The Next Karate Kid ** (1994, Pat Morita, Hilary Swank, Michael Ironside) – Classic Movie Review 3843

Director Christopher Cain’s 1994 action adventure is the fourth Karate Kid movie, and proved the last in the original series. And, oh my goodness! – the Next Karate Kid is a girl, and played by a future double-Oscar-winner, too – Hilary Swank. So, in an attempt to refresh the formula, it is a girl power version of the teen martial arts movie.

Unfortunately, there is no series star Ralph Macchio, this time, alas. But, happily, old Pat Morita is back as Mr Miyage to teach troubled adolescent Julie Pierce (Swank) the martial-arts ways of the master. And the fourth episode in the series is a quietly professional, comfortably familiar job, but that is all.

Otherwise, it’s business as usual. Swank is fine, but there is no hint of her future glory in her performance.

It is directed by Dean (Superman) Cain’s dad, Christopher. Also in the cast are Michael Ironside, Constance Towers, Chris Conrad, Arsenio Trinidad, Michael Cavalieri, Walt Goggins and Jim Ishida.

Its very disappointing $8.9 million take at the US box office effectively killed the prospects of any further Karate Kid films. But, after a long gap, the 2010 remake of The Karate Kid took an astounding $171.8 million at the US box office.

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© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3843

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