The Karate Kid Part III
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Movie Reviews of The Karate Kid Part III
Movie Review: Not Perfect, But...
Summary: 3 Stars
3 1/2 would probably be more accurate. I think the biggest problem with this movie is not so much the content, as its bad timing. In the excellent Part 1, Daniel had to fight in a tournament to show he could stand up for himself. In the impressive Part 2, the stakes were raised, and Daniel had to fight for his life as well as the life of his friend. Part 3 has the difficult (if not impossible) burden of trying to create a plausible fear in Daniel over fighting in a tournament again after having fought a life and death battle. This movie would have probably done much better if it had been placed between 1 and 2. Moving on, the psychotic, but defanged Kreese goes back to his abandoned dojo and decides his situation is bleak enough to consider some new life. (Despite his psychotic cruelty in Part 1, we are permitted a moment of sympathy for him.) His friend Terry Silver promises revenge on Daniel and Myagi. While Kreese was psychotic, Silver is more of a smiling politician everready to backstab Daniel after winning his trust. Silver's plan is to hire this, for the lack of a better term (jerk) Mike Barnes to bully Daniel into a new tournament so Barnes can beat him publicly. (Kind of weak after the strong plots in parts I and II.) Barnes is REALLY the WEAK LINK in this movie. Unlike Part I's Johnny, Barnes has no redeeming moments to make him human. Unlike Part II's Chozen, Mike Barnes carries no charm. I may also add that we can speculate that Chozen (who Daniel beat in life and death) would have destroyed Barnes. Moving on, Silver's plan is to cause a rift between Myagi and Daniel, train Daniel himself, and watch him fall. Interesting, but there are flaws and questions. Why does Myagi refuse to train Daniel if he is being persued and threatened? Silver may be going against Myagi's training, but Silver is also giving Daniel a brutal edge he could use against Barnes. Without going on too long, Myagi + Daniel reconcile and we see the final conflict between the styles of Silver and Myagi. While III is not perfect, and certainly not as good as I or II, it is actually full of good moments as well as a theme on the corruption of the schools. I may also add that despite its faults, III is still much better than "The Next Karate Kid."Movie Review: Well, it couldn't have lasted forever
Summary: 3 Stars
After the surprising smash successes of the first two "Karate Kid" movies(even the first one was not expected to be a massive hit)the staleness starts to creep in to the continuing story in this, the series' third installment.
Back for his final time as Daniel Larusso is Ralph Macchio, practically grimacing his way through the cliched script. Also back are Pat Morita as Miyagi and Martin Kove as John Kreese, the violent leader of the Cobra Kai dojo in the first movie. Adding a new angle is Thomas Ian Griffith as Terry Silver, an old friend of Kreese's intent on helping him get revenge for his humiliation at the hands of Daniel and Miyagi. Additionally, Robyn Lively plays the obligatory love interest for Daniel, and Sean Kanan is Mike Barnes, the thickheaded mercenary brought in by Kreese and Silver to torment Daniel and take his karate championship.
The main positive point of this movie is in the script's reinforcement of the remarkable relationship between Daniel and Miyagi, whose chemistry and love for each other is as strong as ever. They even go into business together in this film, setting up a bonsai store, and the pain of later conflict is well-played by both actors. However, huge weak spots in the script include the Mike Barnes character. The presence of Martin Kove's Kreese underlines the absence of William Zabka's Johnny Lawrence, Kreese's main student and Daniel's top antagonist in the first film. Mr. Kanan just does not have the same magnetism or acting chops of his predecessor to make the similarity between the characters work in a positive way.
While I am a fan of the "Karate Kid" franchise, this movie should be found lacking in many respects. However, it is still better than the terrible "The Next Karate Kid." Still, this movie is simply not necessary after the first two classic films.
Movie Review: Kung Fu Hustle...
