The Next Karate Kid Reviews

• The best sequel of a classic

  
  By AEB45TKHZI37F on 2000-01-23
  There, I've said it. This one is the best, and the last, sequel. Considering its competition, though, that's not saying a whole lot. In fact, I wasn't planning on seeing this one, but my sister was watching it on Disney Channel, so I just sat down with her.

  Pat Morita is great as usual as Mr. Miyagi, but the whole monk thing was kind of disturbingly stupid, as was that Colonal Dugan club thing. The fight sequences were not very well choreographed, and the music was basically lifted directly from the first film.

  This is, however, a refreshing movie. Hilary Swank is very good as the "Next Karate Kid," an angry orphaned teenager who Mr. Miyagi takes under his wing. She is a convincing actress, and conveyed her emotions pretty well. The movie is worth watching for her alone. Unfortunately, most of the other acting falls on its face.

  The first half of the film plays off very well against the first karate kid, and it doesn't bore us with same old, same old in terms of karate instruction (most of the time). It skips over wax the car, etc... in just a few minutes. However, there still isn't that much thats new. Mr. Miyagi is still a veritable fountain of sayings and aphorisms, the kid excels against unbeatable odds against schoolkids, etc...

  Still, an enjoyable movie.
  
  

• The Next Karate Kid- Less of the Karate, More of the Kid!

  
  By A19RAJY6R7USN0 on 2003-03-26
  "The Next Karate Kid" is the fourth and as it stands final Karate Kid movie. Released in 1994, a few years after "The Karate Kid Part III", this movie no longer focuses on the Karate Kid Daniel and his relationship with his Karate teacher Mr Miyagi. It is unexplained but suffice it to say the original karate kid has grown up. In "The Next Karate Kid" we follow Mr Miyagi's relationship with a teenage girl named Julie and watch as she becomes the next karate kid.

  Julie (played by Hilary Swank who went on to win an Oscar for "Boys Don't Cry") is being bullied by boys at school who are following the violent teachings of their coach. Mr Miyagi (played by Pat Morita from the original Karate Kid movies) comes into her life and helps Julie learn courage and self respect through the use of karate and belief in oneself.

  In comparison to the other three Karate Kid movies, "The Next Karate Kid" is a lot less violent. The Karate Kid has been increasing the violence with each movie, but has gone the other way with this one, and is all the better for it. There is a lot less of the karate and a lot more of the kid! No longer does the karate kid become about the next fight scene or the major karate move taught by Mr Miyagi. In "The Karate Kid" Danny learnt the crane, in "The Karate Kid Part II" Danny learnt the driver punch and in "The Karate Kid Part III" Danny learnt the Miyagi family kata. These special moves were used at the end of each movie. In contrast, with "The Next Karate Kid" Mr Miyagi teaches Julie the tiger kick, but she doesn't need to use it in the final fight. In fact in this movie Mr Miyagi has the final fight. No longer is fighting the driving force of the movie, and I'm sure that's something Mr Miyagi would agree with since he hates fighting anyway.

  Here in "The Next Karate Kid" we are able to focus on the characters. And from that we can really feel for them when the fight scene does come. So if you are looking for a real karate action movie I suggest another movie. The fight choreography itself is sometimes a little poor, but it is all done by the same choreographer as the original Karate Kid movies so maybe he was just having a bad day. Mr Miyagi also appears to be having a bad day, because although he wins his fights fairly easily, he does look very old when fighting. I'm sure he used to kick higher and not lose his balance in the previous movies.

  Hilary Swank is truly fantastic as Julie. Hilary Swank makes you believe in Julie and her actions are perfectly credible through Hilary Swank's performance. Mr Miyagi is almost as much Mr Miyagi as he always was. I say this because some of what Mr Miyagi says is questionable. He says lines like "If must fight, win!" Not entirely sure Mr Miyagi would say that. Anyway this is down to the writing and not the wonderful performance from Pat Morita.

  For me, the movie did end kind of suddenly since I was expecting a bigger fight at the end. However this is based on my experience of the other karate kid movies. This fourth installment is very understated so be prepared for that.

  In conclusion, "The Next Karate Kid" is great and I'm glad it's on DVD.
  
