Review by mcummings-89092

The first movie is a cult classic and further elevated by the Cobra Kai tv series but this sequel is kind of the kid in class you forget about. I was very young when the first movie was made but like so many kids at the time I absolutely loved it and joined up for Karate lessons. Despite this being released two years after the original the sequel just didn't capture the imagination. It's not a terrible movie by any stretch, it just feels unnecessary. It gives the back story of Mr Miyagi rather than Daniel learning karate - which was probably the pulling point of the first film. This in itself is fairly well done and actors generally do a good job just it doesn't capture the imagination. The whole sub plot of Daniel tagging a long to Japan and finding a new love interest feels very cliche in among the back story concept.

At least Cobra Kai understands why people fell in love with the Karate Kid. I'd say watch this movie only if you want to understand the origin of some characters in the TV show or you have an interest in understanding the Mr Miyagi back story.