Babes in Toyland (1986)

It's Xmas eve in Cincinnati, but eleven-year-old Lisa (Drew Barrymore) isn't feeling the seasonal spirit. I kind of respected her at that stage, but the film is about recapturing it, so something had to give. In Wizard of Oz style she wakes in Toyland, wherein people from her real life take on roles in the new world, including her sister's sleazy boss and his employee Keanu.
The world is populated by story folk, which means man-size teddy bears and simpletons with the intelligence of chocolate chip cookies. But Pat Morita, too, which was a surprise. Will Lisa stop the rotten Barnaby (Richard Mulligan) from ruling Toyland and find in her heart not just the true spirit of Xmas but the importance of embracing childhood, too? Is there even any doubt?

2 flower cars out of 5

The Next Karate Kid (1994)

Mr. Miyagi gets drafted into helping an old army buddy's granddaughter (Hilary Swank) find inner-peace. She's an orphaned youth with anger issues, striking out at everyone, even those who wish to help her. Her only confidant is a hawk, a kindred spirit with a symbolic wounded wing.
The coachings in responsibility, acceptance and patience are delivered in the sensei's usual lesson-within-a-lesson system, but his having to adjust to the ways of a teenage girl adds an element of humour to the formula.
The three previous films weren't groundbreaking works, so there's no reason to expect any different from the fourth entry. It's a simple and enjoyable story that puts emphasis more on the importance of healing than on fighting.

2½ party monks out of 5

The Karate Kid Part III (1989)

Set one year after the tournament that ended the first film, Part III attempts to move the story forward while also looking back. A character from the duo's past is downtrodden, but has a rich benefactor who's little more than a two dimensional comic book villain replete with fat cigars to chomp on.
Mr Miyagi is at a loose end, too, but all he has is Daniel, who's turning into a jerk, in danger of becoming the thing that he hates. A new love interest adds little of value, so it's left to Miyagi to be the rock that can keep the maturing student on the correct path, but the sensei's role is again lessened from what it was in Part II (1986). He provides instruction only when needed, hoping that faith and common sense will act as guides in his absence.
As enjoyable as it is to see the story continued, it's the weakest of the trilogy, with a retread ending that lacks the power of the original film.

2½ deep roots out of 5

The Karate Kid Part II (1986)

Freed from the 'sports movie' template, and after some convenient missing-cast explanations, the action moves to Okinawa, Miyagi's place of birth. Events in the tiny village enable the father/son and sensei/student relationship that was formed in TKK Part I to evolve in a more engaging way, but this time it's Miyagi who takes centre stage, with Daniel-san playing the support role.
Conflict comes in the form of rekindled feelings for an old flame and an old friend, the latter of which still feels the pain of an old wound.
Parts of the Daniel sub-story play out in a manner that's altogether too similar to how they did before, but there's a maturity to the consequences now, which makes it more meaningful to an adult audience; however, younger fans may find less to latch onto than they did in the first film.

3½ village deeds out of 5

The Karate Kid (1984)

After moving to California with his mom, Daniel quickly makes an enemy of a clichéd high school bully. Both parties have an interest in karate, which adds flavour to what's on the surface a straightforward 80s underdog story.
There are teenager levels of romance to contend with, but it's illustrated with the best intentions, so it's not as forced as it could've been. The real treasure is the believable sincerity that characterises the relationship that Mr Miyagi has not just with the eager-to-learn Daniel but with the wider world.
Actor Pat Morita's understated performance keeps Miyagi as a supporting character while simultaneously elevating him to become the true emotional core of the story; with a single wordless glance he can communicate a whole chapter's worth of feelings. He embodies what belief, patience, wisdom and sensitivity can achieve when each element achieves balance.

3 DIY accomplishments out of 5