Better movie franchise: Rocky vs. The Karate Kid [Archive]

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neils7147933

03-09-2005, 08:36 AM

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00062IVLC.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

VS.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0006OBPTA.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

The two film series have much in common. Both films had soundtracks with similar, award-winning music. John G. Avildsen directed Karate Kid I-III and Rocky, Rocky V. They both follow the same formulaic storylines, but at least in the originals, both rose to a higher level of film due to the character development.

Both franchises also edited in footage from previous installments to tie into the new sequel. We saw that karate tournament from the first KK movie in the first 3; the corniest (and most homoerotic) sequence from either film - Apollo and Rocky racing in their short shorts, then frolicking in the water - was repeated from the 3rd film to the 4th.

And both franchises have at least one wretched sequel. Who can forget the militant school monitors of The Next Karate Kid, the over-the-top karate champ from KK3, the puke inducing propaganda Cold War speech at the end of Rocky IV, the family robot in the same movie...

Here's how I rank the nine films:

1. Rocky
2. The Karate Kid
3. The Karate Kid Part II
4. Rocky II
5. The Karate Kid Part III
6. Rocky III
7. Rocky V
8. The Next Karate Kid
9. Rocky IV

By star rating (4-star scale): 3 (Rocky, KK 1); 2 1/2 (KK II, III; Rocky II, III, V); 2 (NKK) 1 (Rocky IV)

So by franchise: Rocky 5 films - 11 1/2 stars. AVG - 2.3
The Karate Kid: 4 films - 10 stars. AVG - 2.5

Looks like I have to against the boxing franchise on the boxing boards - anyone else care to comment?

Please consider the series AS A WHOLE when making your final decision...

Purity

03-09-2005, 08:45 AM

neils7147933

03-09-2005, 08:52 AM

rocky 1 & 2 kicked ass. every other rocky & karate kid movie blows goats. i never understood the hype behind the karate kid...

what they SHOULD have done was cast ed norton in it instead. have him look like he did in american history x. then call it The Muay Thai Kid.

I don't always agree with Mr. Ebert, and I didn't rate the film as highly as he did, but his review explains the "hype":

The Karate Kid

BY ROGER EBERT

I didn't want to see this movie. I took one look at the title and figured it was either (a) a sequel to Toenails of Vengeance, or (b) an adventure pitting Ricky Schroder against the Megaloth Man. I was completely wrong. THE KARATE KID was one of the nice surprises of 1984 -- an exciting, sweet-tempered, heart-warming story with one of the most interesting friendships in a long time. The friends come from different worlds. A kid named Daniel (Ralph Macchio) is a New Jersey teenager who moves with his mother to Los Angeles. An old guy named Miyagi (Pat Morita) is the Japanese janitor in their apartment building. When Daniel starts to date the former girlfriend of the toughest kid in the senior class, the kid starts pounding on Daniel's head on a regular basis. Daniel tries to fight back, but this is a Southern California kid, and so of course he has a black belt in karate. Enter Mr. Miyagi, who seems to be a harmless old eccentric with a curious hobby: He tries to catch flies with chopsticks. It turns out that Miyagi is a karate master, a student not only of karate fighting but of the total philosophy of the martial arts. He agrees to take Daniel as his student.

And then begins the wonderful center section of THE KARATE KID, as the old man and the kid from Jersey become friends. Miyagi's system of karate instruction is offbeat, to say the least. He puts Daniel to work shining cars, painting fences, scrubbing the bottoms of pools. Daniel complains that he isn't learning karate, he's acting as free labor. But there is a system to Mr. Miyagi's training.
THE KARATE KID was directed by John G. Avildsen, who made ROCKY. It ends with the same sort of climactic fight scene; Daniel faces his enemies in a championship karate tournament. But the heart of this movie isn't in the fight sequences, it's in the relationships. And in addition to Daniel's friendship with Miyagi, there's also a sweet romantic liaison with Ali (Elisabeth Shue), who is your standard girl from the right side of town and has the usual snobbish parents.

Macchio is an unusual, interesting choice for Daniel. He's not the basic handsome Hollywood teenager but a thin, tall, intense kid with a way of seeming to talk to himself. His delivery always sounds natural, even offhand; he never seems to be reading a line. He's a good, sound, interesting lead, but the movie really belongs to Pat Morita, an actor who has been around a long time (he was Arnold on "Happy Days") without ever having a role anywhere near this good. Morita makes Miyagi into an example of applied serenity. In a couple of scenes where he has to face down a hostile karate coach, Miyagi's words are so carefully chosen they don't give the other guy any excuse to get violent; Miyagi uses the language as carefully as his hands or arms to ward off blows and gain an advantage. It's refreshing to see a completely original character like this old man. THE KARATE KID is a sleeper with a title that gives you the wrong idea: It's one of 1984's best movies.