Summary: 3 Stars
And here's where the wheels started to come off. Macchio was in his late twenties when Part 3 went into production, and that's only the most obvious evidence that this unnecessary sequel was a low-rent money-grab of the flimsiest order. What's most noteworthy about Part 3 (indeed, it could be the only noteworthy aspect) is the hilarious cartoonishness of its villains. (I doubt that "cartoonishness" is an actual word, but I bet you understand its meaning. So that makes it a word.) Back from Part 1 (and the prologue of Part 2) is Karate Master Kreese, but if you thought HE was the pinnacle of prickitude, well you haven't seen anything yet. We also get Kreese's old army buddy, Terry Silver, who is A) an evil black-belt Karate Master, B) a cackling and self-admitted dumper of toxic waste (!), and C) played by Thomas Ian Griffith. PLUS there's a brutal new upstart in the world of tournament karate, so you just know that this kid's gonna get involved. AND we have sniveling henchman Snake...as played by the director's own son! Now that's one spooky legion of doom for anyone to face, let alone an elderly Asian man and the world's oldest teenager.
The best thing I can say about Part 3 is that it's a clear indication that SOME time and effort when into Part 2. Whereas the first sequel was just too quaint and familiar, Part 3 approaches the Karate Kid formula as if it's the world's last home-cooked meatloaf. There are only so many times we can see Daniel whimpering at the mistakes he's made while Miyagi stands around tossing out vague platitudes and wizened smiles. Part 3 trots out the same training montages, the same tournament finale, the same chaste little romance, the same 1980s cheeseball tunes, the same old song and dance. But this time it all feels cynical and hollow...which is NOT the vibe we still get from Part 1.
Movie Review: Watch, If Only For Miyagi/Daniel Relationship
Summary: 3 Stars
I won't beat around the bush here: At face value, this is a pretty poor film, not even in the same league as the first two installments. However, the touching relationship between Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Maccio) and Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) makes it a worthwhile addition to round out the trilogy.
For a basic plot summary, Karate Kid III sees the famous pair have a falling-out over Daniel's karate future. Without Miyagi's guidance, Daniel falls into a trap, requiring him to defend his karate championship (despite his wishes) one more time.
There are two major problems with this movie:
1. First, the plot is paper-thin and utterly ridiculous. You know Daniel will be competing at the film's climax the second you push play on your remote, so all the "will he, won't he drama" is irrelevant and boring. It doesn't help that the villain of the story is nothing more than a cackling goon with the stereotypical leather jacket and slicked-backed greaseball ponytail. He's more ridiculous than truly hateable.
2. Second, is the meaningless entry of yet another love interest for Daniel. This relationship goes absolutely nowhere and ultimately just wastes time that could have been spent more productively elsewhere.
Luckily, KK3 is somewhat redeemed by one bright spot: Miyagi's care for Daniel. Perhaps one of the best mentor-mentee relationships in film history reaches even greater depths here when Daniel's "karate faith" is tested to the maximum. Despite all the contrived drama, you'll still be emotional at film's end due to the touching emotional bond between the duo.
So, while this is easily the worst of the original Karate Kid trilogy, it is worth watching for the two title characters alone.
Movie Review: The Karate Kid Part III: The Revenge of Daniel LaRusso
Summary: 3 Stars
This film wasn't all that great. The best thing was the very happy ending. This film begins showing Daniel(Ralph Macchio) and Mr. Miyagi(Pat Morita) who come back to Reseda from Okinawa. You also see Kreese(Martin Kove) going to his rich lifetime friend Terry(Thomas Ian Griffth) for help. Terry tells him that strike back at Daniel and Mr. Miyagi for revenge. So Terry hires the vicious Mike Barnes(Sean Kanan) an aggressive Karate student. Meanwhile, Daniel buys Mr. Miyagi a Bonsai Shop andbecome partners there. Then Daniel meets Jessica(Robyn Lively) across the street and goes on a date with her that night. That night, guess who shows up? You guessed it. Mike Barnes. He wants Daniel to sign an applacation for the tournament. When Daniel refuses, Mike starts to cause trouble(Mess up the shop, Steal trees etc.). When Daniel finally signs, Mr. Miyagi won't help. So Daniel meets Terry and he offers to train Daniel. But Daniel dosen't realize that Terry is training him wrong. But when Mr. Miyagi says,"Bonsai tree have strong root. Same you. Inside you have strong root too Daniel-San.", Daniel deciedes to quit Terry's work. Then Daniel sees that Terry has been training Mike and that makes Mr. Miyagi the only one to train him. This was an O.K. movie. Possibly worst of the series.