Karate Kid 3: Daniel schließt sich den Cobra Kai an

Als der dritte Teil der Karate Kid-Filmreihe in den Kinos erschien, waren Fans auf der ganzen Welt gespannt zu erfahren, was Daniel LaRusso und sein Mentor Mr. Miyagi als nächstes erleben würden. Aber was niemand erwartet hatte, war die Tatsache, dass Daniel in diesem Film tatsächlich den Seiten wechseln würde und sich den Cobra Kai anschließen würde.

Die Handlung von Karate Kid 3

In diesem Film, der 1989 erschien, kehrt der Antagonist der ersten Karate Kid-Filme, John Kreese, zurück. Kreese ist immer noch wütend auf Daniel und Mr. Miyagi für ihre Niederlage im Finale des ersten Films, und plant nun Rache. Währenddessen fühlt sich Daniel von seinem Leben als Karatekämpfer entfremdet und ist von Selbstzweifeln geplagt.

Als er jedoch Mike Barnes trifft, einen Schüler von John Kreese und Mitglied der Cobra Kai, sieht Daniel eine Chance, seine Karriere wiederzubeleben. Mit der Unterstützung seines neuen Trainers beginnt Daniel, für das nächste All Valley Karate Turnier zu trainieren.

Daniel schließt sich den Cobra Kai an

Im Laufe des Trainings wird Daniel von Mike Barnes und John Kreese manipuliert und schließlich dazu gebracht, den Cobra Kai beizutreten. Durch seinen Wechsel erhofft er sich eine bessere Chance, das bevorstehende Turnier zu gewinnen.

Viele Fans waren skeptisch gegenüber dieser neuen Wendung in der Handlung, da die Cobra Kai im ersten Film ganz klar als die Bösen dargestellt wurden. Daniel, der Heldencharakter, der für das Gute stand, schien nun die Seite zu wechseln.

Nochmalige Rückkehr zur alten Moral

Aber wie bei den meisten Karate Kid-Filmen gibt es eine moralische Botschaft, die am Ende des Films klar wird. Daniel erkennt, dass er sich den Cobra Kai nur angeschlossen hat, weil er das Gefühl hatte, dass er keine andere Wahl hatte. Er erkennt, dass es wichtiger ist, ein guter Mensch zu sein, als ein erfolgreicher Karatekämpfer. Schließlich kehrt er zum Miyagi-Do Karate zurück und gewinnt das All Valley Karate Turnier, indem er seinen neuen Schülern beibringt, wie wichtig es ist, fair und ehrenhaft zu kämpfen.

Insgesamt war die Entscheidung, Daniel den Seitenwechsel zu ermöglichen, eine riskante Wahl für die Filmemacher. Aber letzten Endes trug es zu einer weiteren erfolgreichen Moralgeschichte in der Karate Kid-Filmreihe bei.

Everything You Need to Know about „Karate Kid 3: Daniel Joins Cobra Kai“

The “Karate Kid” saga has been a favorite among martial arts enthusiasts since the first movie premiered in 1984. However, it was the third installment, “Karate Kid 3: Daniel Joins Cobra Kai,” that had everyone talking.

The movie, released in 1989, follows Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) as he struggles to find his place in the world after the events of the second movie. Eventually, he joins forces with his old enemy, John Kreese (Martin Kove), and becomes a member of the same dojo where he learned karate years ago.

Though the movie had mixed reviews upon its release, it has since become a cult classic, and many fans still have questions about some of the plot points and characters. So, let’s dive into some of the most frequently asked questions about „Karate Kid 3: Daniel Joins Cobra Kai.“

1. Why Did Daniel Join Cobra Kai?

Many fans were shocked when they learned that Daniel, who had been an advocate for non-violence in the first two movies, would join a dojo known for its brutal and aggressive methods. The reason for this change in character lies in the plot of the movie. After losing to Mike Barnes (Sean Kanan), Daniel loses confidence in himself and his abilities. Kreese, who is back in town and looking for a way to gain revenge on Daniel and Mr. Miyagi, sees this as an opportunity to recruit him.

2. Wasn’t Kreese Dead?

Yes, at the end of „Karate Kid 2,“ Kreese appeared to die in a fight with his own student, Johny Lawrence (William Zabka). However, it was later revealed in the third movie that Kreese had in fact survived and was hiding out somewhere in the world. He returns to the Cobra Kai dojo with a new student, Barnes, and a plan to take down Daniel and Mr. Miyagi.

3. Who Was Terry Silver?

Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) was introduced in „Karate Kid 3“ as Kreese’s friend and business partner. He was also the mastermind behind the plan to defeat Mr. Miyagi and Daniel. Silver, a wealthy businessman, funds Cobra Kai and manipulates Daniel into joining the dojo. He assures Daniel that he will help him win the tournament and get his life back on track.

4. What Was the Deal with the “Special Project”?

Early on in the movie, Terry Silver mentions a „special project“ that he and Kreese have been working on. It is later revealed that the project was a fake tournament designed to trick Daniel into thinking he was facing weaker opponents. The goal was to have Daniel overconfident and then defeat him in the final match, which was rigged in Barnes‘ favor.

5. Why Did Daniel Destroy the Bonsai Tree at Mr. Miyagi’s House?

Towards the end of the movie, Daniel becomes convinced that Mr. Miyagi cares more about the bonsai tree than he does about him. This leads to a moment where Daniel destroys the tree in a fit of anger. It’s a significant moment in the movie because it shows how much Daniel has changed since joining Cobra Kai. Ultimately, Daniel realizes the error of his ways and apologizes to Mr. Miyagi.

6. Did the Movie Have Any Sequels?

Yes, the „Karate Kid“ franchise continued with a fourth movie, „The Next Karate Kid,“ which starred Hilary Swank in the lead role. However, many fans consider „Karate Kid 3: Daniel Joins Cobra Kai“ to be the last true installment in the series.

7. Does „Karate Kid 3: Daniel Joins Cobra Kai“ Hold Up Today?

Although „Karate Kid 3: Daniel Joins Cobra Kai“ may not have aged as well as the original movie, it still has a dedicated fan base. The movie’s themes of redemption, loyalty, and forgiveness continue to resonate with audiences, and the final fight scene is still considered one of the best in the franchise.

The Verdict

„Karate Kid 3: Daniel Joins Cobra Kai“ may not have been as well-received as the first two movies in the franchise, but it still has a lot to offer fans. With the return of Kreese and the introduction of Terry Silver, the movie adds an interesting layer of complexity to the story. Ultimately, „Karate Kid 3“ serves as a reminder that even the best of us can make mistakes and that redemption is always possible.