Bombardier

03-09-2005, 08:54 AM

I'd put Rocky II higher...I liked it even more than the first one, though I understand that I'm in the minority here. Still, what movie around illustrates better the pressures on fighters to get back in the ring? The Apollo story is also terrific...about halfway through the movie he knows he's painted himself into a corner and there's nothing he can do about it.

I'd probably put it number three on your list, which would probably make Rocky the winning series then.

+= El Jefe=+

03-09-2005, 09:47 AM

how about
Friday the 13th
Chucky
Star Wars
Star Trek
people are nuts about those too
specially the last two
nerds seem to worship them

Explosivo

03-09-2005, 10:15 AM

Rocky is IMO a far better franchise. The only good Karate Kid was the first one. The second one was OK, the third was lame and the 4th starred a girl (young Hillary Swank). Need I say more??
Yes the Rocky movies were lame and unrealistic, but were all watchable. Even though Rocky 4 vs Drago was pretty bad, I still found it more intruging that Daniel La Russo vs the Karate Bad Boy in KK3. It is a good comparison of movie franchises though.

oldgringo

03-09-2005, 10:24 AM

Daniel Larusso WILL FIGHT!

No but really Miyagi and Daniel Larusso were the better combo than Rocky and Appollo Creed or Adrian or whoever you want. Plus KK had a young, ripe Elisabeth Shue in it which is always a plus because she is insanely hot.

masterdirector

03-09-2005, 10:32 AM

no way.

Every Rocky movie was better than ANY of the Karate Kid movies. And I liked all of the first 3 karate kid movies (haven't seen the girl one)

Karate Kid 2 was the best Karate Kid movie I felt by far. Come on, Chozen the villain (how many people know his name and that he's played by Yuji Okumoto, without checking out IMDB), was great.

Rocky movies: My all-time favorite was Rocky 3. Partially because it was one of the only movies I owned as a little kid, so I've literally seen it at least 300 times, no exaggeration.

Rocky 1 was my least favorite. It was good, but not as good as the others.

My Rocky list is like this:
Rocky 3
Rocky 4
Rocky 5
Rocky 2
Rocky 1

I always go back and forth though on 5 4 and 2. Most people always put Rocky 5 down, but Rocky 5 is one of the few boxing movies in existence that takes a look at the dirty side of boxing, mainly with promoters. I'm not positive but I think it was the first movie to do so. It came out in 1990, so that was before Gladiator, Great White Hype, and Diggstown.

Well, I guess technically The Sting 2 beat Rocky 5 to it. Actually not a horrible movie.

Nobody liked Karate Kid 3? I thought Terry Silver was hilarious. I have to admit that I like Karate Kid 3 more because it is such a bad movie rather than because it is a good movie.

masterdirector

03-09-2005, 10:41 AM

Daniel and Miyagi better than Apollo? **** no man! That's insane! It doesn't get any better than Apollo Creed. Come on, don't make me start quoting lines.
---------
Apollo hooking the hell out of Rocky in part 3: "He's hooking, he's hooking, he's hooking, he's hooking. DAMN ROCK! What's the matter with you?! This guy will knock you on your ass. You think I was tough? This chump'll kill ya! You wanna live in the hospital for five weeks this time?! Come on. Think about the fight, think about the fight."

Apollo goes back to hooking

"He's hooking, he's hooking, he's hooking...DAMN ROCK! What's the matter with you?!"

Rocky : "Tomorrow, we'll do it tomorrow..."

Apollo: "THERE IS NO TOMORROW!" (echoes 3-4 times)
----------

End of Rocky 3, after Rocky won. Rocky and Apollo sparring.

Rocky: How you gonna beat me now? You taught me everything you know.

Apollo: Almost everything. You gotta remember now. You fight great, but I'm a great fighter. Its too bad we never get older huh.

Rocky: Ah, just keep punching Apollo. Wanna ring the bell?

Apollo: All Right. Ding Ding. Come on now, come on.

Rocky: Ohhh, I might be in here with the wrong guy.

Apollo: Ohhh, I think I taught you too well.

Rocky: Yeah you might've taught me too good.

"It's the...eye of the tiger, its the thrill of the fight...rising up to the challenge of our rival...and the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night...."

SonnyG8R

03-09-2005, 11:26 AM

Rocky I was great.

Rocky III was pretty darn good.

Rocky II, IV, and V were all pretty lame imo.

Karate Kid I was pretty good.

Karate Kid II was lame.

Never saw the other KK movies.

I really don't think there is any comparison. Rocky was an Academy Award winning film. If Stalone had quit after the 3rd movie it would be one of the best trilogies ever.

