The Unparalleled Brilliance of Cobra Kai: Why It Dominates Beyond All Other Movie & TV Reboots

Summary

Cobra Kai successfully follows the formula of The Karate Kid while putting its own twist on it, breathing new life into the story.

The spinoff series introduced mainly new characters to maintain a sense of novelty and intrigue, while also featuring beloved characters from previous episodes.

Cobra Kai maintains a light-hearted tone by embracing its over-the-top and fantastical elements, resulting in a more adaptable and enjoyable revival.

Cobra Kai has proven to be a successful spinoff of the Karate Kid movies, surpassing the failures of other attempts. The rise in popularity of reboots over the past decade has brought many beloved classics into the modern era through sequels, spinoffs, and remakes. However, these new adaptations often fall short, leaving audiences disappointed. In contrast, Cobra Kai has triumphed as a reboot by embracing key elements that have led to its success.

The Karate Kid holds a special place in 1980s culture. It combined the inspiring story of an underdog with the thrilling action of a martial arts film. Although the sequels, including The Karate Kid Part 2, The Karate Kid Part 3, and The Next Karate Kid, did not achieve the same level of success, the core essence of Daniel LaRusso's story remained intact. Audiences continue to hold nostalgic affection for the original films. When Cobra Kai came along, there was a risk of tarnishing this legacy. However, against all odds, the Netflix series has managed to not only maintain the excitement but also carry it forward into its sixth season. This achievement is far from accidental.

10 Cobra Kai Used The Karate Kid’s Formula (With A Unique Twist)

9 Cobra Kai Follows Predominantly New Characters

Reboots often lose sight of what made the original movie or series popular. However, The Karate Kid stayed true to its roots by highlighting the teacher-student bond between Mr. Miyagi and Daniel LaRusso. This familiar concept of an experienced mentor guiding a marginalized student has been overdone in film and TV. But what sets Cobra Kai apart is their clever adaptation of this formula. By making Johnny Lawrence the new Mr. Miyagi and having Miguel as his student, Cobra Kai rejuvenated this timeless concept.

The return of the old Karate Kid characters in Cobra Kai has been a delight. However, this alone wouldn't have sufficed. Daniel LaRusso, Johnny Lawrence, John Kreese, Terry Silver—they all possessed stories that demanded continuation. Yet, their interest would have dwindled if not for the younger generation of characters. Reboots like Fuller House often rely heavily on familiar faces, yet Cobra Kai managed to propel its story forward by introducing characters like Miguel, Robby, and Sam.

8 Cobra Kai Doesn’t Take Itself Too Seriously

A series like Cobra Kai might have an advantage in terms of continuity and realism when compared to other shows. There are certain aspects of the Netflix series that can be confusing or illogical. The characters seem to quickly become experts in karate, violent fights rarely have any legal consequences, and the exaggerated seriousness of adults over children's karate schools is far-fetched. However, Cobra Kai never tries to be anything other than outrageous. This allows the series to embrace its own silliness, going beyond the level of exaggeration seen in the Karate Kid movies, which gives it the flexibility to function as a reboot.

7 Cobra Kai Shifted To Johnny’s “Villain” Perspective

Instead of the expected choice for a The Karate Kid spinoff, where Daniel LaRusso would take on Mr. Miyagi's role as the wise old sensei, a different path was taken. This decision proved to be more captivating as it offered a fresh perspective on the original movies rather than simply replicating them. By shifting the spotlight onto The Karate Kid's villain in Cobra Kai, the series not only continues the story but also presents a unique angle. By emphasizing Johnny's "badass" qualities, Cobra Kai establishes itself as a standalone narrative while still maintaining a connection to The Karate Kid.

6 Cobra Kai Paid Homage To The 1980s (Without Making Fun Of It)

Nostalgia plays a crucial role in the success of any reboot. Audiences seek to recapture the essence of the original when indulging in a remake or spinoff of a beloved classic. Particularly for films and TV series released in the 1980s or 1990s, viewers long for a simpler time, characterized by distinct music, fashion, and technology. However, the challenge lies in avoiding excessive mockery of these decades, as it could alienate the very individuals who hold nostalgic sentiments towards them. Cobra Kai adeptly incorporates '80s elements without diminishing their significance, allowing characters and audiences alike to reminisce with fondness about the eras they once experienced firsthand.

5 Cobra Kai Allowed Daniel & Johnny To Have Changed Since The Karate Kid

Cobra Kai takes place three decades after The Karate Kid, making it inevitable for Johnny and Daniel to have undergone significant transformations since their high school days. Daniel, in particular, has experienced notable changes. Once an impoverished newcomer from New Jersey, he has now evolved into a prosperous owner of a car dealership, seemingly detached from the challenges of a humble background. This metamorphosis is much more credible than if Cobra Kai were to portray a 50-year-old character still behaving like a teenager. Although seemingly obvious, this aspect is often overlooked by numerous reboots.

4 The Karate Kid’s Story Is Enhanced By Cobra Kai

There's no point in continuing a 30-year-old story if there is nothing meaningful to contribute. Many reboots start to feel like mere attempts to make money since, despite numerous sequels, they fail to offer any significant additions to the original narrative. Cobra Kai exemplifies how this can be done correctly. Despite The Karate Kid Part 3 being considered a disappointment, Cobra Kai retrospectively enhances the perception of the story by introducing Terry Silver as a central antagonist in Cobra Kai. As a result, this sparked a renewed interest in the franchise's third film, prompting some viewers to even watch it for the first time.

3 Cobra Kai Had a Clear Story To Tell (Rather Than Beating A Dead Horse)

While many TV reboots fizzle out after a short run, continuously going down the drain, there are a few exceptions. This typically occurs when the spinoff or sequel lacks a clear direction from the start, or it introduces conflicts that are quickly resolved. These shows tend to rely solely on nostalgia to attract viewers, essentially beating a dead horse for financial gain.

However, Cobra Kai stands apart from the rest. It thrives on the rivalry between Daniel and Johnny, drawing countless other characters into the chaos. This simple yet effective concept drives the series forward organically, leading up to a satisfying conclusion in Cobra Kai season 6. The well-rounded story finds its logical end, ensuring fans are left fulfilled.

2 Cobra Kai Didn’t Shy Away From Tasteful Retcons

If a movie or TV series is being rebooted, it will likely already have a loyal fan following. Fandoms are notoriously protective of their beloved properties, so things can get ugly when a reboot or spinoff messes with canon. However, if a series is too afraid to make some changes, then it's more likely that audiences will lose interest. Cobra Kai took the liberty of retconning numerous plot points from The Karate Kid, all while maintaining a logical narrative. For instance, in Cobra Kai season 1, it is revealed that Johnny's seemingly flawless past was anything but, as his family's wealth stemmed from his manipulative and abusive stepfather.

1 Cobra Kai Poked Fun At Obsessive Nostalgia

The primary motivation behind rebooting any movie or TV show is often nostalgia, even if the storyline lacks a logical progression. Sometimes, people become so fixated on the past that they lose interest in advancing their lives, whether by embracing new films and TV series or by embarking on a new path. Cobra Kai brings attention to this issue through its characters. Johnny and Daniel are both stuck in different ways, dwelling on the past. However, as the series unfolds, they gradually learn to have a healthier relationship with nostalgia. This delicate balance between the past and present is what contributes to the success of Cobra Kai, and it is intriguing to see this lesson mirrored in its characters.