The Next Karate Kid

Synopsis of Movie
Ralph Macchio was in his early 30’s by 1994, and the “Karate Kid” designation no longer fit. Rather than rename the franchise “Karate Man” or “Karate Dude,” producer Jerry Weintraub instead decided to find a new pupil for Mr. Miyagi to train as The Next Karate Kid. And like the film’s promotional materials reminded us, “Who says the good guy has to be a guy?”
At the funeral of an old war buddy, Mr. Miyagi catches up with the man’s widow, Louise Pierce. She’s got her hands full with rebellious granddaughter Julie, a 17-year-old with a chip on her shoulder ever since her parents died in a car accident. When Louise gets called away on business, Miyagi offers to babysit the troubled teen.
Julie’s up to her ears in problems at school, where a bunch of militaristic jerks called the “Alpha Elite” lead a reign of terror under the command of Colonel Dugan. Chief among the Alpha Elite is Ned, who makes Julie a personal target. The unpopular tomboy finds a friend in Eric, an Alpha Elitist with a soft side. Julie also has another pal, a hawk named Angel, whom Julie is nursing back to health on her school’s roof. One night, Ned catches Julie sneaking in and tries to get physical with her. Julie escapes, but she’s unfairly suspended as a result.
Under Miyagi’s direction, Julie rides out her suspension at a monastery, where the master trains her in the art of karate and the Zen way of life: “Respect all living things.” Sporting a few new kicks and a healthy new attitude, Julie returns to school, ignoring the bullies and focusing on her budding romance with Eric. But those Alpha jerks just won’t let well enough alone, turning the school prom into the butt-kick-fest everyone’s been waiting for.
Taking over the “Karate Kid” mantle was Hilary Swank, a future Beverly Hills 90210 regular and Oscar winner. Noriyuki ‘Pat’ Morita gave the film a warm, reassuring presence in his return to the Mr. Miyagi role, but it wasn’t enough to kick off a new Karate Kid franchise.
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
Miyagi Noriyuki 'Pat' MoritaJulie Pierce Hilary Swank
Dugan Michael Ironside
Louisa Constance Towers
Eric Chris Conrad
Abbot Monk Arsenio 'Sonny' Trinidad
Ned Michael Cavalieri
Charlie Walt Goggins
Tall Monk Jim Ishida
Monk Rodney Kageyama
Buddist Monk Seth Sakai
Mr. Wilkes Eugene Boles
School Clerk Keena Keel
Morgan Tom Downey
T.J.* Brian McGrail
Pizza Driver Wayne Chou
Senator Daniel Inouye Himself
Wilson Gustave Johnson
O'Connor Brian Smiar
Westcott Boys Christopher Beam
Westcott Boys Eric Beam
Westcott Boys Scott Powderly
Leon Davis Robinson
Ernie Anthony Ejarque
Ted Steven Mark Friedman
Roland Christopher Wilder
Sales Woman Annette Miller
Jack Russell Bud Ekins
Larry Townes Paul Bronk
Dusty Fred Fontana
Girl at Prom Julie Caroline Weintraub
Bungee Jumpers Johnny Melton
Bungee Jumpers Chad Melton
Bungee Jumpers Scott Strupe