It’s questionable whether the third Karate Kid film should have been made at all, given that Ralph Macchio, who plays Daniel, was almost 30. Despite this, the movie is still watchable, albeit for the wrong reasons. Many viewers find it humorous, although it was not intended to be a comedy. Despite its flaws, some people continue to enjoy the film, finding it entertaining in a “so bad, it’s good” way. I on the other hand think that The Karate Kid Part III is one of John G. Avildsen’s most lackluster attempts at the franchise.
How to Download The Karate Kid Part III
You can download the film from a digital store. You can also stream it. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice. Check out also the first two films from the series – The Karate Kid (1984) and The Karate Kid Part II (1986).
The Movie Review
Mr. Miyagi and Daniel return home after a trip to Japan, only to find that they are being targeted by John Creese, an old enemy. Creese has lost his students, his school, and his money, and has enlisted the help of Vietnam veteran Terry Silver to get revenge on Miyagi and Daniel. As they try to defend themselves against Creese’s attacks, Miyagi and Daniel must also confront the challenges of their own personal lives.
The script for this film is disappointing due to its overly exaggerated villainy and redundant character development, it feels almost like a comic book in terms of the maturity at display. Both Creese and Silver behave in a cartoonish manner, and it seems as though Daniel has not learned anything from the previous films. Despite these issues, Pat Morita’s performance is strong, and he seems appropriately tired of the whole situation throughout the film.
There is potential in the idea of a Vietnam veteran teaching Daniel the darker aspects of martial arts and challenging his naiveté. This could have been an opportunity to explore more complex themes and question the idealism of the first two films. However, this potential was not realized in the final product, which instead recycles the lessons from the earlier films in a confusing manner.
The ending is predictable but abrupt, leaving unresolved plot points. Overall, the script and story fall short of expectations.
I do appreciate that Mike Barnes is a strong and believable antagonist for Daniel. His reputation as a karate bad boy is well-earned, as he consistently defeats Daniel in their encounters. He is more intimidating and aggressive than his previous opponents, making him a formidable foe. Barnes is an effective villain in the film. Creese and Silver though, are just clowny characters rather than scary or intimidating.
It’s clear that the cast of this film is aware that it is not a high-quality production. Ralph Macchio’s performance lacks effort, while Thomas Ian Griffith and Martin Kove seem to be in on the joke, playing exaggerated, cartoonish villains. Their characters are overly focused on seeking revenge on a teenage boy for winning a karate tournament, and their actions seem absurd. In contrast, the first two films in the series had scripts that felt grounded in reality, which was a notable strength.
Despite its flaws, the film has several technical strengths, including competent cinematography, well-done editing, and a smooth pace with no lulls in the action. The filming locations are also satisfactory. As an action movie centered on karate, some viewers may have expected to see more fights, but the ones that are included are well-choreographed and executed.
The tension in these scenes is not as high as in previous films, but overall, the fight scenes are well done.
The Music
The music in the Karate Kid series, particularly in this film, composed by Bill Conti is some of his best work. The score during Daniel’s kata training is peaceful and memorable, while the music during the final fight scene is thrilling and leaves a lasting impression on the viewer. The music in the film enhances the emotional impact of the scenes and adds to the overall viewing experience.
Verdict
After following the success of the first two films in the series, the third installment falls short in terms of quality. The script and performances, with the exception of Pat Morita, are weak points in the film. While the cinematography and music are notable strengths, they are not enough to redeem the overall poor quality of the film. This installment fails to live up to the standards set by the first two films.