  

• Fine movie but really not the series's sequel

  
  By A92XVSV8LADWZ on 2004-05-30
  If you love the Karate Kid series, you probably like the original casts, and you want to know what's going on with them after the first, second, and third sequels, and so on. You feel being with them and share their adventure one after anothers. That's what the series for. In this "The Next Karate Kid", Miyagi is the only one from original series casting. Although this movie is good and great performance from Hilary Swank (the new karate gal named Julie), it really does not fit in the series. It is more like a side story for Mr. Miyagi but mainly focuses on the new karate gal Julie. I'm a bit disappointed.
  
  

• �Fighting no good, but if must fight, win!�

  
  By A1G9FX1KV45N41 on 2003-11-17
  The Next Karate Kid
  
  Miyagi Yakuga (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) is called on for help, by the widow of an old war buddy.
  She doesn't know what to do with her pretty but rebellious teenage granddaughter, after the recently orphaned girl was put in her care.
  Meanwhile the girl, Julie, has her own troubles with a gang of local thugs at her school, led by a sadistic sports coach, while keeping her pet, a lame hawk hidden in the school grounds.
  Her own love interest, a boy named Eric, is involved in the same battle with the gang called the Alpha elite.
  Mr Miyagi knows just what to do, and the first thing is to teach Judy some self-discipline and inner calm.
  The best line in the movie comes from Mr Miyagi, and isn't it the truth?
  
  `Fighting no good, but if must fight, win!'
  
  

• don't bother

  
  By on 2000-11-28
  What can I say? I liked the first, I liked the second, didn't care for the third. Thought this one sucked - bad.

  No, it has nothing to do with the "kid" being a girl. The story was terrible. It has nothing in common with the previous three other than Pat Morita who did a fine job in his return as Mr. Miyagi. Hillary Swank may be a decent actress but the character she plays in this movie comes off as irritating and stupid (duh....Mr Miyagi!).

  If I could have given this less than 1 star I certainly would have.
  
  

• WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?!
  By A21GP5DQVQTS7V on 2002-07-05
  This is a very, stupid sequel, including now that the Karate Kid is a girl (Hilary Swank). The violence was [weak], with no onoemotopeia, and I didn't hear any mild language. I give this [weak] sequel 1 star.
  
  
• BETTER THAN THE OTHER SEQUELS! ENJOYABLE!
  By A1ER6IYOMM8VCT on 2007-08-03
  This film just edged out Karate Kid part 2 as a better movie. Pat Morita and Hilary Swank(in an early role)do their best in this fairly good and enjoyable sequel. I would give it 3 1/2 stars. The DVD transfer looks very good. I found the box set for the price of the first film,so it was worth buying the set.
  
  
• YEAAAHHH....
  By A1RB1OEZ575VWD on 2003-07-22
  This wasn't a bad movie--it wasn't the best either. Yes I will watch it when it's on tv, but other than that I can do without it. Opposed to what others have said, i think that KK3 was better than this one. To me that one had a lot of emotion.
  
  
• I Wish I had Courage Like You!
  By A3TF8ZZ0S5UWTL on 2005-11-04
  Can anyone who has seen The Next Karate Kid please explain to me the nature of the film's villains? The look like a professional security force, they act like a WWF tag-team, they tromp around school like they've got full diplomatic immunity...they even have a drill sergeant. In high school. I just don't get it.
  
  Anyway, these guys don't like young Julie Pierce, so they terrorize her repeatedly - and they even come dangerously close to what we, nowadays, would call "rape." All Julie wants is to be left alone with her beloved crippled hawk (Kes?), godammit! Julie's well-intentioned grandmother is at the end of her granny-rope, so she enlists the aid of old family friend Mr. Miyagi. Given that this is now the fourth time we've met Mr. Miyagi, and we've never once seen him interact with a teenage girl, the viewer is left to wonder if this arrangement is such a grand idea. But wouldn't you know it? The brusque and bouncy Julie slowly warms up to the adorable Mr. Miyagi, and yadda yadda, etc.
  
