The Karate Kid Part III
Columbia Pictures | Release Date: June 30, 1989 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
36
METASCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews
Positive:
0
Mixed:
6
Negative:
6
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
EmpireRob Beattie
Morita still charms, Macchio still tightropes between petulence and raw optimism, whilst the fight scenes are competent enough to offset the woeful romantic sub-plotting. Read full review
50
The New York TimesCaryn James
With its sluggish script and unaging characters, The Karate Kid Part III has the rote sense of film makers trying to crank out another moneymaker. Read full review
50
Chicago TribuneDave Kehr
Perhaps the series is simply getting cynical and tired. Read full review
50
Time OutStaff (Not Credited)
After suffering endless abuse, Daniel wins with just a few well placed whacks: those expecting standard wish-fulfilment fantasy will be disappointed that (in tune with the philosophy, of course) he didn't give the punk a pasting. Read full review
50
St. Louis Post-DispatchMartha Baker
John Avildsen directs from Robert Mark Kamen's elementary script with the simple understanding of the ancient battle between good and evil where the victor is never doubted - for long. [03 July 1989, p.3D]
40
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
Unfortunately, the pattern has so calcified that Gene Autry westerns seem like models of moral complexity by comparison. Read full review
38
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
This material is wearing out its welcome. I have mastered all of the lessons The Karate Kid movies have to teach and all of the surprises they have to spring. I am also intimately familiar with the plot formula, so that nothing in this third film comes as the faintest surprise. Perhaps it is time, as Mr. Miyagi might say, to study something else. Read full review
38
Miami HeraldJuan Carlos Coto
There are more fight scenes in this movie than the first two installments, but the plot is silly and the come-from-behind climax isn't believable. The movie's only asset is Griffith's hammy performance. [30 June 1989, p.H12]
37
Washington PostRita Kempley
Although III claims seven times as much action as ever before, the movie is still so boring that even the love interest (Robyn Lively) leaves early. She's no Kung Fool. Read full review
30
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
In short, writer Robert Mark Kamen gave director Avildsen and his cast too little to work with for The Karate Kid Part III to have gone into production in the first place. Read full review
30
VarietyStaff (Not Credited)
The makers of The Karate Kid Part III - also responsible for its successful predecessors - have either delivered or taken a few too many kicks to the head along the way, resulting in a particularly dimwitted film that will likely spell the death of the series. Read full review
25
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
More a sequel to the original than an extension of the action in Part II, The Karate Kid Part III is half-hearted and very dull. Read full review
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