Perhaps the most pointless of sequels, especially at that time, this is nothing compared to today. Sure, this one did get bad reviews for various reasons, but its nothing like any of the last 5 Resident Evil and Fast films. But it was a great update for any Karate Kid story for the franchise in 1989, during one of the greatest summers of movies. Of course, it was hard to compete with movies like Batman and Ghostbusters II.
The main plot of this movie is John Kreese (Martin Kove), whom we all remember as the leader of the Cobra Kai, plotting revenge for his loss that happened nearly a year ago from Daniel and Miyagi. We know how sick, unstable and bad-tempered Kreese is when he goes off on his student Johnny (William Zabka), which we see in the second movie, again shown in the third. Dwelling on it, he recruits his rich friend to help him get his man to beat Daniel in an upcoming match. Meanwhile, Daniel and his mentor move in together and open up a bonsai tree shop, while getting pricey ones.
I'll admit: it did lack a lot of edge. All we saw was a guy who held a grudge for Daniel and Miyagi, who he blamed for his business going down. Some say Daniel should have had another romantic situation but this near-romantic one was taken lightly in the story. It also didn't mention what Daniel would have wanted to do with his future, even if his college fund dough was used on the shop. I guess I would have to say it was a not-so-bad swan song to cap off the trilogy. (And no, I'm not counting The Next Karate Kid) Pat Morita passed away in 2005, ending all hopes for a reunion. Most of the cast reunited for a Youtube video: 'Sweep The Leg' by the band No More Kings. Despite of a few movies he was in (including My Cousin Vinny), it is safe to say Ralph Macchio is forever typecasted as The Karate Kid. I'm sure he don't mind, as explained a couple days ago, he's making the rounds now at Wizard World's Comic-Con.
My rating: 5 out of 10
In closing, here's a list I compiled years ago:
FIVE THINGS I LEARNED FROM WATCHING THE ORIGINAL KARATE KID TRILOGY:
1. No matter what, Miyagi is always right.
2. Sweep the leg.
3. No matter what, Daniel has no trouble with getting the girl.
4. Always help your enemy in the case of a bad situation.
5. Don't give in a fight unless necessary.
Showing posts with label pat morita. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pat morita. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Monday, April 7, 2014
04/07: The Karate Kid Part II
Thought I may as well continue on with the trilogy of The Karate Kid. Part II came out 2 years after. It made more money in the box office; however, its reviews weren't as great as the first. I do side with the mixed ones.
The 1986 sequel opens right where the last one left off, as Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Miyagi (Pat Morita) are leaving the karate competition. Six months passes and after the prom, Daniel's world crashes down just like that. From his girlfriend Allie to possibly moving to another part of California, he turns to Miyagi for help. They soon go to Okinawa, Japan after Miyagi finds out his dad is on deathbed. But Miyagi's past comes back to haunt him as memories as to why he fled the island in the first place come back. This is where we see a more personal side to the mentor: his past love of his life, Yukie, and the man who he was fighting over her with, Sato. Sato, the richest man in Okinawa, threatens to turn the island village upside down while challenging a fight with Miyagi. Meanwhile, Daniel makes an enemy of Chozen, Sato's nephew, and again, challenges him to a fight. Daniel also falls in love with Yukie's niece, Kamiko.
Pretty much almost the same story, different place and culture. It is nice to see it set where the origins of martial arts are. And also, the fact it is set in a more ancient culturistic place, even though it was shot in Hawaii not Japan. But there were some things that got my head scratchin'. What did Chozen really have against Daniel? The ice block scene I thought was a bit over-exaggerated. Did Daniel really get over Allie? Just the personal stuff, I guess. And that final fighting scene, among many others.
The movie didn't get hardly any accolades, or the opposite. It got the typical sequel treatment: could have been better, could have been worse, I guess. It did score an Academy Award nomination and a #1 hit with its love theme, 'Glory of Love', by former Chicago frontman Peter Cetera. I would recommend it if you really did like the first movie. Not bad for kids, as it sort of repeats the story.