  To quote one of the wise sages who comment at the IMDb, The Next Karate Kid is "the pits." Hilary Swank must cringe whenever she sees the flick pop up on cable; indeed, she's the one thing that makes The Next Karate Kid worth seeing. Not because she gives a particularly excellent performance (although she's better than the material deserves), but because this is such a GOOFY movie. For no good reason the flick takes a 20-minute detour into a freakin' monastery, for cryin' out loud! Plus this is a film in which Mr. Miyagi goes shopping for a PROM DRESS! Gee, anyone think we're just blatantly pandering to the "other" demographic at this point? Then just wait till the Hi - larious scene in which Mr. Miyagi walks in on Julie while she's changing...and he almost sees her boobies! Never thought I'd say it but...where's Daniel-san these days? Surely he could still be in need of some wise advice.
  
  Anyway, Julie gets a date, grows some confidence, and kicks the ass of head bully #1. Also there's Michael Ironside as an evil high school sergeant who is apparently invisible to cops. Miyagi helps kick his butt at the end.
  
  
  
• The Return of Mr. Miyagi.
  By A96K1ZGW56S2I on 2002-03-28
  Though this film isn't as good as the first two KARATE KID movies, it is just as good if not better than KARATE KID III. In this film, Mr. Miyagi takes a trip out East to receive a special commendation from the President for his unit's extraordinay achievements during WWII. He stays over at the home of the widow of his former best friend. The woman is having a difficult time raising her granddaughter, Julie, who was orphaned after her parents were killed in a car accident. Mr. Miyagi suggests she take a trip to California and stay at his place on a vacation while he stays and takes care of her home and her granddaughter. Other than being fiercely angry at life, Julie is also having problems at school and is being harassed by the school's administratively supported bullies, the Alph Elite. Through the tutoring of Mr. Miyagi, Julie is able to control her anger and find focus in her life.

  Hillary Swank pulls off a believable and emotionally-deep performance as Julie Pierce. The role needn't required so much depth, but her character reminds one of the girl next door.

  However, as good as Swank is, the real reason to see this film is Pat Morita. It's great to see Mr. Miyagi again. His character reminds me of a real life Yoda. As long as the story is decent, one can't get enough of a great character like him. There are also some great quotes in the movie. My personal favorite is "Never trust a spiritual leader who can't dance." A fun movie that is surprisingly enjoyable.
  
  

• Christopher Cain's The Next Karate Kid/The Karate Kid IV
  By A1V7JA3W5T6E5K on 2002-10-06
  This was just as good, if not better, than The Karate Kid Part III. This is about Mr. Miyagi(Pat Morita) who flys out to Boston to visit his old friend's wife Louisa(Constance Towers). Louisa dosen't get along with her grandaughter Julie Pierce(Hilary Swank), so she deciedes to take a break from Julie and puts Mr. Miyagi in charge. At school, a boy named Ned(Michael Cavalieri) from a group named the Alpha Elite, harasses Julie, while she befriends Eric McGowan(Chris Conrad) who joined the Alpha Elite, which is lead by Col. Dugan(Michael Ironside). Then one day, Julie is caught trying to feed a hawk on the school roof and is suspended for two weeks. While she is suspended, Mr. Miyagi and Julie go somewhere to visit Miyagi's old friends. There, Mr. Miyagi teaches Julie some of the same things that he taught Daniel. When they return, Eric asks Julie to the prom. Meanwhile, Ned is mad at Eric for quiting the Alpha Elite. After the dance, Ned taunts Eric and ruins his car. Eric and the Alpha Elite get into a fight. Then Julie comes and trys to stop Ned from teasing her once and for all.....
  
  
• weeeeeeeeeee
  By A26HPKPPXNMWN on 2003-09-21
  This is 10 times better than Karate Kid III, and worth watching if only to see Hilary Swank. She's adorable in this movie.
  
  
• THEY WENT TOO FAR NOW
  By A1G5LJ8T1IGYC5 on 2004-08-12
  THIS TIME AROUND, MR. MIYAGI [PAT MORITA] TEACHES A YOUNG GIRL [FUTURE OSCAR WINNER HILARY SWANK] SELF-DISCIPLINE AND MARTIAL ARTS. NOW, THIS WAS JUST TOO MUCH. THIS MOVIE IS SILLY, BORING, AND VERY UNNECESSARY. IF THEY EVER DO A 5TH KARATE KID MOVIE, I'LL BE SO DAMNED.
  
