Why You Should Stream The Next Karate Kid Despite Its Disappointing Reputation

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You might not know this, but there was actually a female lead in ‘The Karate Kid’ series! That would be ‘The Next Karate Kid’, which came out in 1994 and has been somewhat criticized. However, if you look beyond the criticism, Hilary Swank did an amazing job as Julie, a new student of Mr. Miyagi’s, in this fourth installment of the ‘Karate Kid’ franchise.

Even though ‘The Next Karate Kid’ was the lowest-grossing film in the series so far, it might still be worth checking out on Tubi, especially with the upcoming release of ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ on May 30.

What Is ‘The Next Karate Kid’ About?

Julie is a troubled teenager who lives with her grandmother in Boston after losing her parents. She often argues with her grandmother, teachers, and friends, but she finds peace caring for a hawk named Angel on the school’s roof. Mr. Miyagi, an old friend of Julie’s grandfather, suggests that Julie’s grandmother can temporarily stay with him in Los Angeles while he looks after Julie in Boston (a somewhat unusual arrangement since they had to create a scenario where Mr. Miyagi becomes romantically involved with one of his students).

At Julie’s school, a secretive group known as The Alpha Elite, made up of young men trained to safeguard the institution, is emerging with troubling undercurrents. The group’s unofficial leader is the volatile Ned Randall, who persistently makes inappropriate advances toward Julie, sometimes with the help of his fellow Alpha Elites. Among the prospective members of this elite force is part-time security guard Eric, who harbors a sincere romantic feeling for Julie and stands up for her against the other boys. However, on a day when Eric was absent, The Alpha Elite attacked Julie as she fed Angel at school after hours. Although she managed to flee, she was apprehended and suspended from school for two weeks due to trespassing charges.

One day at home, I almost get run over by a car, but instinctively leap into the tiger stance, much to my surprise. Reflecting on this event, I recall that my father had trained me in Karate when I was just a child. Miyagi, an old acquaintance of my father’s, tells me that my father learned Karate from him, who in turn had learned it from Miyagi himself. In order to help me catch up on the homework I’ve been neglecting, Miyagi offers to teach me Karate. This kicks off an adventure against the Alpha Elite, filled with wise monks, majestic hawks, self-discovery, and bonding through the art of Karate.

We’re on (Broken) Board With This Cast

Absolutely, streaming “The Next Karate Kid” offers an intriguing perspective as it features Hilary Swank in one of her early acting roles at just 20 years old. Additionally, the return of Noriyuki “Pat” Morita, who played Mr. Miyagi, is equally enticing. In essence, the cast boasts a collection of notable ’90s actors, delivering solid performances despite an occasionally absurd script.

Michael Ironside, famed for his roles in “Total Recall” and “Top Gun,” takes on the menacing character of “The Colonel.” Interestingly, Even Walton Goggins, a well-loved performer from Season 3 of “The White Lotus,” unexpectedly joins the cast as one of the Alpha Elite. It’s quite astonishing to witness actors who have achieved such prominence at relatively early stages in their careers.

Feminism and Fan Service

The Next Karate Kid might not feature Daniel LaRusso or characters from Cobra Kai that fans are accustomed to, yet it delivers plenty of references that make it a must-watch for any Karate Kid marathon. Without giving away too much, let’s hint at the fact that Mr. Miyagi attempts to teach Julie the famous “Wax on, Wax off” technique. Remarkably, Julie employs the pain suppression method from the original film to mend Angel’s broken wing.

The original spin on the franchise, featuring a feminine touch, is still entertaining to watch, even if it was met with mixed reviews due to its lighter, less serious tone compared to other Karate Kid films. Interestingly, The Next Karate Kid remains unique within the series as the only film focusing on a female protagonist, and its distinctively different feel sets it apart from the rest of the franchise. Hilary Swank and her character will always be remembered as one of the Karate Kids, which is quite cool.

The Next Karate Kid is streaming on Tubi.

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2025-05-29 23:02