It feels like 80's movies are coming out all the time that I've never seen. Overall a fun movie with a fun soundtrack. The karate kid is playing guitar in what starts as Whiplash meets The Wizard/Green Book. Some of Macchio's playing is real and/or he is emulating the fret placement and technique taught by the incredibly talented work of Arlen Roth who was the music consultant and Macchio's teacher. The casting of the trio and characters keep the journey alive.