  
• Here we go again! Just not acceptable!
  By A3CSVIU1QHBYPJ on 2005-03-15
  Caught this the other night on Cable...
  Now I don't want to seem like I am always bashing the Karate kid franchise but they honestly "milked that cow" til it was dry. I am surprised they didn't come with a part 5 with Miyagi's nephew or next door neighbor in need of "discipline" because he was getting beat up by the "Crips" or "bloods" gangbangers or something...then again that would make an interesting NEW story hmmmmm?
  
  This "Next Karate Kid" was really boring (I don't understand how some viewers are giving 3 stars and have the word "boring" in the same summary.
  
  Hilary Swank looks really young with her bangs an all(I don't know if this was her first movie but you can tell that she was an "authentic" actress in training)She did pretty good..in a silly role.
  
  Pat Morita as always does a exellent job...with what he has in terms of script. But the movie just seemed like De ja vu. Tons
  of the dialogue and scenarios were just too much the SAME thing as the first Karate Kid. I don't know too many high school tough guys who go around picking on pretty girls...most of the time they are "Picking" them up.
  
  The "tough teens" were too old to be highschool students.
  They did NOT need this version girl or guy.
  
  I kept repeating to myself "god this is stupid",
  I forced myself to watch the rest because I like to finish
  what I start. Stupid ending...I waited it out for nothing.
  This could have been one of those "Disney TV movie of the week"
  things but no, for the sake of Pat Morita's career they pushed it in the theaters. They tried to appeal to the new "90's" generation but no one cared.
  
  Please no more Karate kid sequels or spin-offs.
  This movie is already being used for "landfill fodder".
  
  
  
• HORRIBLE
  By AHPN4LOKQQW8L on 2005-05-24
  If there were anyway to give this movie -5 stars I would. Terrible acting and TERRIBLE story. Seen this story once, seen it a thousand times. Must say VERY disappointed. 2 Thumbs down plus everyone else I know that seen this movie, their thumbs down as well. I would avoid buying the box set JUST to not own this movie.
  
  
• Who Says The Good Guy Has To Be A Guy?
  By A3AEYDNYCWH2IZ on 2005-08-28
  My kids were very happy to find this one at Wal-Mart for $5.50 and so was I. I LOVED this one, mainly because of the girl factor. A young Hilary Swank makes a great karate kid!
  
  
• Terrible movie, but I love it
  By A2879ZDXJVG5ZB on 2005-04-13
  Taken seriously, this movie sucks. The story is forced, the characters are ridiculously over the top, and any scene with the monks is just bad. It's almost painful to watch this movie. Some of the lines are laughable. When Julie (Swank) challenges the bully to fight, she says, "If I'm ever going to respect myself, I need to do this." Um, okey dokey. There are several lines which are just as bad. The villain characters are laughably unbelievable, especially Col. Dugan. Why would any school have a team of bullies like the Alpha Elite? Nothing makes sense in this movie. The bowling part with the monks hurts to watch. Swank looks pretty hot at times, manly in others.
  
  
• Horrible film transcended by hot young talent
  By on 1999-11-11
  Though "The Next Karate Kid" was an undeniably bad movie (Mr. Miyagi is Arnold from Happy Days, for Christ's sake!) it serves one much needed purpose: to serve as a springboard for promising young star Christopher Beam. Christopher propelled this movie foreward with his amazingly purposeful and affecting performance. His decidedly increible acting ability, combined with his boyish good looks, will surely launch his soon to be sizzling hot career.
  
  
• Excellent martial-arts flick!
  By A1K95IW5MZ9X00 on 2001-07-12
  THE NEXT KARATE KID, in my opinion, is an excellent martial-arts flick. I thought that Eric (Chris Conrad) and Julie (Hilary Swank) looked good in their prom attire. Ned (Michael Cavalieri) was a real BULLY in my opinion. This was because he got Julie in trouble with Principal Wilkes (Eugene Boles). If you ask me, Colonel Dugan (Michael Ironside) was a pure A******! This was because he was a VERY harsh man who wouldn't tolerate mistakes. My favorite parts were the prom and the showdown between Julie and the Alpha Elite. In conclusion, I HIGHLY recommend this smash hit to all of you who like martial-arts flicks or are fans of Hilary Swank.
  
