The Karate Kid Part III (1989)

Ostracised villain John Kreese attempts to gain revenge on Daniel and Miyagi, with the help of a Vietnam War comrade, the wealthy owner of a toxic waste disposal business.

Director:

John G. Avildsen

Writers:

Robert Mark Kamen (characters), Robert Mark Kamen

Stars:

Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Robyn Lively

5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ralph Macchio	...	Daniel
Pat Morita	...	Mr. Miyagi (as Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita)
Robyn Lively	...	Jessica
Thomas Ian Griffith	...	Terry
Martin Kove	...	Kreese
Sean Kanan	...	Mike Barnes
Jonathan Avildsen	...	Snake
William Christopher Ford	...	Dennis (as Christopher Paul Ford)
Randee Heller	...	Lucille
Pat E. Johnson	...	Referee
Rick Hurst	...	Announcer
Frances Bay	...	Mrs. Milo
Joseph V. Perry	...	Uncle Louie
Jan Tríska	...	Milos
Diana Webster	...	Margaret

Storyline

John Kreese, his life in tatters after his karate school was defeated by Daniel and Miyagi, visits Terry Silver, a Vietnam War comrade. Terry is a ruthless businessman and martial arts expert, and he vows to help Kreese gain revenge on Daniel and Miyagi, and reestablish Cobra Kai. Upon returning from Okinawa, Daniel and Miyagi discover that their apartment building has been demolished, which brings Miyagi out of work. Going against Miyagi's wishes, Daniel uses his college funds to realize Miyagi's dream of opening a bonsai tree shop, and becomes a partner in the bonsai business.

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Plot Keywords:

teenage boy | vietnam war veteran | underdog | pain | blood | 

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Taglines:

This time he has to choose.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Family | Sport

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 June 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Karate Kid 3

Filming Locations:

130 N. Avenue 50, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$38,956,288

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Weintraub International Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of Thomas Ian Griffith, who portrays a Vietnam veteran; in real life, Griffith was only 13 years old when the Vietnam War ended. At the time this movie was made, Thomas was also four months younger than Ralph Macchio who played a teenager.

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Goofs

In KK1, the All-Valley Tournament announcer cites Johnny as two-time winner of the Grand Championship, back now to defend his title. Yet, at the end of KK3, Daniel is cited as the first person ever to win the Tournament two years in a row.

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Quotes

Daniel Larusso: Why don't you just take off.
Dennis: [shoves Daniel hard] You take off!

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Connections

Referenced in The Inner Circle with Jenny McCarthy: Cobra Kai with Ralph Macchio and William Zabka (2018)

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Soundtracks

Summer in the City
Written by John Sebastian, Steve Boone and Mark Sebastian
Performed by The Pointer Sisters

User Reviews

Not that bad, but it is nothing brilliant either

Having enjoyed the first two films, I wanted to see this film too. While not particularly brilliant, I do think it is better than people make it out to be. The script is weak, the plot predictable and the villains unbelievable with somewhat unrealistic motives. However, it did move fairly briskly, had some neat direction, it looked good, the karate sequences were efficient and well choreographed, the ending was decent and there is some nice messaging. I have liked the character of Miyagi as well, he strikes me as wise and caring, the sort of character I like. The acting also was not too bad, Ralph Macchio once again is appealing while Pat Morita, who is always watchable, gives another solid performance. Overall, it was decent, while nothing exceptional. 6/10 Bethany Cox