[6]
Ralph Macchio and Noriyuki “Pat” Morita reprise their roles in the sequel to The Karate Kid. This time, Mr. Miyagi (Morita) takes Daniel (Macchio) with him on a visit to Okinawa to bid farewell to Miyaki’s dying father. Once there, one of Miyagi’s childhood friends, Sato (Danny Kamekona), demands Miyagi fight him to settle old grievances. Meanwhile, Daniel falls in love with an Okinawan dancer (Tamlyn Tomita) while trying to avoid Sato’s hot-head nephew (Yuji Okumoto). Clinging to their belief that karate is for self-defense only, Daniel and Mr. Miyagi struggle to avoid fighting their antagonists. But a hurricane brings everything to a head — causing one villain to seek forgiveness, while the other demands retribution in a public arena.
While The Karate Kid Part II is an unnecessary an indisputably inferior sequel, it nevertheless coasts on the charm of its two leads and their moving character relationship. The film also benefits from beautiful location photography (it was filmed in Hawaii) and composer Bill Conti’s successful efforts to top his own work from the first film. New supporting players Tamlyn Tomita and Yuji Okumoto more than meet the demands of the screenplay, though Danny Kamekona feels like he’s in a different, more grindhouse-style movie. The almost-mythic depiction of Okinawan honor and tradition is sometimes stretched to the breaking point. I mean, are these characters really willing to kill each other over a lovers’ quarrel from fifty years ago? Still, if you’re willing to accept a little cheesy storytelling and the operatic treatment of Okinawan culture, The Karate Kid Part II isn’t a bad little popcorn muncher.
Directed by John G. Avildsen and written by Robert Mark Kamen, both returning from the first film. With Nobu McCarthy and a returning cameo from Martin Kove.
Oscar Nomination: Best Song (“Glory of Love”)