The Karate Kid series was little more than teenie bopper fluff.

kepsy

03-09-2005, 11:27 AM

"Miiiyagiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii......."

neils7147933

03-09-2005, 06:50 PM

Wow, 8-1. If I hadn't made my 'KK' selection first, many of you would think I'm just trying to be contrary...

Memorex

03-09-2005, 08:56 PM

the karate kid couldnt kick my sisters ass the little punk beatch

Dr.Depravity

03-09-2005, 10:15 PM

The Rocky movies overall had better appeal and were a little better made. Karate Kid 1 was great. 2 sucked But part 3 was ****ing hilarious! Danny "I dont want to fight you" Mr. Silver "You dont have to danny! You can stand there and let him kick your ass!"
I love how two grown men dedicate their lifes to destroying the Karate Kid. :D

kapersky

03-10-2005, 01:22 AM

haha funny video

phallus

03-10-2005, 01:50 AM

Rocky Rocky Rocky

while i'm willing to admit Rocky 2 and 3 aren't as good as 1, i still think they deserve more credit than they get, and T makes Rocky 3 - like the part where he's talking trash to Rocky's wife " hey, lady ! why don't u come over here and see a real man "

boxing fan

03-14-2005, 08:35 AM

Sometimes I have bad dreams about Cobra Kai.

neils7147933

04-16-2005, 10:50 AM

Anybody see this poor-man's Karate Kid? It's on right now. It's pretty bad...

http://www.fantasfilm.com/image/x-sidekicks-jj.jpg

tino

04-16-2005, 03:48 PM

Anybody see this poor-man's Karate Kid? It's on right now. It's pretty bad...

http://www.fantasfilm.com/image/x-sidekicks-jj.jpg

this is in french , i take it as an insult neils :mad:

phallus

04-16-2005, 06:53 PM

Anybody see this poor-man's Karate Kid? It's on right now. It's pretty bad...

http://www.fantasfilm.com/image/x-sidekicks-jj.jpg

u should send that chick from the cornfield after their ass, neils :D

jack_the_rippuh

01-12-2006, 06:25 PM

Rest in peace, Miyagi.

Oasis_Lad

01-12-2006, 06:27 PM

this is like putting the tellytubbies up against the office(british version of course) rocky is far superior in very way shape and form

jspivey

01-12-2006, 06:33 PM

I'd have to pick the Rocky movies. Why?

1-My dad used to watch these movies(1-4) over and over and over till I saw Paulie in my sleep.

2- I think there're fighters out there that can relate to every Rocky movie.

neils7147933

05-23-2006, 02:49 PM

Dr.Depravity

05-23-2006, 09:18 PM

http://www.fantasfilm.com/image/x-sidekicks-jj.jpg

This movie sucked serious dick. The cuts from stunt man to the kid are ****ing pathetic. It would have been much better with a lessor actor who actually had some karate skills. Well, I did find the Chuck Norris daydreams entertaining....so its not quite a seriously dick sucking affair, but its not good, not good at all.

BrooklynBomber

05-23-2006, 09:20 PM

Rocky ktfo's the karate kid.

RockyMarcianofan00

05-23-2006, 09:26 PM

Rocky was better

Rocky II-was the best
Rocky-was great
Rocky IV-was great
Rocky III-was good
Rocky V- i liked

-Antonio-

05-23-2006, 09:48 PM

Rocky 2 IMO is the best Rocky movie. I thought that one had the best story.

the texas kid

05-23-2006, 09:51 PM

leff

05-24-2006, 06:00 PM

Anybody see this poor-man's Karate Kid? It's on right now. It's pretty bad...

http://www.fantasfilm.com/image/x-sidekicks-jj.jpg

even worse, i own a copy

unit021

05-24-2006, 06:59 PM

i think that there should be a discussion about the soundtracks of the movies. i mean, eye of the tiger vs. you're the best around, is a battle of epic proportions. both feature bad 80's synth and drum, with the prerequisite electric guitar solo. and then you're never sure of who exactly is singing. but you can bet it was some dude with big hair.

and best of the best, trumps both of these. followed slightly by kickboxer. perhaps even american ninja.

but i do think that Rocky is a better movie franchise, but i personally enjoy the Karate Kid a little more. "Put him in a body bag, Johnny~~!"

Biolink

05-24-2006, 08:13 PM

Rocky by far.The Karate kid movies sucked big time after the first one.The only reason why I watched the movie was because of Pat Morita.

