Karate Kid Trilogy - movie review

[@leftymcnally6913]

I love the scene from Pt. 2 when they're on the beach after Miyagi's father dies, and Daniel consoles him. It's the only time in any of the movies where Daniel (because he lost his father) has experience where Miyagi doesn't. It's like he's the mentor in that scene

[@perrymehta6438]

Timothy Sotir one of my favorite scenes of the movie

[@nightmarearcade6103]

I find it to be the best scene in the movie i wish there was more scenes like that but I'm atleast glad that there is plenty of scenes like that in the remake

[@Alias1983]

Excellent. Now review the Cobra Kai series.

[@428lonewolf]

I've always felt that 2 and 3 should've been reversed. The trilogy would've had a better flow to it that way.

[@Termin8or_115]

Same

[@rkfan1012]

Dated music? No way. An excellent trip to the 80's.

[@ferreroroach9153]

Yeah i thought that was an odd criticism too. The film is set in the 80s!

[@MrAdrenaline1982]

"Cruel Summer" in particular was great, and was used in an even better way for the season 2 finale of Cobra Kai.

[@03bgood]

The 2000s have dated music, the 80s don't.

[@_PuppetMaster86]

@@03bgood The 80s is classic, the 2000s are dated.

[@ittdust]

Sometimes "dated" is a good thing. Movies aren't good just because they trick us into thinking that they're taking place today. It takes place in the 80's and shouldn't hide it.

[@69johndz]

I always felt that the last 2 movies would have made more sense if they were reversed. Keep going with the revenge plot and the 2nd tournament in the 2nd movie. Then, for the conclusion...there are not more tournaments, no more metals or trophies...this is life or death!! I think the reason why the 3rd one was so bad (besides the fact that it is a shitty movie) is that it didn't feel very urgent since we just saw Daniel fight for his life in Okinawa...now I am supposed to care about a broken bonsai tree?

[@jimjim844]

note from 3rd film: That was not Daniel's girlfriend. She even told him that she's going home to make up with her old boyfriend. Daniel doesn't let their friendship go beyond that and she never even showed up for the tournament to see Daniel get his ass kicked before the final blow The 3rd one I hated while the other two are still good films!!

[@chiefkeefsossa675]

Jim Jim 3rd is great

[@1800Hernandez]

Which kinda makes her a pointless character

[@_Some_Guy_]

there was actually supposed to be a romance between them but Ralph Macchio asked to change it because he didn't want his wife to get jealous

[@Motorheadache95]

It was actually because he was pushing 30 at that point and the actress was really young.

[@ShadowSonic2]

They should have had him stay with the Japanese girl from the second movie.

[@LilReikoGold]

You're the best around

[@teamhex]

No one's gonna ever keep ya' down!

[@halfhawk718]

Rico 1990 You're the best around!

[@michaelmacleod6517]

Im sorry, I'm sorry! I thought this was America...

[@pattol666]

Michael MacLeod south park. I love it. Lol.

[@andyappleton3353]

Let's see how good you guys are with KK trivia...did you know that song was originally written for Rocky II. That's why the lyric, "History repeats itself, try and you'll succeed" is in it. It's true...look it up

[@DaveFu]

I love KK2. It did what all sequels are supposed to do. What I loved was that because Miyagi's father was dying, it was a rare opportunity for Daniel to be the mentor for Miyagi as he coped with his loss. Sato was harboring a grudge for 40+ years. His arc was more subtle than one would think. You could see over the course of the movie that Sato was beginning to respect Miyagi again with how close and how much faith he had with Daniel (the ice block scene). Chozen was raised and invested his whole life as the crown prince of Miyagi Karate. Then this little Italian meatball shows up and is an affront to that and won't back down. Chozen didn't have the maturity or respect for the family that Sato had. Sato failed to instill that in him. KK3 failed miserably because it lowered the stakes and Daniel lost all the maturity and character development he had in 2. He won a death match ferfuxsake. An under 18 karate tourney is an emotional joke by comparison. Miyagi and the villains were great though! I would have loved to see what happened the ex Cobras in that film. I think a but obvious change would have been to have Terry Silver and Kreese take Miyagi out of action and he turns to Johnny and Bobby to train him up. P.S. James, don't forget to eat your pork roll!

[@l4l3xandr3]

Bill Conti score is not just "pretty good", it's a awsome score. I mean, the moment Daniel train in front of the ocean, the scene give me chills everyime I watch it ^_^

[@robtomben]

Alex Phaneuf I agree 100%

[@ferreroroach9153]

Yep the musical score is a masterpiece.

