Karate Kid Collection [3 Discs]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

The Karate Kid film series waxes its way onto DVD with this fine DVD collection from Columbia Home Entertainment. This set contains all four action-packed Mr. Miyagi movies, which have each been given a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, along with various sound options that certainly get the job done, though don't expect too many bells and whistles in that category (this is the Karate Kid, after all!). The first film has been given the most attention, with two 20-minute making-ofs that feature extensive cast and crew interviews, along with behind-the-scenes footage. Other featurettes include an interview with the fight choreographer along with a sit-down interview with composer Bill Conti as he talks you through the score. Aside from another featurette on bonsai trees, there's an extremely fun full-length audio commentary from director John G. Avildsen, writer Robert Kamen and actors Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita. Between a healthy dose of laughs, the motley bunch make their way through the film and manage to entertain and dish out stories at the same time, giving the track an unexpected light quality that is certain to be a surprise to those not expecting much. The sequels don't get too much love, outside of a vintage featurette for Part II, along with previews for the first and second film. With a low price point, this collection is actually a pretty good deal, considering that no one in their right mind would probably pony up the dough for the third or fourth flick. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 3
• Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 (Theatre Wide Screen)
• Screen: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Features:
  • Commentary with director John Avildsen, writer Robert Kamen, and actors Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita
  • "The Way of the Karate Kid": Multi-part making-of featurette
  • "Beyond the Form" featurette
  • "East Meets West: A Composer's Notebook"
  • "Life of Bonsai" featurette

AWARDS

• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

•     Nominated Best Song - 1986 (Peter Cetera, David Foster, Diane Nini)
•     Nominated Best Supporting Actor - 1984 (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita)

• American Society of Cinematographers

•     Nominated Best Cinematography - 1986 (James A. Crabe)

• Hollywood Foreign Press Association

•     Nominated Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Pictu - 1984 (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Ralph Macchio - Daniel
       Hilary Swank - Julie Pierce
       Elisabeth Shue - Ali
       Constance Towers - Louisa
       Chris Conrad - Eric
       Arsenio "Sonny" Trinidad - Abbot Monk
       Michael Cavalieri - Ned
       Rob Garrison - Tommy
       Aaron Seville - G.I. #5

• Director:

  John G. Avildsen, Christopher Cain

• Producer:

  Jerry Weintraub, R.J. Louis, Sheldon Schrager

• Screenwriter:

  Robert Mark Kamen, Alan Ormsby, Mark Lee

• Cinematographer:

  James A. Crabe, Steve Yaconelli, Laszlo Kovacs

• Composer (Music Score):

  Bill Conti

• Musical Direction/Supervision:

  Brooks Arthur

• Songwriter:

  Jacob Brackman, Peter Cetera, Bill Conti, Jimmy de Knight, Dennis de Young, David Foster, Max Friedman, Diane Nini, Michael Omartian, Roland Orzabal, Wayne Perkins, Carly Simon, Ian Stanley, Dootsie Williams, Richard Wolf, Curtis Williams

• Musical Direction/Supervision:

  Andy Wiskes

• Editor:

  John G. Avildsen, Walt Mulconery, Bud Smith, David Garfield, Jane Kurson, John Carter, Christopher Greenbury, Ronald Roose

• Production Designer:

  William J. Cassidy, William Matthews, R.J. Louis, Walter Paul Martishius

• Art Director:

  William Matthews, Christopher Burian-Mohr

• Co-producer:

  Karen Trudy Rosenfelt, Jerry Weingraub

• Associate Producer:

  Bud Smith, William J. Cassidy, Karen Trudy Rosenfelt, Susan Ekins

• Executive Producer:

  R.J. Louis

• Set Designer:

  John H. Anderson, Lee Poll, Jim Teegarden, Carl Stensel, Tracy Doyle

• Costume Designer:

  Richard Bruno, Aida Swenson, Mary Malin, Michael Chavez, Carole James

• Sound/Sound Designer:

  Dean Hodges

• Makeup:

  E. Thomas Case, James Kail, John M. Elliott, Jr., Del Acevedo

• Special Effects:

  Dennis Dion, Bill Mesa

• First Assistant Director:

  Clifford C. Coleman, Nick Mastandrea

• Consultant/advisor:

  Zenko Heshiki

• Camera Operator:

  Jonathan West

• Stunts:

  Fumio Demura, Pat E. Johnson

• Choreography:

  Paul de Rolf, Jose de Vega, Paula Abdul

• Casting:

  Pennie Du Pont, Caro Jones, Bonnie Timmermann, Joy Todd

• Sound Editor:

  J.Paul Huntsman

• Sound Effects Editor:

  Norval D. Crutcher Jr.

• Music Editor:

  Stephen A. Hope

• Fights Choreographer:

  Pat E. Johnson

• Second Assistant Director:

  Christine Larson

• Musical Performer:

  Masakazu Yoshizawa

• Sound Editor:

  Kay Rose

REVIEWS:

• The initial film of the enormously successful Karate Kid series, although essentially the familiar tale of an underdog striving for victory, has an innate appeal often lacking in the genre -- an entirely believable rapport between its two stars. The script centers on the travails of a teenage boy, played by Ralph Macchio, who learns to defend himself against the bullying of some uncomfortably Aryan-looking types from an elderly Asian gardener (Pat Morita) who happens to be a master of the martial arts. The film goes beyond the typical plot machinery, as the old man teaches the boy about more than just karate, and a relationship develops between the two. Macchio and Pat Morita are close to perfection in their roles, and Martin Kove is good as the guy you love to hate. Macchio went on to star in a couple of sequels to the hit film, and it seems possible that his strong identification with the role might have hampered the development of his career. ~ Michael Costello, Rovi
• The Karate Kid Part II is basically more of the same from director John G. Avildsen, a sequel that studies the high points of the original so closely that it could be considered a remake set in a different location. Instead of being cheered and applauded by an American tournament crowd won over by his underdog status, this time Daniel is urged onward by the swell of handheld percussive instruments scattered through a Japanese crowd won over by his underdog status. However hastily it was rushed into production, The Karate Kid Part II does manage to duplicate the original's winning vibe, including prompting pleased moviegoers to karate chop the air on their way out of the theater, in turn expelling their adrenaline. The fact that it cleared over $115 million domestically, compared to the $90 million taken in by the original, indicates the appetite for escapism that prompted two more similar sequels. This also probably corresponded with a hike in enrollment at karate studios around the country. Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita exude considerable comfort with the traits expected of them, with Macchio hauling back out his blue-collar New Jersey pride and Morita getting more laughs from wise eccentricity. The series began a serious slide after this installment, though it did feature future Oscar winner Hilary Swank in part four (The Next Karate Kid). ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi