Credit should go to John G Avildsen, who won the 1976 best director Oscar for Rocky and transferred that film’s "underdog overcoming the odds" formula to the coming-of-age story of teenager Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) taking on his bullies by learning karate from genial teacher/mentor-cum-surrogate father Mr Miyagi (played by an Oscar-nominated Pat Morita).
"Two branches, one tree" is his mantra, and that becomes the motif of this sadly underwhelming next chapter in the franchise.
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Of course, that does not last for long after Li is befriended by Victor (Joshua Jackson), an affable ex-boxer-turned-pizzeria owner, and his daughter, Mia (Sadie Stanley).
Li then takes on the role of trainer to Victor (recalling those rousing DIY training sessions from the Rocky films), so he can earn money to pay off his debt. However, it soon becomes clear Li is going to have to face Conor at the annual Five Boroughs tournament.
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The Phoenician Scheme review: Wes Anderson's latest is a quaint tale of industrial espionageMission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning review: Closing chapter is clunky but eventually exhilaratingIndeed, a scene of sensei double-act Han and LaRusso demonstrating their martial arts chops is reduced to briefly neutralising a few thugs after one of Li’s bouts.
Even Ming-Na, who played formidable fighter Melinda May in the Agents of SHIELD TV show and has made multiple appearances in the Disney+ Star Wars franchise, is left merely looking either stern or fretful throughout.
Pity the previous 90 minutes could not match it.
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