[@michaelmcdonald8128]

One of my favourite facts about Karate Kid 3; the actor that plays Terry Silver is 5 months younger than Ralph Macchio

[@ChescoYT]

Holy fuck, i forgot about 'Terry Silver', one villain i would still be intimidated by. I actually love the entire series 1-3.

[@Adino1]

"The synth pop sound weakens the movie" Tell me you're joking.

[@BrosselLP]

synth pop sucks though

[@1800Hernandez]

There is no jaden smith in this dojo

[@pugdaddytice1530]

The 2nd Karate Kid movie is undoubtedly the best of the series IMO. It was darker and the bad guy is one of my most hated villains. Plus you can't beat The Glory Of Love.

[@TheDevouredEagle]

I never thought of this movie like a Rocky re-telling, very good, that's what I always liked about James Rolfe overall, very honest and very smart

[@FuzzyPuppet]

this was awesome! thanks for making this!

[@HenryCasillas]

✖️✌️

[@OneArmedRetroGamer]

Chozen disliked Daniel for his association with Miyagi, but then Daniel exposes him cheating the village folk, embarrasses him with the ice block deal and finally his uncle disowns hi while he has to not only Daniel save a little girl but his uncle help. Combined that with Japanese strict focus on honor and it makes a lot of sense. I have mixed feelings on the the tree saving scene, but I'll let it pass for a superior sequel.

[@sonrize7679]

Wow, you took the words right out of my mouth. This trilogy is a great story.

[@gyromurphy]

Really like the critique of movies that make me feel a sense of nostalgia.. It's almost like you're a critic of all things nostalgic...a nostalgia critic...if you will...

[@garlandmueller740]

I love James dry sense of humor. It´s much funnier when he genuinely verbally shits on something bad instead of having the exxagerated act of the nerd. That´s why my favorite Cinemassacre video is the "Night od the Demon" review. It´s perfectly edited and written imo.

[@YamanoRyuu]

I remember a movie in which Miyagi trains a girl... Did I dream that one?

[@drewthompson1704]

Schön龍 There is a movie where Miyagi teaches a girl, but I can't remember the name of it.

[@nosoros]

I remember that too!

[@WarrenValion]

No. It's real. I think it's called "The Next Karate Kid".

[@LeopoldLitchenstein]

You're thinking of The Next Karate Kid

[@walterbonilla8143]

The next karate kid. It had Hilary Swank in it.

[@Mastersun88]

Karate kid 3 isn't the best out of the 3 but I will still watch it whenever it comes out on TV. I just love these movies as there isn't too many movies that are like this any more today. Movies today are getting so boring.

[@MrJimbofox]

If you ask me The Karate Kid Part 2 is probably the greatest/most fitting sequel ever made.

[@rocketcon]

Better than The Empire Strikes Back or Terminator 2? Sorry, but no.

[@TheRealSephiroth]

rocketcon no theyre just up there with each other :)

[@rydermccall3590]

Retro Game Lounge I love Karate Kid Part 2! I was so satisfied with seeing Myagi beat up the evil coach and seeing Daniel take out Chosen in the end.

[@roreah]

Easy, pal...

[@oldfrend]

part 2 was/is a completely unappreciated work of art imo. a beautiful and complex film that was really dragged down by being written for a young adult film series.

[@daughters4life55]

James please review Cobra Kai!!!!

[@bradhodges4521]

ichimich 75 he just did!

[@SatiZakito]

SECONDED! The show is awesome and tackle some real issues of facing our past!

[@rufioquin2406]

"Make his knuckles bleed." "Hey... I like that! I like that!! I'm gonna use that Jonny!! Hahahaha" Oh man... I enjoy Karate Kid III.. it's so off the rails crazy..

[@chiefthunder9569]

"Called Crane technique...If do right, no can defense!

[@AlienFrequency]

I actually enjoy part 3 more than 2. Terry Silver is so over the top. I love it. There's also more fighting in part 3. Part 2 is just kind of slow by comparison, imo.

[@I_Am_The_Social_Reject]

Beer nMetal agreed. I like 3 the best but it depends on my mood. I love them all for different reasons

[@d.r.ch.m.3702]

Terry Silver kinda reminds me a young Geese Howard.

