I was flipping through channels recently and stopped on The Karate Kid. I haven't seen it in a while and it was near the end. Daniel was making up with Elizabeth Shue (my first crush!) and he was getting ready for the tournament. I kept watching so I could hear the "You're The Best (Around)" song. But upon watching the film to end, I picked up on a solid emotional beat that I believe helped make this story so inspirational and successful.
After LaRusso gets his leg swept during a tournament fight, he is laying in pain asking for Mr. Miyagi for help. Daniel wants to make it to the last fight. Miyagi doesn't understand. but LaRusso pleads that having the girl, the car ("status"), and the Karate knowledge is not enough; he wants to go all the way. He wants to prove that those guys can't pick on him anymore. This is a genuinely effective scene and just the kind of character journey endpoint that Daniel (and Miyagi) needs to reach.
This is a very Rocky-ish theme, which should come as no surprise considering KK's director Avildsen. But credit should also go to screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen and Ralph Macchio/Daniel LaRusso, for being able to sell this beat without (too much) schmaltz.
Sure, Miyagi's mystery "hand rub" saves LaRusso's leg and he wins the big fight, but it is earned. Most films would delight with the success being LaRusso's tournament victory, but this film is the richer for having him realize that his true victory is to "go all the way!"
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