The Karate Kid Part III
Synopsis of Movie
“Karate to defend life and honor means something. To defend a plastic trophy means nothing.”
When you’re the king of the hill, everybody wants to knock you off your throne—especially the old king. All-Valley Karate Champ Daniel LaRusso learned that lesson the hard way in The Karate Kid Part III, which brought back evil Cobra Kai sensei John Kreese, along with Daniel and his wise mentor, Mr. Miyagi.
After Daniel whipped Cobra Kai champ Johnny at the end of the original Karate Kid and Miyagi humiliated Kreese at the beginning of Part II, the “strike first, strike hard” sensei found himself on the outs in the karate community. Kreese’s school was closed, and he became a very bitter man. In Part III, the Vietnam vet hooks up with war buddy and fellow Cobra Kai Terry, who’s now running a very profitable toxic waste dumping business.
Meanwhile, Miyagi and Daniel-San are working on a new business of their own, selling bonsai trees from a small shop. Right across the street from the new bonsai shop is a pottery store, wherein works local cutie—and soon-to-be Karate Kid girlfriend number three—Jennifer.
Plotting his revenge on both Daniel and Miyagi, Kreese recruits “Bad Boy of Karate” Mike Barnes to his cause. The evil Barnes signs up for this year’s All-Valley Karate Championship, trying to goad Daniel into defending his title. Daniel is fired up and feisty as always, but the calmer Miyagi wants no part of it.
Enter Terry, who offers take over Daniel’s training. Daniel unwisely joins Terry, who teaches him the Kai’s violent ways. Naturally, it’s all a set-up, and after a few nasty confrontations, Miyagi and Daniel-San try to get it together for the big event.
Despite the return of stars Ralph Macchio and Noriyuki ‘Pat’ Morita, writer Robert Mark Kamen and director John G. Avildsen from the first two films, The Karate Kid Part III didn’t live up to its predecessors' lofty box-office standards. Die-hard fans cheered the return of Martin Kove (another three-film veteran) as bad guy Kreese, but most kids were more interested in ninja turtles than karate kids. A short-lived Karate Kid cartoon series debuted the same year, and in 1994, Mr. Miyagi took on a new student in The Next Karate Kid.
Movie Release History
1984 - The Karate Kid1986 - The Karate Kid Part II
1989 - The Karate Kid Part III
1994 - The Next Karate Kid
Movie Sub Categories
live-actionaction/adventure
drama
Movie Studio
ColumbiaCast
Daniel LaRusso Ralph MacchioMiyagi Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita
Jessica Robyn Lively
Terry Thomas Ian Griffith
Kreese Martin Kove
Mike Barnes Sean Kanan
Snake Jonathan Avildsen
Dennis Christopher Paul Ford
Lucille Randee Heller
Referee Pat Johnson
Announcer Rick Hurst
Mrs. Milo Frances Bay
Uncle Louie Joseph V. Perry
Milos Jan Triska
Margaret Diana Webster
Man #1 Patrick R. Posada
Delivery Man C. Darnell Rose
Glenn Medeiros Himself
Rudy Gabriel Jarret
Security Guard Doc Duhame
Sparring Partner #1 Randell Dennis Widner
Sparring Partner #2 Raymond S. Sua
Spectator #1 Garth Johnson
Spectator #2 E. David Tetro
Tahitian Girl #1 Helen Lin
Tahitian Girl #2 Meilani Figalan