This Dojo Has Mojo

Courtesy of IndieWire

Ever since I was a child, I've been a fan of The Karate Kid. I was almost eight years old when it came out, and I remember making my parents take me to see it more than once in the theater. Two years ago, I watched it again for the first time in ages, with my son (who was also eight at the time). I was reminded why I loved it so much and even got teary-eyed by the end. So I was excited to hear that there would be a new TV series as a sequel set 34 years later. It looked funny and interesting based on the trailer, but I wasn't prepared for how amazing it would be! If you haven't seen the trailer yet, watch it here:




Like what you saw? You can watch the first episode for free here. Hungry for more? YouTube Red has a free one-month trial. There are only 10 30-minute episodes. You'll breeze through them in a week. (Or a day, if you have five hours available for binge-watching.)

Not sure yet? Here are some reasons (in my opinion) to check it out:

*It captures the feel of the original movie. Even though it takes place in the present, I sometimes felt transported back to the 80's.

*There are flashback scenes from the original movie, which makes it fun to reminisce.

*It is really funny. There are times when it gets dark, but other times when it's impossible not to laugh out loud.

*It spins the story from the original movie on its tail, making Johnny into the good guy (even though he does have some moments where he is still unlikable) and Daniel into the bad guy (while he can be nice and fun at times, he also comes off as a jerk).

*Golf 'N Stuff is still around!

*They play this song again. I forgot how much I liked it.

*Samantha (Daniel's teenage daughter) is to this show what Nancy is to Stranger Things. Girl crush worthy. (The actress who plays her is in her early 20s.)

*The kid who played Victor in Parenthood is now a teenager and one of the main stars.

*If you are going through Mean Girls withdrawal, this show has the cure. Yasmine is the new Regina George.

*Seeing the underdogs triumph while working with Sensei Lawrence.

*Three words: Chad Brad Bradley. If you're a Fuller House fan, you'll recognize the actor in his new role as Johnny's son Robby.

*Daniel's wife, Amanda, is the voice of reason on the show. She keeps Daniel from going too far off the edge in his quest for vengeance against Johnny.

*Daniel's son, Anthony, reminds me of my 10 year-old son in personality. So if you want to see what I get to live with every day...

*You get to find out what Ali is up to, although I hope Elizabeth Shue will have a guest appearance in season two. If the actress who played Daniel's mother can come back, then anything is possible!

*Amazing fight scenes. I forgot to breathe from one of them and was overcome with emotion afterward.

*After each episode, you'll find yourself saying "such a great show!"

*Lots of interesting surprises in store.

*You have from now until 2019, when it will be back for season two!