This Blu-Ray release contains 1989's Karate Kid Part III and 1994's Next Karate Kid. These are probably the two "universally" thought of worst movies in the Karate Kid franchise. While Part II was an excellent follow-up to the original film that rivaled it in quality, these two most decidedly did not. I personally think Part III is worse than The Next Karate Kid, but they both fit nicely in the category of "hot garbage" for me.
Part III is the last movie with Ralph Macchio, who reprises his role as Daniel Larusso. It picks up shortly after he and Miyagi return from Okinawa. We are not really told how long that was, but long enough that the Cobra Kai dojo has essentially gone out of business. Most likely, it was set about 6 months after their return from Okinawa because the next All-Valley Tournament occurs at the end of the movie. Kreese (Martin Kove) has mounting bills and no students but is bailed out by his wealthy friend, Terry Silver, played in an extremely over-the-top way by Thomas Ian Griffith. Think 1990s Jim Carrey hammy overacting at its worst. They hatch a plan to get revenge on Daniel and Miyagi by having "The Bad Boy of Karate" (I kid you not), Mike Barnes (played by Sean Kanan) try to get Daniel to register for the tournament so he can take his title. Because, of course, he "needs" the title. Yes, the plot is that stupid.
The Next Karate Kid sees Hillary Swank take over the role of the Karte Kid and be taught by Miyagi. I will not even try to describe the nonsensical plot, but it is set in Boston, and the new Cobra Kai is a bunch of paramilitary high school students led by Michael Ironside, who essentially leads a security force at the local high school.
You definitely do not get these movies expecting cinematic greatness. Although, I know there are people out there who think they are quality films. In my opinion, they are good for a bit of nostalgia and laughing at the absurdity of the plots and the comically bad acting. The blu-ray transfers are not great quality at all, and there are no extras. Just the two movies on one disc. No behind-the-scenes material or even captions.
Part III is the last movie with Ralph Macchio, who reprises his role as Daniel Larusso. It picks up shortly after he and Miyagi return from Okinawa. We are not really told how long that was, but long enough that the Cobra Kai dojo has essentially gone out of business. Most likely, it was set about 6 months after their return from Okinawa because the next All-Valley Tournament occurs at the end of the movie. Kreese (Martin Kove) has mounting bills and no students but is bailed out by his wealthy friend, Terry Silver, played in an extremely over-the-top way by Thomas Ian Griffith. Think 1990s Jim Carrey hammy overacting at its worst. They hatch a plan to get revenge on Daniel and Miyagi by having "The Bad Boy of Karate" (I kid you not), Mike Barnes (played by Sean Kanan) try to get Daniel to register for the tournament so he can take his title. Because, of course, he "needs" the title. Yes, the plot is that stupid.
The Next Karate Kid sees Hillary Swank take over the role of the Karte Kid and be taught by Miyagi. I will not even try to describe the nonsensical plot, but it is set in Boston, and the new Cobra Kai is a bunch of paramilitary high school students led by Michael Ironside, who essentially leads a security force at the local high school.
You definitely do not get these movies expecting cinematic greatness. Although, I know there are people out there who think they are quality films. In my opinion, they are good for a bit of nostalgia and laughing at the absurdity of the plots and the comically bad acting. The blu-ray transfers are not great quality at all, and there are no extras. Just the two movies on one disc. No behind-the-scenes material or even captions.
No comments:
Post a Comment