It's a bad film, a few redeeming factors, but a really bad end to The Karate Kid saga. The script is terrible, with dialogue horribly shoehorning in "my parents died in a car accident" very early on. Plus scenes throughout the film happen for absolutely no reason (inside bungee jump goes unexplained), no motive no consequence.
The worst part is the bad guys though, where (clearly adult) high school monitors are led by a teacher (?) who incites murder. His little army have more Hitler Youth vibes than necessary, with the main one's, Ned, first scene getting a bit too rape-y for a family film. Seriously creepy, this muscle-bound man-child seemingly working full time as security, terrorising anyone who won't 'go to the docks' with him (the docks are clearly important to this character). They even dress in their own little black uniform as if they're mix between greasers and Nazis.
Swank plays the angry teen okay, but it's not a good character, simply a cliche. Even Pat Morita, who is as good in this as the previous three, couldn't save this one.
The worst part is the bad guys though, where (clearly adult) high school monitors are led by a teacher (?) who incites murder. His little army have more Hitler Youth vibes than necessary, with the main one's, Ned, first scene getting a bit too rape-y for a family film. Seriously creepy, this muscle-bound man-child seemingly working full time as security, terrorising anyone who won't 'go to the docks' with him (the docks are clearly important to this character). They even dress in their own little black uniform as if they're mix between greasers and Nazis.
Swank plays the angry teen okay, but it's not a good character, simply a cliche. Even Pat Morita, who is as good in this as the previous three, couldn't save this one.