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starklinqs's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely LOVE the Miyagiverse and was itching for a book about it, so I was super happy to find this reflection!
It’s a very straightforward read with a lot of fun facts for fans of the movie (and the show!). I remember one of the reviews said it felt like Macchio was tooting his own horn a few times, which sure lol I get, but I really liked how he pointed out whenever he got self centered or had too big of an ego about his acting at times and how it affected him. It would be really cool to read more about that and his life in general in a memoir if he ever wanted to delve into that more imo!
I do wish we got a little bit more info on the sequel movies — Parts II and III are mentioned, but moreso in terms of the show and their effect there. I would have loved to know more about the process, as well as certain writing decisions. For example with Kumiko — Macchio himself mentions that one of the (bad LMAO) pitches for the show included him and Kumiko being married, and in another section mentioned that if he were to go back and explore an aspect of the movies it would have been Daniel going back to Okinawa and how the romances had been dropped. But, we don’t really have a written explanation on why that wasn’t included in the show or why Tamlyn Tomita didn’t show up until late into the series. I think those could have been really interesting things to have read, but I get that this was definitely more of a reflection on the first movie.
All in all this was a great book and I definitely recommend it t to fans of the Miyagiverse. You can tell that Ralph Macchio has a lot of love for the universe, Pat and Miyagi, and the continuation and legacy of these characters not just for his own character, but for the future generation, which is just wonderful to read and see.
It’s a very straightforward read with a lot of fun facts for fans of the movie (and the show!). I remember one of the reviews said it felt like Macchio was tooting his own horn a few times, which sure lol I get, but I really liked how he pointed out whenever he got self centered or had too big of an ego about his acting at times and how it affected him. It would be really cool to read more about that and his life in general in a memoir if he ever wanted to delve into that more imo!
I do wish we got a little bit more info on the sequel movies — Parts II and III are mentioned, but moreso in terms of the show and their effect there. I would have loved to know more about the process, as well as certain writing decisions. For example with Kumiko — Macchio himself mentions that one of the (bad LMAO) pitches for the show included him and Kumiko being married, and in another section mentioned that if he were to go back and explore an aspect of the movies it would have been Daniel going back to Okinawa and how the romances had been dropped. But, we don’t really have a written explanation on why that wasn’t included in the show or why Tamlyn Tomita didn’t show up until late into the series. I think those could have been really interesting things to have read, but I get that this was definitely more of a reflection on the first movie.
All in all this was a great book and I definitely recommend it t to fans of the Miyagiverse. You can tell that Ralph Macchio has a lot of love for the universe, Pat and Miyagi, and the continuation and legacy of these characters not just for his own character, but for the future generation, which is just wonderful to read and see.
tylerwis94's review
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
cutsajack's review against another edition
5.0
BONZAI!!!
This short yet poignant memoir delivers a great all-encompassing debrief on the author’s experiences throughout his life involving “The Karate Kid” franchise.
A great memoir.
5/5
Happy reading, everybody!
This short yet poignant memoir delivers a great all-encompassing debrief on the author’s experiences throughout his life involving “The Karate Kid” franchise.
A great memoir.
5/5
Happy reading, everybody!
sarahmmichael's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
2.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
aliceclaire_23's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
bronsonmh's review
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
I thought this was a great memoir about Ralph’s reflection on a time in his life that was very much impactful. His time on the Karate Kid movies and the reboot show. I listened to the audiobook where Ralph narrated it and loved it!