Daniel, Ralph Macchio, hits his most unlikeable here.
I think this is probably the worst of the Daniel starring Karate Kid films, it is not as bad as the Jaden Smith Karate Kid but few things are as bad as that effort in CCP propaganda. I think the central reason why this film is so bad is because Daniel is incredibly unlikeable here. He goes against Mr Miyagi, Pat Morita, in several key ways, including taking his prized Bonsai tree from where he planted it, because he thinks he knows better and can sell it for some quick cash. He wants to use this cash to keep alive the Bonsai tree shop that he and Miyagi have opened and which Daniel insists is Mr Miyagi’s dream, despite the fact that Mr Miyagi has never talked about it before. Daniel is a teen with an attitude herein and as we all know that does not make for a likeable protagonist.
Moreover, the whole idea of the Bonsai tree shop is just such a nothing plot line that goes nowhere. It was clear that when they were trying to come up with ideas for this film they didn’t have anything, as this idea feels so badly thought through. It feels like the very worst kind of filler.
Additionally, the fact the villain is a rich man who wants to dedicate weeks of his time to ruining the life of a teen is odd and more than a little creepy. The idea that oh he was friends with one of the previous villains and therein is his motivation doesn’t work. If you’re a rich man you likely care about remaining rich and so dedicating weeks of your time to not doing the thing that makes you money and behaving illegally does not make any logical sense.
I think really the Daniel trilogy should have maybe been one or two films tops I think this film was the height of unnecessary.
Overall, The second worst of the franchise.
1/5
Pros.
There are some moments that set things up for Cobra Kai
Cons.
Daniel
The writing
It doesn’t need to exist
It is tedious at times
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