Here is introduced a new kid , girl , with the subsequently two times Oscarized Hilary Swank . This is an entertaining and fun martial arts movie with the intimate Pat Morita (his final appearance as Keisake Miyagi) , and , as always , the show belongs to Noriyuki-Miyagi . The story deals with a troublesome teenager named Julie (a newcomer Hilary Swank) , thanks to Miyagi she learns that Karate is her salvation , as she battles an evil nemesis , facing off a violent young group trained by an expert fighter (Michael Ironside) . Along the way, the Japanese Miyagi (Noriyuki, Pat Morita) born in Okinawa teaches his martial arts and to combat at a Zen temple along with some sympathetic monks . Meanwhile , Julie falls in love with a friendly youngster (Chris Conrad) .

This enjoyable movie , a sort of female junior version of 'Rocky' , develops a sincere and deep friendship between two protagonists , the rookie young girl and the wise old man . Using more than her fists , Julie learns about herself and the sense of life . Agreeable and likable acting by main actors : Pat Morita and Hilary Swank . Furthermore , it appears as secondaries , the ordinary baddie : Michael Ironside , and the veteran Constance Towers who formerly worked in various films directed by John Ford . The picture contains adequate cinematography by Laszlo Kovacs and long-standing musical score , though with some disco-music , by composer Bill Conti , trilogy's usual , who composed Rocky saga as well. This feel-good message picture was professionally directed by Christopher Cain , though John G. Avildsen was originally slated to shhot his fourth Karate Kid film , but he dropped out in order to make 8 seconds (1994) . The three previous films , all of them produced by Jerry Weintraub and directed by John G Avildsen , are the following ones : original ¨Karate Kid I (1984¨) in which are presented the classic characters : Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita , ¨Karate Kid II (1986)¨ where the protagonists travel to Okinawa and ¨Karate Kid III (1989)¨ where Daniel again battling nasty enemies . Finally , this ¨The Next Karate Kid (1994)¨, rating : acceptable and passable sequel , worthwhile seeing . This heartwarming will appeal to Karate Kid trilogy fans .

The Next Karate Kid has Pat Morita at a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery for the Japanese-American veterans. Afterward he agrees to kind of babysit Hillary Swank who is the grand daughter of Constance Towers his former commanding officer. She's a rebellious youth who never got over losing her parents in a car crash.

Morita succeeds in awakening an interest in karate that Swank's late father tried to teach her. She'll need it because there's another sensei who has gone over to the dark side. Michael Ironside who is a cop and part time teacher has raised a gang of karate thugs of whom Michael Cavalieri is head. This crowd only needs MAGA hats to make it complete.

If you saw the other three Karate Kid movies you know how this one goes. The same plot elements are in all three.

There was no great demand for a sequel, but that sure didn't hurt Hillary Swank any with two Oscars in her future. This is a pleasant piece of family viewing.

THE NEXT KARATE KID is a few-years-down-the-line spin-off from the original series. Thankfully the kid star of the original trilogy has long since departed, although Pat Morita is back with his fun and warm-hearted character. This one reminded me of ROCKY V a little in its depiction of the new generation dealing with their own problems and issues. Hilary Swank is fun in the lead role, although hardly convincing in the fighting stakes; best of them all is the great Michael Ironside as another growling villain with a ton of screen presence. The film offers violent moments countered with some fun light-hearted scenes, such as the bits with the monks in the bowling alley, a definite highlight.