Cobra Kai Review: A True Successor & Golden Gem to the 80s!
WRITTEN & EDITED BY: JOHN DARIUS
FEATURED IMAGE OWNED BY NETFLIX
34 years after his defeat to longtime highschool rival Daniel LaRusso, Johnny Lawrence now having hit his lowest, is given a second chance at redemption with the new kid in town by the name of Miguel Diaz. Serving as a newly exciting well-made sequel to John Avildesen’s 80s classic The Karate Kid, created & produced by Jon Hurwitz, Joel Scholsberrg, & Josh Heald, this epic new series follows the story of Johnny who quickly goes on a journey of self discovery. Becoming a mentor & inspiration to a younger generation in hopes of reopening the karate dojo Cobra Kai. While rebuilding a better name & future for himself, & setting up a new course of events that’ll in the end, change his & the lives of those around him forever…
Now although I am in the late, I don’t think I’ve ever come across a sequel that’s left me as pleased or as proud such as this one in years! Every character showcased in this series feels so down to earth and grounded in nature. This new spinoff follows the story of a younger group of kids lead by Daniel LaRusso’s daughter Sam LaRusso (Mary Mouser), Miguel Diaz (Xolo Mariduena), and estranged son to Johnny Lawrence, Robbie Keene played by Tanner Buchanan, who quickly are thrust into a lifelong rivalry war between Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai. The honest humane approach creators Hurwitz, scholsberrg, and Heald all manage to bring forth in the relationships we see developed amongst these widely well-loved characters, completely excel any all expectations old & new fans may have coming into this new show. The amount of care & time put into just chorography alone, along with the music, & even the nods that pay homage to the original films, just all feel true & so well done at heart. Making it easier for viewers to buy into the drama that later unravels as seasons go on.
Much like how fan favorites in Boy Meets World or Full House was to older generations, Cobra Kai fits within that very same league, but in an even better more satisfying way than one could have ever anticipated! Unlike most of the television we see today that feels wildly scripted & censored in dialogue, the creators for this show fortunately never make the mistake of ever falling into that same box at all. Instead, they’ve managed to honor what many fans I believe have come to love most about the original films in the first place. Setting in tone a message that showcases why anyone, no matter who they are, where they’re from or what their past might be, has the ability to determine the sheer outcome of their own future & can achieve absolute success in anything they put their mind to. So long as they stay true to themselves while holding a sense of compassion & respect for those around them. Understanding that many of the mistakes we make in life, and the lessons we learn from them, are what will ultimately help shape who we become moving forward. A universal yet powerful message that I think speaks to all of us no matter the age. Making itself in every way, a perfect blend of both a love letter and true successor to that of the original trilogy.
Earlier this year it was also revealed that the show has left it’s original home Youtube Red, and has now been picked up by Netflix for a third upcoming season set to premiere sometime early 2021, and went on to trend at number 1 across all platforms in just it’s first month released. This news couldn’t have come at better time given the fact that many are still at home due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Now with streaming at an all time high, Cobra Kai has free reign in gaining an even bigger fanbase across the world than ever before! A true golden gem that pays respect to the 80s, & plays out as not only a gateway for other potential spinoffs to come in the future, but possibly may even encourage more creators in the business to hopefully take the same initiative with other well loved past films that could end up generating similar buzz overtime.
The remarks I have for this show are nothing but excellence across the board, & much like everyone else who’s a fan, I want nothing more but to see this epic new saga continue in its success and gain the recognition it deserves. Out of all the work I’ve seen thus far, I couldn’t be more happy to be a part this ride! Already coming in strong with two incredible seasons that are every bit as enjoyable as critics and fans say they are. Those who haven’t started yet, I’m sure will in time feel the same way once they’ve gotten a chance to check it out themselves. An A + on all cylinders, and without a doubt one of the best shows out today!
Did you enjoy this review? Let us know your thoughts by sending us a tweet or message to @Team_JVS or Team JVS. And subscribe to our Youtube Channel and check out more of our content our website. Thanks for reading everyone, and until next time… Take care!
DISCLAIMER:
NONE OF THE IMAGES USED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE OWNED BY WRITER OR WEBSITE!