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 .
