonso]

"Continuation of" maybe?

sounds about right

[Something Worse]

I believe the correct term is "phase two".

Can't wait for the Ali Mills part of the KKEU.

[afc tukrish]

I believe the correct term is "phase two".

Can't wait for the Ali Mills part of the KKEU.

Dear God, imagine the possibilities...

Divorced soccer mom with issues, yum...

Elisabeth Shue will never sign on, but if she did...

[C.B Alonso]

Wouldn't be surprised if Mike Barnes or Terry Silver make an appearance in season 2.

Mike Barnes is set for season 2.
There's a fan theory that Terry Silver is the father of Miguel.

Can't wait to see the next season!