Cobra Kai has a fondness for incorporating musical nods to the 1980s, however, in the first part of Season 6, the series pays tribute to a particularly terrible 1990s action film.
Johnny Lawrence has a deep love for the rock music and hair metal that defined his glory days, as evidenced by his affinity for the Cobra Kai soundtrack. Additionally, he is a devoted follower of 1980s and ’90s action films, particularly those featuring iconic actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone.
Johnny also has a strong affinity for those direct-to-video movies that showcased the talents of Steven Seagal, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Michael Dudikoff.
In the last episode of Season 6 Part 1, he instructs the students of Cobra Kai using beer bottles and offensive dummies. However, he also shows them a specific film, Best of the Best 2, which is meant to motivate and instill self-belief in his students.
Explaining Best of the Best 2
In 1993, Best of the Best 2 was released as an action sequel, featuring Eric Roberts and Chris Penn as its stars.
The initial film, which debuted in 1989, featured the aforementioned actors as well as James Earl Jones, Sally Kirkland, and Louise Fletcher. The plot followed a group of American fighters who traveled overseas to participate in a martial arts competition, similar to the storyline of Season 6 of Cobra Kai.
“The sequel Best of the Best 2 centers on the characters’ comeback, as Penn’s character meets his demise in an underground fight club and Roberts’ character steps into the ring to seek revenge.”
The original Best of the Best movie received a 33% score on Rotten Tomatoes, while its sequel only has a 10% score. According to one critic quoted in the Austin Chronicle, the second movie is unintentionally humorous in its storytelling. Another critic writes that while Best of the Best 2 may not
Despite being a disappointment in theaters and receiving negative reviews, the sequel eventually gained popularity through video releases. This led to the creation of two more sequels, which were even more poorly received.
Johnny Lawrence, a fan of the film, also inspires his students to emulate Eric Roberts from the series. The creative team behind Cobra Kai also took notice, naming Episode 5 of Season 6 ‘Best of the Best.’
To learn more about the show, take a look at the Cobra Kai release schedule, as well as information on the contents of Mr. Miyagi’s box. Additionally, discover how the unexpected twist in Season 6 Part 1 sets the stage for a major confrontation in the future.
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