TV News
Cobra Kai Season 1 – Review

Published
3 years agoon

Season one of Cobra Kai is streaming on Netflix, here’s our review of the show.
It stars some of the actors who starred in the cult classic Karate Kid (1984). The cast includes Ralph Macchio as Daniel Larusso and Johnny Lawrence is played again by William Zabka. The new series introduced interesting characters. I was interested to know what their journey would be as it went on.
Season one provides backstory to some of the new faces in Cobra Kai. It starts by turning back the clock to the All Valley Karate tournament final before spinning forward to modern-day. We focus mostly on Johnny and the downward turn his life seems to have taken since that infamous crane kick.
The comedy balance is nice so I have to give a shout out to the writers for a job well done. I can sense that everyone had a fun time making this TV series.
There is no doubt Netflix saw something good in this when they picked up the rights from YouTube Red where it had been showing since 2018. As the number one streaming platform in the world, Netflix has exposed it to a much bigger audience.
The Karate Kid homage
Cobra Kai did something great in rejuvenating The Karate Kid from 1984. There were a number of scenes where they paid homage to the 80s classic. Most notably the school dance and final episode tournament.
On the downside, it can be a bit predictable in parts. But the cheesy side is what makes it a bit fun.
Don’t be surprised if even more 80s movies are rebooted into a series, Netflix may have found a winning formula. They can spawn a new generation of fans but also have a guaranteed audience from the first time around.
It’s impressive how Ralph Macchio and William Zabka were able to slip back into their roles alongside some new faces. The stand out new face is Miguel. Offering a similar ‘new kid in town’ back story Miguel is a good kid and ends up learning from Johnny flipping the 80’s narrative.
Going forward
There are rumours that Will Smith may make a cameo in this series at some point in the future since his production company is behind this. He was influential in the 2010 remake starring Jackie Chan.
There are ten episodes in season one so it’s super easy to binge it if you have Netflix and you’ve got some time on your hands.
Season two is also available with season three expected in 2021. It won’t be a surprise if Netflix renews this for several more seasons after that.
CULTURE CROSSING SCORE 8/10
And that’s our review of Cobra Kai Season One. What did you think of the show? Did you go straight to season two? Were you happy with how they continued the story from the original? Let us know in the comments below.
Find more of our television and steaming articles HERE.
Read IMDB information about Cobra Kai HERE.

Cobra Kai season four is out now on Netflix and the All Valley is back and better than ever. Here’s our review.
SPOILERS: If you’re reading this then you’ve probably seen the show, but if not there are spoilers ahead.
It’s January, and new shows are popping up everywhere. This brings us to the show that I and my friends have been holding our breaths for: the fourth season of the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai! After three seasons, I wondered if there was anything left to mine from the Karate Kid lore or the Johnny/Daniel dynamic. I am happy to report that this might be my favourite season yet! It manages to not only expand upon the universe it has created, but to bring in a new villain, who is so bad that he threatens to outdo even John Kreese!
Alliance
Season four sets us off where the third left off, with Johnny and Daniel having joined forces to fight Cobra Kai. Their friendship arc is the glue that holds this season together. The story focuses largely on whether they will be able to pull it together and make their partnership work. As in previous seasons, their relationship has its ups and downs. The stakes are heightened, however, as the season leads up to the All-Valley Tournament. A bet between the three senseis – Kreese, Daniel, and Johnny – means that losing the All Valley is losing the title of sensei.
This season explores the ways that both Johnny and Daniel work with the kids. It also examines the kids’ struggles as they prepare for the All Valley while dealing with conflict within the ever-changing network of friends and enemies in the dojos. Robbie has left juvenile hall and decided to join up with Cobra Kai as a means of inflicting revenge on both his dad and Daniel. Tori and Sam continue their rivalry. And John Reese’s old friend Terry Silver (of Karate Kid 3 fame) shows up to kick Cobra Kai into high gear.
Daniel’s son, Anthony, who has largely been absent until now, faces his own dilemma when his friends begin bullying Kenny, the new kid in town. This soft-spoken middle school character brings us into the world of the younger kids, setting up yet another storyline. Kenny becomes the victim of a gang of kids (including Anthony), enduring round after round of bullying before Robbie takes him under his wing. After his induction into Cobra Kai, the formerly shy middle-schooler becomes a bully himself.
Shades of grey
This brings me to one of my favourite things about the show. The constant back and forth dynamic between characters makes us feel that anything is possible. There is no black and white in the world of Cobra Kai. Where the Karate Kid told us that Daniel was good, and Johnny was bad, this show gives us a very different point of view. It’s a world where we’re never sure who to root for. In this season, we even see Hawk make a return to the “good guys” side after giving up his spot at Cobra Kai.
With Eagle Fang (Johnny’s new dojo) and Miyagi-Do teaming up, the kids – and the adults – have to learn to work together. Of course, complications ensue. Johnny becomes jealous of what he perceives as Miguel’s preference for Daniel over him. Sam wants to learn both her dad’s karate style and Johnny’s, despite her father’s discouragement. Meanwhile, at Cobra Kai, Kreese is losing his grip on the dojo. His former war buddy, Terry Silver, puts off a rather benign appearance in episode one, growing more and more evil with each episode.
This season is lacking in many of the big fight scenes of the previous seasons, instead choosing to focus their energy on the characters. The All Valley Tournament features several great karate matches and offers a satisfying conclusion to Johnny and Daniel’s arc. In the end, Cobra Kai takes the tournament win, but Johnny and Daniel have reached an understanding.
New champions
Tori defeats Sam to take the women’s All Valley trophy but later overhears her sensei paying off one of the referees. It’s clear that Cobra Kai has pulled yet another fast one. But the season ends on an even more ominous – and unexpected – note. Terry Silver assaults the over-aged former Cobra Kai member, Stingray, sending him to the hospital. He then makes a deal with Stingray to blame the crime on Kreese. We end the season with Kreese in handcuffs, Terry Silver set to take over Cobra Kai, and the future of Eagle Fang and Miyagi-Do uncertain. In a last shocking twist, Miguel leaves town in search of his biological father.
Although some may miss the school hallway throw downs, I found this one satisfying in a different way. It just goes to show that the ever-expanding Cobra Kai universe can keep bringing surprises season after season.
CULTURE CROSSING SCORE 9/10
Thank you for reading our review of Cobra Kai season four. Do you agree or disagree with our points or have anything to add? If so, leave us a comment below.
Check out our Hawkeye episode one and two review HERE.
Read IMDB information about Spider-Man: No Way Home HERE.
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