The Karate Child Half II walks the tough line that every one sequels must navigate: it could’t simply be a rehash of the unique, however it could’t be too totally different, both (M3GAN 2.0 discovered that lesson the laborious method lately). The Karate Child sequel units out to do one thing new to justify its existence, however nonetheless sticks fairly intently to the formulation that labored so nicely the primary time. Within the sequel, Mr. Miyagi returns to his hometown in Okinawa to go to his dying father, and whereas he’s there, he’s pressured to confront the demons from his previous.
It’s all the time a good suggestion to go for a change of surroundings in a sequel, and this one takes us out of Los Angeles over to Japan. As Ralph Macchio famously informed a dissatisfied Jordan Schlansky, The Karate Child Half II wasn’t truly filmed in Japan; it was filmed in Hawaii. The seashores, the encompassing ocean, and among the plants are a lifeless giveaway that we’re not likely in Japan, however due to using Okinawa-born extras, like-for-like replicas of Okinawan properties, and a beautiful mountain vary within the background, the film magic is fairly convincing.
Mr. Miyagi Takes The Highlight In The Karate Child Sequel
We Study A Lot Extra About Daniel’s Mysterious Mentor
It was a wise transfer to change the main target from Daniel to Mr. Miyagi. Miyagi immediately turned a fan-favorite when the primary film got here out, and giving him the highlight helped to distinguish this story from its predecessor. Within the first movie, Miyagi was a mysterious determine, however right here, we get a number of fascinating insights into his previous. He fell in love with a lady named Yukie, who was betrothed to his greatest buddy Sato, and as a substitute of combating for her, he selected to depart the nation. When he visits his father, he has to reopen these outdated wounds.
Within the first film, Daniel went on a transformative journey and Miyagi mentored him. In the second, Miyagi goes on the life-changing emotional journey and Daniel is there to help him. In its first half, it’s a completely totally different story than its predecessor. However as soon as Miyagi’s dad has handed away and there’s a struggle lined up, it turns into roughly a repeat of the primary movie with a brand new backdrop. Miyagi goes again to coaching Daniel utilizing unconventional strategies, Daniel will get picked on by a bully, and he develops a budding romance with a brand new love curiosity.
The sequel maintains the endearing cheesiness of the primary film, encapsulated by Peter Cetera’s romantic ballad “Glory of Love,” and Pat Morita continues to raise that tacky materials with a extremely nuanced, heartfelt efficiency as Miyagi.
The sequel maintains the endearing cheesiness of the primary film, encapsulated by Peter Cetera’s romantic ballad “Glory of Love,” and Pat Morita continues to raise that tacky materials with a extremely nuanced, heartfelt efficiency as Miyagi. The smarmy, unscrupulous villains are simply as unlikable as they should be to get you excited to see them defeated, and the risk to Miyagi’s village provides extra stakes to the battle than the mere threat of dishonor. The ultimate struggle comes out of nowhere after the plot has already been resolved, however the callback to the opening struggle is a pleasant contact.
The Karate Child Half II Is A First rate, If Pointless Comply with-Up
It is Not A Whole Catastrophe, However It Would not Maintain A Candle To The Unique
The Karate Child Half II is a basic instance of a sequel that was solely made as a result of the primary film was a large success. There wasn’t essentially extra story to inform — the arc of Daniel and Mr. Miyagi’s relationship was full — however the first one made some huge cash and amassed an enormous fan base virtually instantly, so the studio wasn’t going to only go away it as one-and-done.
Author Robert Mark Kamen and director John G. Avildsen returned for The Karate Child sequels.
However so far as contrived second elements to an already-finished story go, The Karate Child Half II works fairly nicely. It doesn’t maintain a candle to the unique, one of many biggest underdog sports activities motion pictures ever made, however the brand new setting is a pleasant visible change of tempo, and it’s a pleasure to get to know Mr. Miyagi slightly higher.
The Karate Child Half II
5/10
- Launch Date
-
June 20, 1986
- Runtime
-
113 Minutes
- Director
-
John G. Avildsen
- Writers
-
Robert Mark Kamen
- Pat Morita continues to raise the ’80s cheese with a nuanced efficiency
- The change of surroundings to Japan is refreshing (even when it wasn’t truly filmed there)
- Regardless of its fascinating new story setup, the sequel sticks fairly intently to the unique formulation
- The villainous Chozen is much more cartoonishly unlikable than Johnny Lawrence
- The sequel is not as centered or tightly structured as its predecessor