"It's okay to lose to opponent, must not lose to fear." - Mr. Miyagi
I’ll be honest, I really enjoyed this film and yes, I feel Terry Silver is a great villain. Before starting the final season of Cobra Kai (on Netflix), I planned on watching the remaining Karate Kid movies and sharing my thoughts.
So continuing the flow, I rewatched "The Karate Kid Part III" and found myself swept up in a mix of nostalgia and drama. Ralph Macchio returns as Daniel LaRusso, and Pat Morita is back as Mr. Miyagi, both characters we’ve come to love. Directed by John G. Avildsen, the film brings us back to Los Angeles and the familiar setting of the All Valley Tournament, but with a bit of a darker twist this time around.
The story picks up with Daniel and Mr. Miyagi returning from Okinawa, only to find things have changed. Daniel’s apartment building has been sold, and his mom moves back to New Jersey to take care of a sick relative, so Daniel ends up staying with Mr. Miyagi. Together, they decide to open a bonsai shop, which sounds peaceful enough until the old Cobra Kai dojo reappears to stir things up.
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John Kreese, played by Martin Kove, is back with a grudge. He’s teaming up with his wealthy and manipulative buddy, Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith), who has a knack for cooking up sadistic plans. Silver’s big scheme? To force Daniel into defending his karate title by making his life miserable. He even hires Mike Barnes (Sean Kanan), a ruthless fighter, to push Daniel to his limits.
Ralph Macchio does a great job showing Daniel’s more mature side, grappling with anger and confusion as he faces these new challenges. Pat Morita is as wonderful as ever as Mr. Miyagi, bringing his usual wisdom and calm amidst the chaos. Their relationship is still the heart of the movie.
Thomas Ian Griffith is a standout as Terry Silver. His performance is so over-the-top that it’s almost cartoonish, but it’s definitely entertaining. His exaggerated menace makes for some memorable scenes. Sean Kanan as Mike Barnes is convincingly tough, adding real stakes to Daniel’s journey.
While the film tries to capture the magic of the original, it doesn’t quite hit the mark in some areas. The romantic subplot with Robyn Lively’s character, Jessica Andrews, doesn’t really add much to the story. Plus, the film’s themes of loyalty, honour, and personal growth get overshadowed by all the melodrama.
Despite its flaws, The Karate Kid Part III has some genuinely emotional and exciting moments, especially in the action scenes. The training montages and the final tournament showdown are well done, showing off the characters’ physical and emotional struggles.
TSHC Score: 7.8/10
The Karate Kid Part III is a bit of a mixed bag. It offers some nostalgic moments and solid performances, particularly from Morita and Griffith, but it doesn’t quite live up to the legacy of the first film. It tends to fall into predictable storytelling and exaggerated villainy.
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