The Karate Kid Part III

PG

1989

1h 51m

Drama

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15%

34 Reviews

Tomatometer

35%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Cobra Kai karate instructor John Kreese (Martin Kove) is still brooding over the defeat handed to him by Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita). With his slimy partner, Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith), Kreese plans an intricate payback that involves hiring a mean-spirited ringer (Sean Kanan) to rob Daniel of his championship title. When Mr. Miyagi refuses to train Daniel, even under threat, the boy makes the mistake of turning to Terry for guidance.

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Critics Consensus

Inspiration is in short supply in this third Karate Kid film, which recycles the basic narrative from its predecessors but adds scenery-chewing performances and a surprising amount of violence.

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NESQUIK T

Overall, "Karate Kid Part III" is a disappointing sequel that fails to live up to the legacy of its predecessors. With its recycled plot, lackluster character development, and uneven pacing, the film struggles to recapture the magic of the original films. Fans of the franchise may find some enjoyment in revisiting familiar characters, but ultimately, "Karate Kid Part III" is a forgettable entry in the series that fails to leave a lasting impression.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/04/24

Full Review

Rami A

The plot might have used more development, but it is still entertaining. You can tell because it becomes clear that the filmmakers are starting to run out of ideas at that point.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/15/23

Full Review

letaiser

the movie was okay ,the action we had but there was way to much non sense and it was built up just like the other karate kid movies ,and he didn't should win the tournament at all if we being honest

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/13/23

Full Review

Nawt W

To point out the obvious, the concept has already exhausted itself after the first movie. Consequently, if you were to be adamant about keeping Daniel and Miyagi, it would inevitably regress into contrived drama. It is difficult not to roll your eyes at Daniel's numbskull behavior. It is equally hard to watch him lash out at Miyagi, with these two characters seemingly not being able to communicate over a palpably simple issue. Therefore, you faintly believe in their estrangement. What doesn't help is Ralph Macchio's acting. He's got that baby face figured out, but his irritation is comically exaggerated, with him huffing and puffing. The creation of Jessica is puzzling as well. I assume they couldn't get Kumiko's actress, and so she is written out in the same way Ali was in Part II. Now she is promptly replaced with "not-love-interest" because of age or something, and from my understanding, she is there for Daniel to vent because we can't have him talking with himself like a nut case. In spite of that, one man bludgeons in to save the day. Thomas Ian Griffith is chewing the scenery, emphasized by the screenplay to be the most hyperbolized villain in the entire franchise. The man has an illicit toxic waste disposal business but he will dedicate money and time to gaslight some teenager and make him betray his own credo. What is more, Ian Griffith devotes himself to that role. The pure gleefulness he is playing it with is a sight to behold. Honestly, it's worth a watch just for him.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/01/23

Full Review

Swith

Não é tão ruim quanto algumas pessoas falam.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/19/23

Full Review

TWMax65

This movie is filled with drama and intensity and I think it's really good. And of course Cobra Kai makes it better. This should've probably been Karate Kid 2 but the 3 villains in this movie are well-acted, intimidating, and out for revenge. Daniel also has an important character arch that he goes through with his Karate and I really honestly don't get the hate for it! It had a plot that's engaging, good character moments, emotional scenes, and good fights toward the end as well! Give this a rewatch and then watch Cobra Kai, I'm sure it will definitely enhance your experience! People are so harsh on movies.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/06/23

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John G. Avildsen

Director

Ralph Macchio

Daniel LaRusso

Pat Morita

Mr. Kesuke Miyagi

Robyn Lively

Jessica Andrews

Thomas Ian Griffith

Terry Silver

Martin Kove

John Kreese

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The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Strong Roots

1:54

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Mr. Miyagi vs Terry Silver

2:59

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Daniel Wins!

2:29

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Save the Tree!

3:08

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Doing Damage

1:55

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Blackmailed

2:59

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Mr. Miyagi's Little Trees

2:26

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Refusing to Compete

2:04

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Killer Instinct

2:12

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip -The Real Pain Begins

2:56

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The Karate Kid Part III: Trailer 1

1:28

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Desmond Ryan

Philadelphia Inquirer

The Karate Kid Part III is a brave but misguided attempt to restate the lesson through a narrative ploy that nearly always works, but here produces no more than recycling.

Rated: 2/4

Jul 15, 2014

Full Review

Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

Part III, however, is not merely a disaster of the most uninspired contrivances but is actually unsuitable for youngsters, the series' natural audience.

Jul 15, 2014

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Tribune

About all that enlivens The Karate Kid Part III is a screamingly over-the-top performance by Thomas Ian Griffith, who plays a toxic waste magnate and karate buff who hatches a madly complex plot to humiliate Daniel and his teacher.

Rated: 2/4

Jul 15, 2014

Full Review

Elisa Guimarães

Collider

The Karate Kid Part III suffers from a lack of originality pertaining to Daniel's and Mr. Miyagi's narrative arcs...

Jan 29, 2024

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Not better than the first, but its better than the second film, while lost in the exotic landscapes of Okinawa. [Full review in Spanish]

Jun 10, 2022

Full Review

Richard Freedman

Newhouse News Service

Where the original Karate Kid was a fresh and charming film, and the second a dud-clone, the only word for this third installment is stupefying.

Jan 5, 2018

Full Review

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Synopsis

Cobra Kai karate instructor John Kreese (Martin Kove) is still brooding over the defeat handed to him by Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita). With his slimy partner, Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith), Kreese plans an intricate payback that involves hiring a mean-spirited ringer (Sean Kanan) to rob Daniel of his championship title. When Mr. Miyagi refuses to train Daniel, even under threat, the boy makes the mistake of turning to Terry for guidance.

Director: John G. Avildsen
Producer: Sheldon Schrager
Screenwriter: Robert Mark Kamen
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation, Weintraub Entertainment Group
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 9, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $36.8M
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Surround

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