[@Termin8or_115]

I always saw him as Dan and kreese as geese

[@johnsmith651]

Who else had a huge crush on Elisabeth Shue in this movie?

[@OdileOdile19]

Easier question is who didn’t

[@Steelflight773]

You definitely need to review Cobra Kai now. It is actually pretty good.

[@paulpjr3224]

"Let's do it for Johnny, man. Let's do it for Johnny." Oh wrong movie.

[@matrixandraia]

Chozen is like my favorite all time 80s bad guy. He's so cool and so... 80s. He's perfect. =)

[@frank34443]

Dude I love these movie reviews of classic movies. PLEASE keep them coming!

[@mattfromeurope]

100% agreed, James. Couldn't have said it better.

[@Mngalahad]

Demura Fumio was originally going to be Miyagi. However, he didn't know english very well so Pat Morita based the character from him. Demura Sensei is the real life mr. Miyagi.

[@TKDLION]

Where did you hear that? Toshiro Mifune was originally going to play Miyagi. Fumio Demura played Miyagi in the fight scenes, but I've never heard that they considered casting him as the main actor.

[@CoinOpTV]

good stuff dude

[@joshuahodges308]

I love this series. Obviously the first one is the best.. and the 2nd one is okay. The third one may not be great but will always have a soft spot in my heart lol

[@Doreai]

I agree with you on that point, James. Karate Kid 3 was a load of crap. As far as I'm concerned, there is no Karate Kid 3, there is only Karate Kid 1 and Karate Kid 2. Karate Kid 2 is where it ends for me, knowing Daniel grows as a person (both in learning and relationships) and getting experience in karate.

[@knifechen]

I am a foreigner from Taiwan. I really like to see your dramatically retro gaming critics. I was once seeing "game sack" making a parody on you. I wonder you, James, happen to have chance to imitates them or other video game nerds, that would be quite fun:D Thank you and you have a good one.

[@Enterthedarkness23]

You're the Best Around and Glory of Love - Best of the 80s music!

[@Iconhulk]

Bananarama Cruel Summer

[@abrahamfigz6585]

Part 2 felt more like part 3 and vice versa.

[@MovieLover1995]

The only thing I find awesome about Part III is the end credits song, "Out For the Count" by Winger. Other than that, I thought Part III was just okay. I didn't hate it as much as everyone else, but it still has its moments.

[@Sp1derFingers]

Anyone see that fan theory where Daniel is the real villain?

[@Sabertooth1000000000]

That's not a fan theory, it's actually from How I Met Your Mother.

[@darklighter66]

Spider He would have been disqualified. Direct kick to the head.

[@folksurvival]

Yes.

[@danieladamczyk4024]

Yes i am.

[@DerekBoldiene360]

@Sabertooth1000000000 Are you a How I Met Your Mother fan? Something funny is The Karate Kid is my favorite movie of all time and How I Met Your Mother is my favorite show of all time.

[@rapmusic896]

The best part about 80s and 90s teen movies is how over the top bullies are you just don't see good movie bullies anymore.

[@johnnygunzfilmbuff7821]

I love The Karate Kid. I grew up on the movies.

[@fountaincap]

GET HIM A BODY BAAAAAG! YEAAAAAHHH!

[@theraptorus]

"Must be take a worm for a walk week!"

[@sakume7969]

fountainhead Johhny you're a cream puff!

[@atomcraft]

Bill Conti's score to these movies is on point.

[@lisag5002]

The guy who played Mike Barnes almost lost his life due to an injury on set. He had to simulate being thrown through a door, by lunging forward seven feet and land on his stomach for 20 takes. Four days later he's in the hospital for abdominal hemorrhaging.

[@TrevorTrolls]

there was a karate kid 4, with a girl..hilary swank.

[@ArcanePath360]

Nope. Never happened. Just a bad dream you need to forget. I SAID IT WAS A BAD DREAM

[@MinimiMax]

It wasn't Karate Kid 4. It was The New Karate Kid. It was more like a retelling of the original story than a sequel.

[@8bit_pineapple]

Naaa... there's only one Karate Kid movie. Wax on, Wax off.

[@Nicholas_Steel]

Yeah! It's called Surf Ninjas

[@I_Am_The_Social_Reject]

Yeah she wasn't naked and so all you had was the worst movie in the series, even worse than the remake

[@bradlesmcgee9566]

man i miss this low quality type lol love you James

[@krowman8458]

Karate Kid was a cool movie monster

[@SamtasticOnline]

Man, your last review of this trilogy is what got me to finally watch the third movie. I had it in my head that you really talked up Part 3, but you didn't at all. Memory is a strange thing. I guess that's why it's sometimes so fun to rewatch old classics.

