Barnes & Noble

Between The Karate Kid (1984) and The Next Karate Kid (1994), Mr. Miyagi (so brilliantly portrayed by Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) pretty much uses up all his good aphorisms. "Anything possible if not afraid," is about the best he can muster for future Million Dollar Baby-star Hillary Swank, a mere $50 baby in Next. . But there's no defense against the Rocky formula that pits a likable, much-put-upon underdog (Ralph Macchio in the first three films) against gangs of fascist toughs and old enemies. Mr. Miyagi is one of the screen's great characters. He dispenses ancient wisdom like Yoda, and when push comes to shove, he kicks butt like, well, Yoda. But not sounding like Fozzy Bear after a magic-mushroom break affords him a distinct advantage. This box set contains all four Karate Kid films, an essential inclusion for any '80s time capsule. John Avildson, an Oscar winner for Rocky, directs the first and best film. Macchio's Daniel LaRusso, a high school outcast, finds a father figure and mentor in the mysterious handyman with the unorthodox teaching methods ("Wax on, wax off"). The inevitable sequel, also directed by Avildson, further fleshes out their relationship as Daniel accompanies Miyagi to Japan, where he will have to settle old scores. Part III returns Daniel to his home turf and inserts a wedge between teacher and pupil as Daniel crosses over to the dark side in the person of rival instructor Thomas Ian Griffith. The Next Karate Kid stars Swank as an embittered young woman who, under Miyagi's tutelage, ends a reign of terror at her high school. As with the Rocky series, the Karate Kid franchise falls prey to the law of diminishing returns. But each film is undeniably rousing, even as the villains go increasingly over the top. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide

The initial film of the enormously successful Karate Kid series, although essentially the familiar tale of an underdog striving for victory, has an innate appeal often lacking in the genre -- an entirely believable rapport between its two stars. The script centers on the travails of a teenage boy, played by Ralph Macchio, who learns to defend himself against the bullying of some uncomfortably Aryan-looking types from an elderly Asian gardener (Pat Morita) who happens to be a master of the martial arts. The film goes beyond the typical plot machinery, as the old man teaches the boy about more than just karate, and a relationship develops between the two. Macchio and Pat Morita are close to perfection in their roles, and Martin Kove is good as the guy you love to hate. Macchio went on to star in a couple of sequels to the hit film, and it seems possible that his strong identification with the role might have hampered the development of his career.

All Movie Guide

The Karate Kid Part II is basically more of the same from director John G. Avildsen, a sequel that studies the high points of the original so closely that it could be considered a remake set in a different location. Instead of being cheered and applauded by an American tournament crowd won over by his underdog status, this time Daniel is urged onward by the swell of handheld percussive instruments scattered through a Japanese crowd won over by his underdog status. However hastily it was rushed into production, The Karate Kid Part II does manage to duplicate the original's winning vibe, including prompting pleased moviegoers to karate chop the air on their way out of the theater, in turn expelling their adrenaline. The fact that it cleared over $115 million domestically, compared to the $90 million taken in by the original, indicates the appetite for escapism that prompted two more similar sequels. This also probably corresponded with a hike in enrollment at karate studios around the country. Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita exude considerable comfort with the traits expected of them, with Macchio hauling back out his blue-collar New Jersey pride and Morita getting more laughs from wise eccentricity. The series began a serious slide after this installment, though it did feature future Oscar-winner Hilary Swank in part four (The Next Karate Kid).

All Movie Guide

John G. Avildsen rehashes his shopworn formula for another go-round in The Karate Kid Part III. Going against the wishes of his mentor Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita), Daniel (Ralph Macchio) will defend his karate title in an All-Valley Championship match arranged by his nemesis Kreese (Martin Kove), whose karate studio folded after his star student lost the championship to Daniel. Kreese's friend, Vietnam veteran and toxic waste dumper Terry (Thomas Ian Griffith), agrees to help his old pal regain the championship trophy. Daniel's rival Mike Barnes (Sean Kanan) is known as "the bad boy of karate" and Daniel feels he requires more training to vanquish him. But Mr. Miyagi refuses to help Daniel train for the tournament: "Karate to defend life and honor means something. To defend a plastic trophy means nothing." As a result, Daniel naively falls into the clutches of Terry, who takes him on as a karate student. But after Daniel finds himself trapped at the bottom of a cliff and Daniel's girlfriend Jessica (Robyn Lively) has her life threatened, Mr. Miyagi realizes the bad guys have gone too far and agrees to coach Daniel for the tournament.

All Movie Guide

Karate Kid, Part 4 is better known by its release title, The Next Karate Kid. The sole holdover from the first three KK flicks is Noriyuki "Pat" Morita, once more cast as janitor/martial arts maven Miyagi Yakuga. This time, his pupil is orphaned 17-year-old Hilary Swank, the granddaughter of Miyagi's war buddy. Relentlessly bullied by her male classmates and feeling responsible for her parents' fatal accident, Swank is taught self-worth through the tough-but-gentle guidance of Miyagi. While The Next Karate Kid may come off as too "PC" for the tastes of some fans, it is heaps better than the appalling Karate Kid, Part 3.

Product Details

• UPC: 043396047280
• Source: SONY PICTURES
• Region Code: 1
• Language: English
• Time: 7:35:00
• Sales Rank: 2,348

This set contains DVDs which may be available separately:

• Karate Kid
• The Karate Kid, Part II
• The Karate Kid, Part III
• The Next Karate Kid

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