The Karate Kid Part III Reviews

More a sequel to the original than an extension of the action in Part II, THE KARATE KID PART III is half-hearted and very dull. It begins with a reprise of the climax of THE KARATE KID, as Daniel La Russo (Ralph Macchio) snatches tournament victory from the evil Cobra Kai karate dojo run by John Kreese (Martin L. Kove), whose philosophy is to win without mercy. Enraged at his students' loss, Kreese plots to get even with Daniel and his wise mentor, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), enlisting the aid of toxic-waste-dumping tycoon and martial-arts expert (Thomas Ian Griffith) who has an even wider mean streak. It all winds up with another tournament, where Daniel, though his relationship with Miyagi and his nonviolent martial-arts philosophy are tested in the interim, predictably kicks butt. Romance and bonsai trees also figure in this furthering of the Kid's story, which is becoming pretty absurd, especially since he seems to have permanently absorbed few of Miyagi's silly aphorisms ("You, like bonsai tree, have strong root!") and endless lessons on spirituality, discipline, and honor. Their relationship has become so predictable that there's little left to enjoy in PART III except the cartoonish bad guys--especially Griffith's over-the-top toxic-waste king, an unbelievably sadistic type who enjoys tilting his head back to laugh maniacally every three minutes or so, and who is one of few signs of life in this brain-dead movie.