[@firery794]

The best line in the entire franchise: *“WAH”*

[@kurtomac2386]

“Maybe trouble looking for YOU.”

[@firebomb80]

I come here just to listen to James talk to me, is that wrong? Soothing sounds of the man lol

[@ellipsis530]

Best quote from Karate Kid is at the end of Daniel-san and Ali's date where she tells her to drive his yellow whip, because "Hey, its the 80's!"

[@575forza]

And Bill Conti did both soundtracks to Karate Kid and Rocky.

[@KWKBOX]

I prefer the NES game.

[@adhitamaprasetya4220]

This game is ass!

[@Bobby8451]

KWKBOX Yeah WAYYY better than the movie anyday.

[@snooPINGAS]

*FUUUUCK!*

[@chriscalvert4609]

"I would really prefer if you'd be quiet."

[@MR-be4io]

(tomba music plays softly in the background)

[@DownDownUpUp]

Another great review on KZbin! Still hoping the Friday the 13th reviews show up here soon, as they are still the best reviews James has ever done in my opinion.

[@freck2614]

Well they eventually did!

[@oldfrend]

i rewatched the series myself not long ago, and they're still great films. the period specific bits are kinda cringey, but the underlying story and themes are timeless and moving in their sincerity. more specifically part 2 has aged really well in its themes of cross-culturalism and juxtaposition of romance and conflict between people of different stages of life. and the cinematography and music are simply beautiful. not to mention tamlyn tomita who plays daniel's girlfriend kumiko. harbored such a crush on her XD. i would argue it's the best of the three, and a completely unknown work of art.

[@supergeoff]

Ralph Macchio is coming to cincy comic book expo next month on the sept 23 can't wait to meet him in person

[@jackbinder6155]

Back in Middle school I took karate, and my mentor's mentor was the stunt double for Miyagi and I've met him a couple of times! He said that the movies where pretty intense to set up as one would expect.

[@LeStryfe]

KK3 is funny as hell. A so bad it's good movie for sure.

[@megan2484]

@Cinemassacre are you going to do a review of Cobra Kai?

[@matineyang]

One of the goals for Terry was to perverse all of miyagi’s teachings to Daniel and have him doubt them.

[@LennyCash777]

Nice review, James. But I kinda wish you would've mentioned the fact that Daniel seems to have a different love interest in all three films and seemingly forgets about the previous one so easily, which was always funny to me.

[@DOSRetroGamer]

total player

[@LennyCash777]

@@DOSRetroGamer Definitely. The best around...

[@sensoeirensen]

One of the best trilogy ever made.

[@ODoyleRulz]

So I TOTALLY thought the third Karate Kid movie was the one with Hilary Swank?! Now I'm going to have to find that real one...

[@Kloxbyn]

Stylistically, KK1 was not intended to stand the test of time (it's a coming of age film set in 1980s Las Angeles, think about it). Using the word "dated" in reference to the music doesn't really make sense, since the look and sound of the film was not intended to be timeless (whereas the themes and messages were). I think the term "dated" applies to films that failed at trying to be stylistically timeless or they poorly portrayed what 'the future' looked like or relied too heavily on the special effects available at the time.

[@petercharleskrug]

I wonder what James Rolfe would think about the new COBRA KAI series.

[@Iceose]

I didn't personally believe that John Kreese was an unbelievable character. It's shown in the movie that he was a Vietnam war vet, so his training in the military was to, 'destroy the enemy.'

[@119Agent]

My favorite Karate Kid song is Young Hearts by Commuter. That song is actually reused in Cobra Kai which is a nice throwback to the original film.

[@The_Primary_Axiom]

Now we just need a cobra Kai review

[@devilmikey00]

Part 3 + rifftrax makes it a pretty great sit. One of the best rifftrax those guys have ever done combined with a dude who should be playing the joker and you have a damn good time. Purrrrrrfect.

[@CthulhusDream]

No Next Karate Kid?

[@SHEEMBA]

When you gotta go back to old school Cinemassacre videos for that nostalgia

[@xskramx8078]

Love synth wave .. synth punk .. The music sets its own atmosphere

[@JustinEvitable80]

Best thing about Daniel, he's not Jaden.

[@halfhawk718]

I loved these movies.