My rating: 6 out of 10
The 1986 sequel opens right where the last one left off, as Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Miyagi (Pat Morita) are leaving the karate competition. Six months passes and after the prom, Daniel's world crashes down just like that. From his girlfriend Allie to possibly moving to another part of California, he turns to Miyagi for help. They soon go to Okinawa, Japan after Miyagi finds out his dad is on deathbed. But Miyagi's past comes back to haunt him as memories as to why he fled the island in the first place come back. This is where we see a more personal side to the mentor: his past love of his life, Yukie, and the man who he was fighting over her with, Sato. Sato, the richest man in Okinawa, threatens to turn the island village upside down while challenging a fight with Miyagi. Meanwhile, Daniel makes an enemy of Chozen, Sato's nephew, and again, challenges him to a fight. Daniel also falls in love with Yukie's niece, Kamiko.
Pretty much almost the same story, different place and culture. It is nice to see it set where the origins of martial arts are. And also, the fact it is set in a more ancient culturistic place, even though it was shot in Hawaii not Japan. But there were some things that got my head scratchin'. What did Chozen really have against Daniel? The ice block scene I thought was a bit over-exaggerated. Did Daniel really get over Allie? Just the personal stuff, I guess. And that final fighting scene, among many others.
The movie didn't get hardly any accolades, or the opposite. It got the typical sequel treatment: could have been better, could have been worse, I guess. It did score an Academy Award nomination and a #1 hit with its love theme, 'Glory of Love', by former Chicago frontman Peter Cetera. I would recommend it if you really did like the first movie. Not bad for kids, as it sort of repeats the story.
My rating: 6 out of 10
Sunday, April 6, 2014
04/06: The Karate Kid (1984)
As I write this, Wizard World's Comic Con in St. Louis is wrapping up for the weekend. Unfortunately I didn't go this year for different reasons, but of course I would have loved to have been there. I had a blast last year during its inaugural weekend in St. Louis. This year had a vast array of people as well as celebrities. William Shatner, Adam West, Burt Ward and Ralph Macchio were there to collect your hard-earned dough for autographs and photo ops. My biggest priority would have been Ralph Macchio, as I looked to him as a hero throughout my childhood. I sorta related to him, I thought....
I first watched The Karate Kid when I was little when my parents rented this back in the late 80s. I was so taken with it as I still am today. It's often looked at as a typical 'underdog-goes-over' movie, but somehow this film became an iconic 80s flick. And for a good reason. Maybe its the quotes ('Sweep the leg' 'Wax on, wax off'), or the chemistry between Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) and Daniel (Macchio), but it inspired a generation of wimpy, lack of self confidence guys to fend for themselves. Daniel uncomfortably relocates with his mother from New Jersey to Southern California, not fitting in at first. Sure, he makes a new friend and quickly hooks up with a girl (Elizabeth Shue). However, he is being harassed by bullies and it takes a moment to convince Daniel to take up karate lessons. He seeks mentorship from Miyagi, his apartment complex's maintenance guy. He learns little by little the moves, and he eventually learns to stand up to the bullies, led by Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka).
We see Daniel build to become a better person, as he slowly gains confidence in himself. But he has his girl to cheer him on, and only something like that can happen in the movies. The soundtrack is awesome, especially the fight song 'You're The Best' (by Joe Esposito). We also learn a bit about Japanese culture (more in the sequels), especially with Miyagi's background. It's pretty surreal I guess.
Definitely rent this one for the kids and teens. Or simply re-live your 80s experience with this one.
My rating: 9 out of 10
I first watched The Karate Kid when I was little when my parents rented this back in the late 80s. I was so taken with it as I still am today. It's often looked at as a typical 'underdog-goes-over' movie, but somehow this film became an iconic 80s flick. And for a good reason. Maybe its the quotes ('Sweep the leg' 'Wax on, wax off'), or the chemistry between Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) and Daniel (Macchio), but it inspired a generation of wimpy, lack of self confidence guys to fend for themselves. Daniel uncomfortably relocates with his mother from New Jersey to Southern California, not fitting in at first. Sure, he makes a new friend and quickly hooks up with a girl (Elizabeth Shue). However, he is being harassed by bullies and it takes a moment to convince Daniel to take up karate lessons. He seeks mentorship from Miyagi, his apartment complex's maintenance guy. He learns little by little the moves, and he eventually learns to stand up to the bullies, led by Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka).
We see Daniel build to become a better person, as he slowly gains confidence in himself. But he has his girl to cheer him on, and only something like that can happen in the movies. The soundtrack is awesome, especially the fight song 'You're The Best' (by Joe Esposito). We also learn a bit about Japanese culture (more in the sequels), especially with Miyagi's background. It's pretty surreal I guess.
Definitely rent this one for the kids and teens. Or simply re-live your 80s experience with this one.
My rating: 9 out of 10
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