The Next Karate Kid

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The Next Karate Kid

PG

1994

1h 44m

Kids & Family

Drama

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Popcornmeter

7%

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28 Reviews

24%

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50,000+ Ratings

Karate master Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) goes to Boston to attend a military reunion. There, he visits with Louisa (Constance Towers), the widow of his former commander, and meets her granddaughter, Julie (Hilary Swank). Julie's parents were recently killed in a car accident, and she is still reeling from the loss. When Julie surprises Miyagi with her knowledge of karate, he takes her to a Buddhist monastery for training and to help her come to terms with her angst.

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Critics Consensus

The Next Karate Kid is noteworthy for giving audiences the chance to see a pre-Oscars Hilary Swank, but other than a typically solid performance from Pat Morita, this unnecessary fourth installment in the franchise has very little to offer.

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John Hartl

Seattle Times

The Next Karate Kid is harmless as children's entertainment, but for 104 very long minutes, there isn't a recognizable human being in sight.

Rated: 1.5/4

Jun 14, 2013

Full Review

Chris Willman

Los Angeles Times

The overt message of any Karate Kid movie: Don't fight unless you absolutely have to. The implicit message: You'll always have to. Let the smitings begin!

May 22, 2013

Full Review

Carrie Rickey

Philadelphia Inquirer

While the message that a girl can defend herself against the boys threatening her is a good one, it's lost in a movie where the bullies look like Mussolini's bodyguards and where Julie waits for her boyfriend and Miyagi to come to her defense.

Rated: 1.5/4

May 22, 2013

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Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

Heavy-handed...

Rated: 2/4

Mar 1, 2022

Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

An irrelevant foot note in the "Karate Kid" series that can be overlooked if only for being so vanilla.

Aug 7, 2014

Full Review

David Parkinson

Radio Times

A few pre-prom dance lessons are the only significant departure from the tried and tested chop-socky formula, although Michael Ironside is good value as Swank's sinister gym teacher.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 14, 2013

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Danny R

Rewatched this recently, and it stand as a stark reminder of how bad Hillary Swank really is

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/10/24

Full Review

Horror fan 4

Say what you will but this isn't as bad as the reviews say. Hilary and Pat carry this movie and make it enjoyable enough to not turn off. Tim Treakle

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/02/24

Full Review

Erik B

Predictable and formulaic in the face of the greatness that was the original Karate Kid trilogy. Definitely a shame to end Mr. Miyagi's story this way.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

07/29/24

Full Review

B S

I watched all of the Karate kid movies to rewatch Cobra Kai and try to understand everything. This one was the worst by a lot. This one is completely unnecessary and not Hilary Swank's best performance. The bad guys don't even use karate and the movie gets a little creepy. So many questions too... Like who is this colonel guy and why is he beating up students multiple times? Why is Hilary Swank so angry and unlikeable in this film when she definitely has better performances? Why do the colonel's cronies all act super creepy? Why does Hilary Swank's caretaker just leave her with Mr. Miyagi? Why did Pat Morita agree to this movie like did he have a bad divorce or something? Do not watch. The only redeemable characters are the monks.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/13/24

Full Review

Rosana B

Com sabor saudosista, deliciosamente gostoso de assistir, pura nostalgia... Um roteiro simples e básico, seguindo a tradição da franquia, nesse apenas a realidade nua e crua, mulher, jovem, meninas, sub julgadas e abusadas por hetero top escroto, nem todo homem, mas sempre um homem... Hilary e Sr. Miyagi, que combinação perfeita... Muito bom... Envelheceu saudável, 30 aninhos... Inesquecível e muito bom...

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/14/24

Full Review

GOOMATIONS!

This movie was TERRIBLE. NEVER WATCH THIS!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/24

Full Review

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Christopher Cain

Director

Hilary Swank

Julie Pierce

Pat Morita

Sergeant Kesuke Miyagi

Michael Ironside

Colonel Dugan

Constance Towers

Louisa Pierce

Chris Conrad

Eric McGowen

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The Next Karate Kid: Official Clip - Karate Waltz

2:58

The Next Karate Kid: Official Clip - Gas Station Fight

2:23

The Next Karate Kid: Official Clip - Zen Archery

2:58

The Next Karate Kid: Official Clip - Boys Are Easier

2:50

The Next Karate Kid: Official Clip - Respect All Living Things

2:51

The Next Karate Kid: Official Clip - Julie Fights Ned

3:03

The Next Karate Kid: Official Clip - Miyagi Finishes Dugan

2:58

The Next Karate Kid: Official Clip - Julie's Training

2:24

The Next Karate Kid: Official Clip - The Sacred Garden

2:40

The Next Karate Kid: Official Clip - Dancing Monks

3:00

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Synopsis

Karate master Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) goes to Boston to attend a military reunion. There, he visits with Louisa (Constance Towers), the widow of his former commander, and meets her granddaughter, Julie (Hilary Swank). Julie's parents were recently killed in a car accident, and she is still reeling from the loss. When Julie surprises Miyagi with her knowledge of karate, he takes her to a Buddhist monastery for training and to help her come to terms with her angst.

Director: Christopher Cain
Producer: Jerry Weintraub
Screenwriter: Robert Mark Kamen
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.7M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Surround

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