I finally got around to rewatching The Next Karate Kid (for the Karate Kid series run), and I’ve got to say, it was quite the experience - though not exactly in a good way. The film brings back Mr. Miyagi, but this time he’s mentoring a new student, Julie Pierce, played by a young Hilary Swank. She’s a troubled teen dealing with the loss of her parents and some serious high school drama. Mr. Miyagi, being his wise old self, steps in to teach her karate and help her find her way. Swank does a decent job, and you can see the talent that would later win her those Oscars, but the chemistry between her and Pat Morita just doesn’t have the same magic as the original films.
Love watching movies? Follow us on Letterboxd!
One of the weirdest parts of the film is when Mr. Miyagi takes Julie to a Buddhist monastery to train. It’s a bizarre sequence with dancing monks and some pretty odd training methods that feel out of place. The villains in this one are also pretty forgettable - a bunch of one-dimensional ROTC bullies led by Michael Ironside, who, despite his usual intensity, doesn’t really get much to work with here. It’s like they tried to recreate the Cobra Kai magic but missed the mark.
The Next Karate Kid feels like an unnecessary addition to the series. It tries to recapture the spirit of the originals, but it falls short. There are a few fun moments and a bit of nostalgia, but the story and action just aren’t as engaging. If you’re a die-hard fan, you might still find some enjoyment, but for me, it’s a film that’s easy to skip. It’s more of a curious side note in the franchise, interesting mostly because it’s Hilary Swank’s early career rather than for anything it adds to the Karate Kid legacy.
TSHC Score: 4/10
Comments