I avoided this one for a while because I figured it would be bad. Nobody ever really talks about it, so what gives? I guess Daniel San isn't a kid anymore, so fresh blood was needed. This time, we get Hilary Swank, and you know what? She does a damn fine job.

Julie Pierce is an angry teen. She's been recently orphaned and has a rough time in high school. Violent male stalkers, poor attendance, unsympathetic teachers, the works. However, when Mr. Miyagi is shoe-horned into her life, things start to turn around for her. You know how these movies go.

Of course, there must be a villain, and it's a bunch of testosterone tough guys led by a hate-mongering Michael Ironside. Was this guy born to play an asshole, or what? Here, he's filling in the need for a Kreese-like character. He's training his male students to seek out revenge over the stupidest transgressions. Try to help someone who got hurt? We'll make him pay for that! Seriously, what a bunch of dumbasses.

It's hard to reboot a franchise without its "main" character, but Swank does a great job, and she's looking fine in this movie. What a tight body. And it's perfectly legal for me to say that, because she was 20 when she made this movie.

As the last known student of Mr. Miyagi, I think it would be a great move to bring her into the show sometime. Hell, maybe even bring Michael Ironside back too (for moral support, I doubt he's very physical these days). And for good measure, they should also bring back Walton Goggins mostly useless side character, because it's Walton Goggins. He'll steal any scene you give him.

Not a bad movie. Don't try to get me to watch the Karate Kid remake though. I'm not that brave.