"If do right, no can defense."
"Daniel LaRusso's gonna fight? DANIEL LARUSSO'S GONNA FIGHT!"
— All Valley Karate Tournament Announcer
Our hero makes his journey from helpless bullying victim to All Valley champion with the aid of one of cinema's greatest mentors. It's no wonder The Karate Kid has taken its place as an iconic 80s classic.
- The scene where Miyagi beats up Daniel's bullies when they were about to really injure him in a potentially permanent or even fatal way. He makes quick work out of younger, trained karate students like the Old Master that he was!
- The scene where Miyagi demonstrates the usefulness of Wax On, Wax Off. The expression of confusion on Daniel's face slowly transitioning first to shock then to enlightened awe as Miyagi throws blow after blow at him and he defends himself without even realizing he's doing it tells the entire story.
- Ali punching Johnny for forcibly kissing her to spite a nearby Danny does feel a bit cathartic, considering the wedge it nearly puts the couple through.
- The "You're the Best" sequence, where Daniel shows everyone, especially the Cobra Kais, that the former punching bag is now kicking ass.
- The final of the tournament between Daniel and Johnny. Ralph Macchio and William Zabka have stated that they practiced this fight throughout the entirety of filming, and their efforts certainly pay off for a terrific climax to the movie.
- Under injuries that would put a lesser teenager down and out, Daniel returns to the mat and dances around on his injured leg to go up 2-0, with one of his points coming from a very cool-looking takedown where he hits Johnny with a backhanded chop to the back of the head while they're both on the ground.
- Even after Kreese orders Johnny to target Daniel's injured leg, Daniel manages to stay in the fight in the face of Johnny's overwhelming offense.
- At one point, Johnny pulls off a kip-up that would make Shawn Michaels proud.
- With the scores tied at 2-2 and Daniel unable to even stand on his left leg, he executes a perfect Crane Kick and wins the tournament, for one of the most triumphant and iconic moments in '80s film. Even the Memetic Mutation that has rendered it comical can't diminish its awesomeness. Mr. Miyagi's little nod of approval before the kick and his beaming smile after Daniel wins are just the icing on the cake.
