The first Karate Kid film - which was extraordinary - had a lot of little elements which American teenagers could relate to. This sequel does not. But it has some other good aspects that work in a different way.
The basic story is that Miyagi learns his father is dying in Japan, so decides to travel there and see him one final time. Daniel decides to accompany Miyagi, partially to study Japanese cultures, but also to spend time with his friend Miyagi. When arriving in Japan, Miyagi runs into a childhood friend who later turned into his enemy, Sato, who holds a lifelong grudge against Miyagi for stealing his girlfriend as a teenager. Sato wants to arrange a fight to death against Miyagi, but is willing to wait until the death and mourning of Miyagi's father, out of respect. During this time, Daniel meets Sato's nephew Chozen (a Karate expert about Daniel's age) and major tension starts between the two of them. Also, Daniel meets a girl his age named Kumiko, and romance is started between them.
This movie has some beautiful scenery (although not really filmed in Japan, but Hawaii), some interesting words of wisdom from Miyagi, good music, strong performances, and decently choreographed fight scenes. I also enjoyed the story, I'd just note that - unlike the first movie - this movie is really more about Miyagi than Daniel.
But as a fan of the first movie, I really liked Elisabeth Shue's character, Ali, in the first movie, and wish she could have been included in this. I don't think Kumiko is as interesting a character as Ali, nor is her chemistry as strong with Daniel... The writers should have been able to think of some way to include her. Maybe Ali could have come to Japan to study Japanese cultures with Daniel? And spend time with her boyfriend? That's just my quick idea of how she could have been included in this movie. But it's too bad she wasn't.
In summary, I'd say if you really enjoyed the first movie, and grew fond of the two main characters (Daniel and Miyagi), then you'll enjoy seeing them together in a different interesting story (as long as you don't expect this to be equally as good as the first). But if you did not love watching the chemistry between them in the first film, then it's highly unlikely you'd enjoy this one any better.
The basic story is that Miyagi learns his father is dying in Japan, so decides to travel there and see him one final time. Daniel decides to accompany Miyagi, partially to study Japanese cultures, but also to spend time with his friend Miyagi. When arriving in Japan, Miyagi runs into a childhood friend who later turned into his enemy, Sato, who holds a lifelong grudge against Miyagi for stealing his girlfriend as a teenager. Sato wants to arrange a fight to death against Miyagi, but is willing to wait until the death and mourning of Miyagi's father, out of respect. During this time, Daniel meets Sato's nephew Chozen (a Karate expert about Daniel's age) and major tension starts between the two of them. Also, Daniel meets a girl his age named Kumiko, and romance is started between them.
This movie has some beautiful scenery (although not really filmed in Japan, but Hawaii), some interesting words of wisdom from Miyagi, good music, strong performances, and decently choreographed fight scenes. I also enjoyed the story, I'd just note that - unlike the first movie - this movie is really more about Miyagi than Daniel.
But as a fan of the first movie, I really liked Elisabeth Shue's character, Ali, in the first movie, and wish she could have been included in this. I don't think Kumiko is as interesting a character as Ali, nor is her chemistry as strong with Daniel... The writers should have been able to think of some way to include her. Maybe Ali could have come to Japan to study Japanese cultures with Daniel? And spend time with her boyfriend? That's just my quick idea of how she could have been included in this movie. But it's too bad she wasn't.
In summary, I'd say if you really enjoyed the first movie, and grew fond of the two main characters (Daniel and Miyagi), then you'll enjoy seeing them together in a different interesting story (as long as you don't expect this to be equally as good as the first). But if you did not love watching the chemistry between them in the first film, then it's highly unlikely you'd enjoy this one any better.
Tell Your Friends