  
• A FILM FOR THE MASSES
  By ANQ1QK97W2Z80 on 2001-10-16
  Some waited on line for the 4th installment of that "other" series (Star Wars), but when this film came out, me and my comrades were online at the theatre for days and we were not disappointed when we finally got in to see the premiere, what with our Miyagi Dojo tatoos blazzoned on our chests. WE WERE NOT DISAPPOINTED. This is the best in the epic Karate Kid series and that is saying a lot. This one becomes the best because there is an underlying message not evidenced in the first. Oscar-winner Hilary Swank turns in her best performance as the orphaned student who high-kicks her way into the heart of the viewer. Some said Noriyuki "Pat" Morita was typecast, but he is not playing a role anymore. He has BECOME Miyagi. What Morita has said with his stunning role in this dramatic masterpiece is, Miyagi cannot rest until the Kobra Kai has been fully eliminated from the world through use of Miyagi's Christ-like diplomatic karate approach. Miyagi is a messiah for our time... and for Hollywood in general. The fact that there is no longer a mental distinction between Morita and Miyagi is evidence enough for the world. We will not be bullied into the John Creese mentallity and we will follow Miyagi (the greatest martial arts character since Bruce Lee's work) wherever he may lead us. Fans take heart, as we have proven with this film, the karate kid series will not be stopped by the mere fact that the title character has moved on to other things. In today's society we need a karate kid... a next karate kid!
  
  
• SO much better than the third movie!
  By A2R4HK5ZJKL0UH on 2002-04-28
  I am SO glad that this one was not as bad as KK3. The plot is interesting, Mr. Miyagi is acting like himself again, and Hillary Swank is a great actress. The very beginning was a little shaky, but after that the movie became very good.

  This movie has the idea of the first one somewhat, but featuring a quick-tempered girl, Julie. Mr. Miyagi is staying at her house while her grandmother goes to his house for some peace and quiet. Miyagi first has to earn Julie's respect during his stay. While he is there, he teaches her Kata for self-defense against a guy she hates, as well as how to dance for the upcoming prom. It may sound cliché, but when you see it you will like it.

  Mr. Miyagi also takes Julie to a Buddhist monastery, with monks who turn out to be quite humorous. The best part is when they visit Julie's house and go "Zen bowling" on her prom night.

  Overall, this was a great comeback from the horrible KK3. The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five is nothing can truly match up to the original Karate Kid. My advice? Buy the DVD of this one and the original, skip KK2 and KK3. This is the perfect sequel for the first one, as it does not ruin the charactars.
  
  

• Missing Something
  By AEJNJDPCNIKZ2 on 2005-12-21
  This movie was alright but it is seriously lacking something. I watched it when it came out on VHS and I kept on waiting for Daniel to show up or hell be mentioned but in this movie it was as though he never exsisted and isn't Daniel supposed to be living with his mentor in CA? So if this is the case and his mentor sent the grandmother to CA to his house shouldn't he have warned her about Daniel being there at least? They could have mentioned what happend to Daniel but in this movie they totally scratch him out and this movie is lacking because of it. Another thing is this movie doesn't touch the other three in any way shape or form. Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio had an on screen chemistry that you just couldn't denye was there and it made the movies all that much better but Pat and Hilary don't have that same chemisty that made Pat and Ralph such a great acting team and it shows in the movie. Also the other Karate Kid movies each have a theme to them especially the second one and this one leaves you with no theme what so ever except bullies always get what they deserve in the end which is a tad over done by this installment and the fight scene at the end is a little over done as I think they were aiming for the same affect they had in the Karate Kid II but they missed it by a long shot. Over all this movie is pretty good. Has some good moments but it should not have been a stand a lone movie all on its own in my opinion as it could have been much better then.
  
  
• Squish just like grape
  By A2YM3KILJ1G0YJ on 2008-06-06
  Teen Wolf II. Revenge of the Nerds II. Speed II. Dumb and Dumberer. Friday the 13th VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan. Rocky V. What do all these movies have in common with The Next Karate Kid? They're all sequels that should have never been made. The first indication that this movie was a bad idea is that Macchio passed on it.
  
