May 7th 2010 By Elizabeth Brady

Debate the Greatness and Win a 'Karate Kid' Blu-ray Box Set

In case you haven't been closely following the career of Will Smith's son, Jaden, he's starring in a "Karate Kid" remake with Jackie Chan, slated to be released on June 11. Although Chan is pretty awesome, we're not sure his performance will be able to compare to Pat Morita's original performance as Mr. Miyagi.

Indeed, true "Karate Kid" connoisseurs are looking forward instead to May 11, when "The Karate Kid I & II" will be released in an exclusive two-disc Blu-ray Collector's Edition Box. It's basically a box of power, awesomeness and crane kicks -- almost as exciting as Asylum's exclusive interview with the original karate kid, Ralph Macchio.

Asylum is giving away one box set to a lucky reader. To enter the contest, just leave your answer to this question in the comments below: Which film do you think has more ass-kicking essence -- the 1984 original, the sequel from '86, or the upcoming remake?

Read on for the fine print and to debate the greatness.

Asylum's Karate Kid Blu-Ray giveaway is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, please leave a comment at the bottom of this post. You must enter before 6:00 pm Eastern Time on May 13. You may enter once per email address, and one winner will be selected in a random drawing. The prize pack will include the following item: (Approximate total retail value $27.96) one Blu-ray copy of "The Karate Kid I" and "The Karate Kid II." Click here for complete Official Rules.

Tags: karate kid - karate kid 2 - KarateKid - KarateKid2 - pat morita - PatMorita - ralph macchio - RalphMacchio

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Friday 07 May

By Rgrable

Neutral

The ass kicking essence of the karate kid films is in the following order, starting with the least ass kicking to the most along with reasons why:
1. Original Karate Kid (Macchio/Morita.) Firstly, Daniel moved to the San Fernando Valley. I grew up in the Valley. The Valley pretty much blows. But all geographical issues aside, Mr. Miyagi saves Daniel's Ass without breaking a sweat. Daniel enters the most unrealistic tournament ever, stealing a black belt to fight and then wins by performing a move that looked like it was stolen from the Thriller video. But there's some redemption in the training Montage which is part of what made the 80s awesome.

2. KK Part 2. At this point, we (the audience) know Mr. Miyagi is a bad ass in disguise, but Daniel is still pretty much a pussy that got lucky in a karate tournament with above stated thriller dance move. But now, they are headed back to Okinawa. There's no way Daniel can stand up to fighting the originators of the style right? How will Mr. Miyagi handle the pressure of being back home? Who cares!!! Daniel can break stuff with his hands now. 'Nuff said.

3. (Most kick ass potential) New version. Jackie Chan, unlike Pat Morita, can actually kick ass. Since his US breakthrough "Rumble in the Bronx," Chan has gained immense popularity based on doing his own stunts. Wax on, Wax off, while he's jumping off a bridge onto a moving freightliner packed with cargo sounds about right. Let's go on the record saying that Will Smith, who is in excellent shape and has had his fair share of action success, and Jada Pinkett, also in great shape and with decent action success (The Matrix films,) probably made a kid with kick ass potential. Certainly a kid who has more balls and action potential that Macchio's Daniel ever would.

Now, this is a judgment call without ever having seen the new Karate Kid. I'm completely sold if there is a training montage in this one. Even more sold if Man-Faced Hilary Swank (the Next Karate Kid ie: candidate for the worst sequel ever) is no where near this script.

Sunday 09 May

By John Romagnola

Neutral

I hate to agree with the majority, but the original is my favorite and probably the most ass-kicking. The element of surprise of the characters is the key. We just don't expect Mr. Myogi or Daniel to be as tough as they turn out to be. This in addition to the fact that Daniel wins over the young and hot Elizabeth Shue makes him my idol for evermore.

Wednesday 12 May

By Barry Harrin

Neutral

All the karate kid films are awesome!

Friday 07 May

By dmv

Neutral

the 1984 original

Friday 07 May

By nogard0

Neutral

Which film do you think has more ass-kicking essence -- the 1984 original, the sequel from '86, or the upcoming remake?

actually none i think karate kid 3 was better and karate kid 4 was real change because it got a female into the otherwise male stereotyped casting.

Friday 07 May

By Jason

Neutral

Of course the Original for 1984. That film defined my life.

Saturday 08 May

By Michelle Grantz

Neutral

I enjoyed all the films, but the original was probably the best!

Saturday 08 May

By Jeff

Neutral

I can suspend enough belief that Daniel LaRusso can get in the zone the day of a tournament with total babe like 1984 Ali (with an I) in his corner and beat a bunch of other high schoolers in the original. But asking me to believe that Daniel LaRusso in 2 years of karate has enough to take down a guy like Chozen who TEACHES karate to US Military Police with nothing more than "drum technique" in Karate Kid 2? Well that's just a bridge too far Daniel-San. On top of that, any ass kicking essence is immediately destroyed watching Daniel-San Lindy Hop to "Rock Around the Clock", and the pure cheese of Peter Cetera's "Glory of Love". Peter Cetera's music is many things, but kick ass it is not.

As for this remake, I've already seen a movie where a preteen learns martial arts from an old Asian man and wins the heart of another preteen girl at the end. It was called 3 Ninja's. Seeing an 11 year old kick another 11 year olds ass just doesn't do it for me and I'm sorry that I'm not sorry about it. And I know it's just semantics but...how are you going to call it Karate Kid when he's learning Kung Fu? Ultimately I don't expect "jacket off" to replace "wax on, wax off" in any way shape or form, but "Rocky Loves Emily" could surely use an update...

Which leaves us with the 1984 original as the choice that still oozes the essence of kick-ass. To paraphrase Shrek, this movie is like an onion of kick-ass (NO IT DOES NOT STINK!!!), it has layers and I could easily write a book about it, but all I have to say is this: you're the best around. If that montage doesn't get you lifted and ready to dispense epic ass-kickery and dominate whatever seemingly impossible task you have in 2 mins and 56 seconds I just don't see much of a reason to talk to you.

sidenote: I feel that Sony's omission of Karate Kid 3 and The Next Karate Kid were intentional and I couldn't be happier about it. Near 30 Ralph Macchio couldn't play 18 year old Daniel-San to save his life and it showed, maybe that's why he never got anywhere with spunky pottery maker Jessica Andrews (who apparently knew the movie was so bad her character left halfway through). That's right folks the hero doesn't even get the girl in this one! And as for The Next Karate Kid? I really wish Hillary Swank pulled the plug on that 8 million dollar baby before it bombed the box office.

Saturday 08 May

By Frank

Neutral

Of course, it's the original. I had seen nothing like this before.

Saturday 08 May

By Bob F

Neutral

The 1984 original has the kick-ass essence

Saturday 08 May

By Michelle St. James

Neutral

Call me old-school, but the 1984 original, definitely. I loved the idea of the Next Karate Kid with a female protagonist, but the movie itself was awful.