All 6 uses of Daniel’s crane kick in Cobra Kai and The Karate Kid, ranked

The legendary “Crane Kick” from Ralph Macchio. Karate Kid the character returns several times in the franchise, leading up to the transition to Cobra Kai. The long-running saga has been far from stable in both release timing and quality. However, some elements have stood the test of time and continue to be part of the formula today. Daniel LaRusso’s signature move is used relatively sparingly.. This way, every time the strike comes back into the spotlight, it feels more like a major event than an ordinary occurrence.

Although every moment of Crane Kick mattersThey’re not all that good to each other. Certain factors enhance or diminish the significance of Crane Strike in the franchise’s timeline. For example, this mainly happens during one of the tournaments in Karate Kid movies and Cobra Kai. Alternatively, some Cobra Kai the characters suffered blows in personal quarrels. After learning this movement as part of Mr. Miyagi’s training in the first Karate Kid In this film, the franchise brought back the Crane Strike again and again – and created some brilliant moments.

Being one of the cornerstones of Miyago-do karate, “Crane Kick” is one of the most unprotected techniques for the uninitiated. Only once in the entire franchise has an on-screen conflict failed to be brought to an immediate end. Even in the real world, the technique has become a cultural icon, referenced, parodied, and tributed in many forms of media. Although it is not a “real” martial arts technique, it is largely based on authentic forms of fighting. Thus, it is very plausible as an authentic addition to Karate Kid knowledge.

6

Johnny Lawrence’s (sort of) crane kick while training with Daniel

Cobra Kai, season 4, episode 3, “Then Learn to Fly”

There are several points where the Crane Kick is only mentioned or when the starting pose is shown. For example, Macchio’s character is revealed in Cobra Kai In the first season, he struck a “Crane Kick” pose while taking pictures with customers at his car dealership. The Beginning of Johnny “The Crane” Cobra Kai Season 3 Episode 4, “Then Learn to Fly,” probably goes beyond mere spectacle. While training with Daniel during the episode: Johnny can be seen in the early stages of Crane Strike before Daniel leaves.. That’s cool, but it would be better if he pulled it off.

Since Johnny was the first on-screen recipient of Daniel’s Crane Kick, it would be fitting if he returned the favor many years later. If Daniel hadn’t backed down in exasperation, it’s entirely possible that Johnny would have had the chance to do just that. Losing to Crane Kick in the original film is obviously still a huge point of contention for Johnny.as shown in the previous stages Cobra Kai season 1. At the same time, his use of this technique outside the context of an actual fight might have reduced the potential effectiveness of the moment.

5

Daniel’s crane kick fails against Chozen Toguchi

The Karate Kid Part III (1989)

More recently, Yuji Okomoto’s character has become a staunch ally of Daniel LaRusso, but their relationship started off on less than friendly terms. As one of the main antagonists of the second Karate Kid In the film, Chozen challenges Daniel to a fight that is expected to be fatal for at least one of the two young men. Given the success of the Crane Kick at the end of the first film, it would be reasonable to assume that Daniel would be able to use this technique again to defeat Chozen. Unfortunately for Macchio’s character, Chozen is more than prepared and makes the move inert..

This particular Crane Kick is the only one that is fully implemented in Karate Kid a franchise that failed. Of course, if Daniel had managed to land a blow, it would have brought an abrupt end to what should have been a great fight. It would also lead to an ending that would be too similar to the ending of the film that preceded it. Daniel’s failure to replicate his success against Johnny from the first installment of the franchise meant he had to dig deeper. It was a good sequence, but the shot itself was deliberately bad.

4

Miguel’s Crane Strike in the Valley

Cobra Kai, season 1, episode 10, “Mercy”

Bringing back Crane Kick after the franchise lay dormant for so long was always going to be a challenge. There was no way to Cobra Kai would have skipped this step completely, but it had to happen at the right time. Although the obvious choice would be to save the kick for the All-Valley finale in Cobra Kaiseason one finale, the writers made a conscious decision to introduce it a little earlier when Miguel uses Crane Punch against an unnamed character. in one of the previous rounds.

