The Next Karate Kid (1994)

Just so...so bad

hyped garbage

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Mr. Miyagi is back and he takes a new pupil under his wing; a troubled adolescent girl. The Next Karate Kid is definitely a film that i think gets alot of hate for truly no reason, first of all Hilary Swank? was pretty damn great and i actually enjoyed her character way more than whatever the hell Ralph Macchio was portraying in The Karate Kid Part III plus once again Pat Morita gives a terrific perfomance as Mr. Miyagi and i really enjoyed seeing Michael Ironside in a villain part again. Sure it's not the best in the series but it's 100 times better than Part III. (10/10) (A)

The film wasn't too bad; in fact, it was pretty decent. I'd say it was on par with the third one. I like the title of this movie "The next karate kid" instead of calling it Part IV or something. I also like the idea that the film focuses on a female character - that was a good idea especially considering the previous three movies focuses on a male character. Not only that, but I also liked that it was Hilary Swank that was chosen to lead the female role, and I don't think anyone else could've done it any better. She was really popular back then. She did a fine role in this film. This is a film that is probably geared towards the female audience I reckon. The first two films were really good. The third and fourth movies were the weak entries, but at the same time, it wasn't too shabby either. I enjoyed all four movies. All four of these karate kid movies were part of my childhood. Yes! I'm also a fan of martial arts, so that makes it even more worthwhile to watch.

For me, this is a perfect movie: a neat story, inspired by true and strong values and told by a cool and talented cast! I have always like stories about teens / young adults seeking for themselves as I never reach the next level too: so with this kind of story, you can find direction and that's better than nothing… To get to the point, Hillary was just excellent because she seems to be born to become an actress so she is already believable when she played the teen-girl! In addition, she is fit and agile enough to do the kick and for sure she is charming and polite… To work, the team needs also a sincere mentor and Pat Morita is just perfect: always simple, straight… The zen Japanese session they took in the country may be unlikely like all the story with the always bad and grumpy Ironside but I don't care as you can find breath and wisdom. In fact, it's almost a zen movie: just a simple story with little things and that's what life is about… For sure those who seek violent bloody fight are surely disappointed but I think that the final confrontation was indeed perfectly done: it's about focus and will and not about bruises… I expect to find bad reviews about it but I don't care: in a medium filled with stupid violence, a movie like this one can't be welcomed and it's a real pity!

The widow of Mr. Miyagi's commanding officer from WWII is having trouble with her granddaughter Julie (Hilary Swank). Both her parents died in a car accident and she's angry at everyone. Miyagi helps mentor her while her grandmother is away. The school is being dominated by a group called Alpha Elite run by Col. Dugan (Michael Ironside). Meanwhile she's trying to heal a wounded hawk on the school's roof.The villain is unnecessarily over the top. Michael Ironside is a good actor. He doesn't need to do that. Hilary Swank is already a pretty good actress. The lead guy is a bit of a muscle head, and not a particularly good actor. Other than the silly paramilitary organization of high school kids, the story is pretty good. Miyagi has some fun comedy with a girl this time. It's funny to see him having to struggle to connect with the kid. Although there are some really weird scenes like the monks dancing, bungee jumping prom, and Miyagi teaching Julie to dance. The movie really needs to scale back some of these crazy stuff.