The Karate Kid Part II *** (1986, Pat Morita, Ralph Macchio, Pat E Johnson, Martin L Kove) – Classic Movie Review 9,721

The 1986 martial arts action adventure film The Karate Kid Part II offers more of the same as the 1984 original, and again stars Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, who accompanies his karate teacher Mr Miyagi (Pat Morita) to see his dying father in Okinawa.

Director John G Avildsen’s 1986 American martial arts action adventure sequel The Karate Kid Part II offers more of the same as the 1984 The Karate Kid, with Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Mr Kesuke Miyagi (Pat Morita) this time off to Japan after Miyagi receives a letter telling him his father is dying so he has to return to his home village on Okinawa Island.

Mr Miyagi encounters his old enemy with a long-standing grudge against him, in this junior-league tough guy stuff, still enjoyable, but a little bit less pleasing and a little soppier than the original.

It was an Oscar and Golden Globe nominee for the Peter Cetera’s song ‘Glory of Love’, which was a No. 1 hit in the US.

Also in the cast are Nobu McCarthy, Danny Kamekona, Martin L Kove as Kreese, Tamlyn Tomita, Yuji Okumoto, and Joey Miyashima.

What helps it to keep much the same is that it is again directed by John G Avildsen, written by Robert Mark Kamen, produced by Jerry Weintraub, and scored by Bill Conti, all of whom stayed with the whole trilogy. Indeed, The opening scene was originally planned as the ending for the first film. It’s all smoothly handled by John G Avildsen and Robert Mark Kamen’s script is quite crisp. Macchio’s appeal, Morita’s fine performance, the involving new characters, and the attractive Oahu, Hawaii, locations keep it quite classy.

The opening sequence takes place immediately after the end of the first film to link the two films.

Principal photography took place in Los Angeles, and in Oahu, Hawaii, from September 23, 1985 to December 20 1985. Oahu stands in for Okinawa, Japan, in the film.

The Karate Kid Part II was released in US cinemas on June 20, 1986. It $130 million worldwide on a budget of $12.5 million.

The Karate Kid Part III followed in 1989.

The Karate Kid Part II is directed by John G Avildsen, runs 113 minutes, is made by Delphi V Productions, is released by Columbia Pictures, is written by Robert Mark Kamen, is shot by James Crabe, is produced by Jerry Weintraub, is scored by Bill Conti, and is designed by William J Cassidy.

The cast are Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, Pat Morita as Mr Miyagi, Nobu McCarthy as Yukie, Tamlyn Tomita as Kumiko, Danny Kamekona as Sato, Yuji Okumoto as Chozen Toguchi. Charlie Tanimoto as Miyagi Chōjun, Joey Miyashima as Toshio, and Marc Hayashi as Taro.

Also in the opening sequence are Martin Kove as John Kreese, William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence, Tony O’Dell as Jimmy, Ron Thomas as Bobby, Rob Garrison as Tommy, Chad McQueen as Dutch, Pat E Johnson as Referee, and Bruce Malmuth as Announcer.

Also in the cast are B D Wong [Bradd Wong] as an Okinawan boy, Clarence Gilyard as ice-breaking scene participant, and Traci Toguchi as Girl Bell Ringer.

Chad McQueen, the only son of actor Steve McQueen. died on September 11, 2024, at the age of 63.

 © Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9,721

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com