The Karate Kid Part III (1989)

January 7, 2023 1:27 PM

Cobra Kai karate instructor John Kreese (Martin Kove) is still brooding over the defeat handed to him by Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita). With his slimy partner, Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith), Kreese plans an intricate payback that involves hiring a mean-spirited ringer (Sean Kanan) to rob Daniel of his championship title. When Mr. Miyagi refuses to train Daniel, even under threat, the boy makes the mistake of turning to Terry for guidance.

Also starring Robyn Lively, Randee Heller.

Directed by John Avildsen. Written by Robert Mark Kamen.

15% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Currently streaming in the US on AMC Plus and Showtime. JustWatch listing.

Wax on.

posted by DirtyOldTown (2 comments total)

I really loved the Silver character - and was thrilled to see him return in Cobra Kai.
posted by davidmsc at 6:46 AM on January 8, 2023

I didn't watch this when it came out, but I watched it before watching Cobra Kai.

Daniel LaRusso's decision to take his college money and use it to open a bonsai tree store in a very non-gentrified part of town, and then give that store a name that does not include the word 'bonsai' but instead references an amateur karate coach with one student, was the kind of decision you'd only make as a teenager who might be a little jet-lagged and has definitely been kicked in the head.
posted by box at 12:48 PM on January 10, 2023 [1 favorite]