  Hilary Swank plays Julie-san, a girl bullied in her high school. She's got anger issues, family issues, and the team of tough-guy jocks called the Alpha Elite does not help the situation at all. Despite the unlikely scenario of a high school boy's club that practices martial arts and enforces discipline/rules throughout the school, the odds of them picking on a single girl are even more unlikely. The odds of a girl beating up the leader of that group gets into the preposterous territory.
  
  Aside from those obvious flaws, this movie is simply not that good. Nobody really wants to see Karate Kid I all over again with Hillary Swank playing the part of Ralph Macchio. Nothing against Swank, but she was simply an actress learning her way at this point, and this ridiculous, recycled role did nothing to help her out. And the addition of monks who bowl with their eyes closed surely didn't help.
  
  It's a wretched sequel. Pat Morita and Hillary Swank may be good actors, but the idea to make this movie is as bad as playing with fireworks in an arid forest.
  
  
• Hillary Swank is grate in this movie.
  By A37TMAOU7FOWSQ on 2000-04-02
  I think that it a boring so so movie no wonder this movie is barley reconised but I just saw it because I really like Hillary Swank and her peformince in boys dont cry got grate reviews so I figured I would see this first before I waist my money in the theter sinse that is more money. And know I really want to see that movie because her perfomince is grate.
  
  
• The modern Karate Kid
  By A23AS2KJW6ZV21 on 2000-04-05
  This was one of the best movies I have seen! Though not as good as the original, it does carry on the meaning of "The Karate Kid". This movie has a new modern twist to it! I think everyone will enjoy this movie.
  
  
• Japanese culture, meet teenage spunk!
  By on 1999-07-21
  Mr. Miyagi sure needs to learn a lot about girls. In this movie, a girl named Julie Pierce, who is having a lot of grief over the death of her parents killed in a car accident, learns karate from Mr. Miyagi, who has previously taught Daniel LaRusso. Julie learns it to defend herself against Ned and his friends of her school's Alpha Elite (which I consider a very STUPID organization). The ending is (and should be) the best part of the whole movie, especially after Eric gets beat up by Ned and his "little buddies." When Mr. Miyagi fights Colonel Dugan, he teaches him a lesson about the true concept of fighting. The content may seem boring in the beginning, but it becomes better as it nears the end of the movie.
  
  
• Abit too contrived for my taste.
  By A2Q83B645CR265 on 2004-12-20
  Not a very good movie at all. The acting was average , the script was contrived and so was the plot. It was a boring movie. Sorry but i think it's time to stop with the wipe on wipe off bit.
  
  
• milked the cow to death
  By A1TUHGI4B5A5XB on 2008-01-26
  To be honest I COMPLETELY hated this movie. It was so contrived and it actually ruined the series for me. I mean what "tough guy crew" picks on girls for fun. So lame.
  Not to mention I prefered the characters that we came to love. If there was some reason they couldn't include Ralph Macchio, they shouldn't have made another. Nothing against Hilary Swank but I hated this film. Please don't watch.
  
  
• Is this the end?
  By on 1998-12-20
  Is this the end of the sequel, it's the fourth film, and a somewhat good one. Hilary is, whithout any doubt, the most skilled fighter in the sequel. The film is centered around her, and exploits the fact that she's a woman to give us some good comedy moments. But what it's lacking here is that mystical atmosphere that nº1 & 2 gave us. It just doesn't make it at that level. Even so, it's a very entertaining movie, much better than the 3rd one. I think it's time to put an end to the never-ending sequel now. The theme was very exploited, let's leave it as it is.

  Time to move on to other ideas. Why not make a memorable film of martial arts in a time where using your empty-hand technique was the only means of defence in Okinawa, and in a time that when you fought one of the 2 could surely die.
  
  

• A very good movie--beautiful new actress, great action, etc.
  By on 1999-08-24
  Very entertaining AND instructive. Whatever happened to the female lead? She is HOT!

  This movie makes a fitting conclusion to the Karate Kid series, but I would like to see just one more--with this cast or along this theme. There's a metaphysical aspect to many of the scenes, and the electricity seems to flow off the screen.
  
  

• The Karate Kid Part III
• The Karate Kid II
• The Karate Kid (Special Edition)
• The Karate Kid Collection (Four Film Set)
• Wish Upon a Star