[@palabrajot505]

Italian ancestry would be where the similarities between Daniel Larusso and Rocky Balboa end, Rocky wasn't a little bitch. For that matter, Mickey Goldmill wasn't a kind-hearted gentleman who decided to train Rocky to end what he saw as injustice. He was an opportunistic a little prick, who decided to take on a guy who he'd been ignoring and belittling for 10 years, once he saw the chance to use him as a meal ticket.

[@brandandengler8919]

Mercy is for the weak.

[@Wardner213]

One of many reasons it was awesome to be a kid in the 80's :p

[@stephenchase7711]

My favorite part of the saga is the music.

[@320zombie]

I still to this day don't care what anyone says...while it's not my favorite, I really enjoy KK3...

[@masterclif]

My dad's Tae Kwon Do teacher was a stuntman for Miagi.

[@YankeeYapping]

I need you and Mike to do a review of the new Cobra Kai series! Would love to hear your guys' take on it.

[@salemdunning5954]

Music being dated is ironic. That 80s synth sound is making a comeback, albeit slightly different. I agree with your analysis.

[@akuunreach]

@James Rolph, back in the 80s, killing someone had 2 meanings, usually when a kid said it, it meant beat someone up real bad or without any difficulty.

[@DOSRetroGamer]

No, he meant killing him.

[@ParadoxdesignsOrg]

Sweet the leg, johnny!

[@KTF0]

James, your the best, around. Nothing's ever going to keep you down.

[@ArcanePath360]

I wouldn't say III was a load of crap. It had issues but I really liked the story of him turning against his master and their differences. It's so typical of real life when someone young turns against everything they should respect when they are easily manipulated by a new fad which seems to offer them promise of something better, only for them to be later humbled by their gullibility and find a newfound respect of what they've been taught. And Silverman is fun to watch. He should have been in more films.

[@MaximRecoil]

I never bought Daniel as a karate expert. At no time in any of the movies did he ever look like he knew what he was doing. Every point he scored look like a stroke of sheer luck, and his big wins in each movie were based on a gimmick (crane kick, that avoiding the swinging hook thing move, and kata).

[@DerekBoldiene360]

The Karate Kid is my favorite movie of all time here is how I rank them out of all the Karate Kid movies 1 The Karate Kid 1984 2 The Karate Kid Part 2 1986 3 The Karate Kid Part 3 1989 4 The Karate Kid Remake 2010 5 The Next Karate Kid 1994

[@footofjuniper8212]

"Kill him" meant "beat him up badly."

[@MorbidThrasher666]

Good review and for the record 80's rules. "Your the best"

[@DetroitAlan01]

In a perfect world, the Karate Kid III would've involved a totally badass Daniel LaRusso curb stomping Kreese in a no holds barred street fight.

[@BoognShoogKids]

Great review! Nice job.

[@tet5uo]

Love your movie reviews. Great work!

[@davidneyra4418]

Karate Kid saga should have ended with Karate Kid part 2, Daniel and Kumiko, that should of been the perfect ending, why make a third part. Karate Kid was an amazing childhood movie I enjoyed watching, my top 5 favorite

[@428lonewolf]

I agree. KK2 should've been the end. The 3rd movie really didn't fit. If 2 and 3 were switched, it would've had a better flow to it.

[@deep71753]

I have to point out that part 2 was a box office smash and i don't think you under stand the plot line Chosen doesn't hate Daniel in the beginning he just wants to impress his grandfather only threw some clashes were Daniel makes Chosen look weak or stupid does Chosen start to hate Daniel and the storm is the final straw were Chosen chooses not to help Daniel save a little girl and blames Daniel for his grandfather dissowning him and dishonoring him all of witch Chosen brought on him self .as for Mr Miyagi if you have ever been to any Asian countries you would know honor was and is a big deal and you can still legally kill in some Asian countries over honor so a very good and strong story line and it introduces you to Mr Miyagi"s home which everyone after part 1 said Mr Miyagi from Japan but part 2 verified he was not that he was from Okinawa a slightly different culture and history

[@deep71753]

oh and i don't think karate kid 1 or 2 are dated story wise there are tons of stories just like them that go far far in to the past as for the movie in general how can any movie help from being dated from the era it was made in cars buildings even streets parking lots all date a movie it can't be helped Newyork for example in 80"s movies you can clearly see the twin towers which dates all movies before 9/11 all movies are dated to whatever era it was made