Cobra Kai does a great job of not creating a new main character to replace Daniel, and if Miguel or Robbie got Crane Punched in the finale, it would throw off the careful balancing act. Instead of, the writers allow this iconic move to come to fruition by allowing apprentice Johnny to use it in full view of his old rival. The moment is over in the blink of an eye, but it has great significance without dominating events. This is a creative solution to bring back the effect, even if it is quite simple from a visual point of view.

3

Dre Parker spinning on a crane kick at a kung fu tournament

The Karate Kid (2010)

When the Jackie Chan movie came out in 2010, it was originally supposed to be a remake of the original. Karate Kid. This remained the case for many years, but with another film scheduled for release in 2025, Chan’s project was integrated into the main timeline. As a result the 2010 production now takes place in the same world as the others. Karate Kid movies And Cobra Kai. Thus, Jaden Smith’s “Crane Kick” from Dre Parker at the end of the one-time remake also counts toward the franchise’s top score—and it’s executed brilliantly.

With the advent of Jackie Chan, fight choreography has always improved. Every conflict is thoughtful and well-shot, including Dre’s final fight at the kung fu tournament. Although it is executed with much more flair, it is clear that Dre is using a beat very similar to the one that originated in the very first part. Karate Kid movie. However, it’s just How Dre knows the kick is unclearsince it is part of Miyagi-do karate. Not only does Chan’s Mr. Han teach Dre kung fu instead of karate, but he also has no known in-universe connection to Mr. Miyagi.

2

Daniel defeating Terry Silver

Cobra Kai, season 5, episode 10, “Head of the Snake”

After returning to the franchise in Cobra Kai Season 4 for the first time since 1989 Karate Kid Part IIIThomas Ian Griffith returns to the role of Terry Silver effortlessly. After arguably becoming an even more nefarious leader of the titular dojo than Kreese, Silver’s villainous arc continued brilliantly despite his lengthy absence. So when Daniel finally beat him at the end Cobra Kai Season 4, it was cathartic for Macchio’s character, as well as for longtime fans Karate Kid saga. The icing on the cake was that we did it with Crane Kick.

Silver’s face-off with Daniel begins with the former promising to put an end to Miyagi-do, which makes Griffiths’ character’s fall from the Crane Punch all the more satisfying. Combined with the fact that Daniel is using his former sensei.Mercury method“ In the third film, the fight itself is a brilliant way to end the toxic feud between the two men. Daniel might want to refrain from using Crane Kick at this point. Luckily, he didn’t, and this scene is the second most effective use of this technique in the entire franchise.

Terry Silver is probably the biggest Karate Kid the franchise’s villains are destroyed by the Crane Strike. While a case can be made at the end of the first film for Johnny Lawrence to receive this honor, the persuasive and popular theory that Johnny Lawrence was never a bad guy makes it difficult to see William Zabka’s character as a true antagonist, especially given his volatility. devotion to Cobra Kai.

1

Daniel defeats Johnny in the All-Valley finals

The Karate Kid (1984)

It would be disingenuous to award the title of “Best Crane Shot” to any moment other than the one at the end of the first Karate Kid movie. This is the first time the kick has been performed in full, and the excitement of the scene created a saga that continues to this day. The fact that Daniel was injured while performing the maneuver. makes him even better as it shows his great fortitude – a trait that is just as strong over time Cobra Kai.

Without this “Crane Kick” it might have seemed incredibly inorganic to Cobra Kai to happen at all, since Johnny’s disappointment over losing All-Valley had a lot to do with falling on the run. It is clear that Johnny still has not forgotten about the defeat.. Although the two men have since formed an uneasy alliance bordering on friendship, resentment still simmers beneath the surface. Because the scene itself is so brilliant, coupled with the complex emotions it evokes, the use of Crane Kick is the best in the entire story. Karate Kid franchise – including Cobra Kai.