Common Sense Media Review
By Charles Cassady Jr.
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent '90s sequel doesn't measure up to original.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Next Karate Kid
What's the Story?
In this installment of the series, karate master Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) leaves his California home to attend a ceremony honoring WWII veterans like himself. There he meets the widow of an old army buddy whose orphaned 17-year-old granddaughter, Julie (Hilary Swank), is in perpetual trouble at her Boston high school. Miyagi thinks he can help. At school, Julie is stalked by a bullying gang of athletes. At a Buddhist monastery, Miyagi teaches the rebellious girl self-esteem and self-defense. He even shows her how to dance, in preparation for the upcoming prom. Julie is a changed person now. But the jock bullies are not. Under orders from their coach, they crash the prom and later beat Julie's boyfriend. Enter Julie and Miyagi; she uses her karate to defeat the lead bully, while Mr. Miyagi trashes the cruel adult.
Is It Any Good?
It's eager to please, but this sequel offers an unsuccessful mix of warm relationships, stark brutality, and hit 1990s rock songs. A couple of charming moments, like the dance-teaching scene, are undermined by a predictable, violence-ridden story. "I don't think you know anything about girls!" bleats a reckless female teenager, being straightened out by the martial-arts wisdom of a kindly old Japanese karate master. Folks behind this movie don't seem to know much about girls. Or boys. Or grown-ups. But they sure know how to stage a fight.
The gender change does this Karate Kid sequel little good. In fact, it adds a disturbing sexual threat when the slavering jocks chase Julie through the deserted high school at night. Newcomer Hilary Swank and most of her fellow high schoolers all look to be in their mid-20s. The gentle, cross-cultural, cross-generational friendship between Miyagi and his new student is undercut by inevitable brawls. Whether with creeps in the classroom or drunks at a gas station, fisticuffs are never far off.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Miyagi's philosophy concerning fighting. Do most movie heroes share this attitude?
How does this movie compare to the original Karate Kid movie?
How does this movie address issues of bullying and sexual harassment?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 12, 1994
- On DVD or streaming : August 28, 2001
- Cast : Hilary Swank , Michael Ironside , Pat Morita
- Director : Christopher Cain
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Columbia Tristar
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Friendship
- Run time : 107 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence and some mild language
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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