Dr.Depravity

05-24-2006, 09:24 PM

even worse, i own a copy

For the love of god Leff, please say it was a gift. :D

neils7147933

05-25-2006, 07:57 AM

For the love of god Leff, please say it was a gift. :D

I taped it off premium cable for my 6-year old and even he thought it sucked...

jason100x

05-25-2006, 01:46 PM

The Karate Kid movies only have 1 and 2 and I suppose the Next Karate Kid for the novelty factor (it's definitely a fun bad movie). I actually like all of the Rocky movies, although they do get unrealistic at times, they are always fun.

rocco1252

05-25-2006, 01:56 PM

I would have said which is better Rambo or Rocky, Karate kid series was alright but it didnt have the same feeling or drive to want to be like the main character or be like Rambo when I watched the Karate Kid. It was an inspirational movie yes and it made you feel good for the underdog just like Rocky but it wasnt the same. Rocky KO Karate Kid.

Southpaw Stinger

12-15-2006, 01:22 PM

Have to go with Rocky.

jason100x

12-15-2006, 01:36 PM

Still have to go with Rocky on this. Plus, I don't think I would look forward to a Karate Kid 5 as much as I am anxiously waiting for Rocky Balboa.

The Raging Bull

12-15-2006, 01:38 PM

Rocky all the way. Never really liked the Karate Kid films.

neils7147933

08-07-2007, 06:56 AM

eazy_mas

08-07-2007, 07:05 AM

Rocky is about fighting the odds and how success effect relationships and emotion with courage.

anyway I wanted to remind something remeber the first Karate kid movie at the end when the little kid got hurt and the master rubbes his hand to generate and and cure his shoulder :D

i tried it and it works :D

Jimmy The Gent

08-07-2007, 08:38 AM

I enjoyed the first karate Kid but the rest I seemed to have no interest what so ever in. Where as I could watch all of the Rocky's in one day including Rocky V

Pac_man=God

08-07-2007, 12:56 PM

Rocky for sure, the first karate kid was good, but the other ones were just kind of the same.

neils7147933

10-16-2008, 09:38 PM

gotta bump this as a companion to the other Rocky thread

BrooklynBomber

10-16-2008, 09:47 PM

Legendary thread, Neil.

KESSLER

10-16-2008, 09:52 PM

Rocky skull ****s Karate Kid.

kswizzy99

10-16-2008, 10:51 PM

lol, what a question to ask in a boxing forum. did you really think karate kid had a chance?

neils7147933

10-16-2008, 11:20 PM

lol, what a question to ask in a boxing forum. did you really think karate kid had a chance?
I thought the Karate Kid movies were better overall, though after Rocky Balboa came out, then the Rocky franchise was slightly better...

Mike06j770

10-17-2008, 12:44 AM

Rocky. Putting KK up against ROcky is a disgrace to Rocky.

MANGLER

10-17-2008, 01:06 AM

I've seen all the Karate Kid movies, and I think every Rocky movie blows em away.

BOLLOCKS

10-17-2008, 02:37 AM

I see their is a bunch of ****ing Karate Kid haters here. :D

Karate Kid > Rocky

The Noose

10-17-2008, 02:47 AM

Karate Kid is by far the more enjoyable film.

But only the first one was good. The rest are utter ****e from what i can remember.

All the Rocky films were fun. The first 2 Rockys were quality, the rest as fun but stupid

Overall Rocky wins hands down. But Karate Kid is a ATG. Even if its kinda gay.

El Dominicano

10-17-2008, 02:50 AM

Karate Kid sucked MAJOR. Not even a challenge...Better yet what was better Rambo or Rocky? Know we'd be talking...

Boxing_Girl23

10-17-2008, 03:11 AM

Rocky hands down:boxing:

Liaison

10-17-2008, 06:51 AM

In order

Rocky
Karate Kid
Rocky II
Rocky III
Rocky Balboa
Rocky IV
Karate Kid 2
Karate Kid 3
Rocky V
The Next Karate Kid

The first Karate Kid was epic, one of my favs, but so is the first Rocky...

riera

10-17-2008, 12:22 PM

Mr Miagai was just a clown, but Rocky was taking the piss out of boxing. What a ****ing retard Stallone is, honestly.

ABOSWORTH

10-17-2008, 12:27 PM

I love both movies. Funny, I just watched the third Karate Kid movie last night "on demand.":lol1:

Miyagi

10-17-2008, 12:29 PM

both were great sets of movies. i did not enjoy the next karate kid, with hilary swank as much. not the same with out daniel san.

-MAKAVELLI-

10-17-2008, 12:42 PM

Karate Kid 1 was filmed in my area (Reseda)

but i gotta go with Rocky...

Karate Kid is like watching a pathetic little virgin kid get his as5 kicked...kinda like watching Rich Loc's life...f'n wacked

BOLLOCKS

10-18-2008, 03:32 AM