Or Here...

Karate Here (Part 1)

Riding high from his victory, Part II finds “Daniel” traveling to Okinawa to visit “Mr. Miyagi’s” dying father. Only then do we learn that “Mr. Miyagi” fled the country when his best friend, “Sato,” challenged him to a fight to the death years ago over a girl they both loved. Now that he’s returned, “Sato” finally wants to exact his revenge and fight, but “Mr. Miyagi” refuses. In the meantime, “Daniel” manages to offend the honor of “Sato’s” protégé, a young firebrand named “Chozen.” Everything comes to a head, however, when “Sato” threatens to bulldoze an entire village if “Mr. Miyagi” doesn’t fight him. He has no choice, so “Mr. Miyagi” agrees to fight. But after a freak monsoon, in which “Mr. Miyagi” saves his life, “Sato” forgives “Mr. Miyagi.” Unfortunately for “Daniel,” “Chozen” is not so kind hearted and at a special ceremony recognizing “Sato’s” reconciliation with the village, “Chozen” challenges “Daniel” to a fight to the death. This is no tournament, “Mr. Miyagi” reminds him. So, “Daniel” obviously turns to his crane kick, but “Chozen” is too good for that. Only after all the onlookers begin playing the previously alluded to toy, does “Daniel” discover his mojo and defeat “Chozen,” and in the process, utters one of the greatest bits of dialogue in film history. With his foe beaten and broken, “Daniel” asks, “Live or die, man?” “Chozen” chooses die, to which “Daniel” replies, “Wrong,” and honks his nose. Of course, he learns this amazing trick from “Mr. Miyagi” earlier in the film, but it’s three times as funny, if not more, at this climactic moment.

Having now emerged unscathed from a battle to the death, “Daniel” figures he’d be able to live out the rest of his days in relative peace. His assumption remains true until a letter arrives from the All Valley Under 18 Karate Championships people. It informs “Daniel” that if he chooses to, he can compete in the upcoming tournament and only have to fight in a grand championship match. In other words, he need only duke it out in one match to defend his title. But, after talking with “Mr. Miyagi,” he decides that after fighting for his life, a simple large trophy means nothing. Unfortunately for “Daniel,” however, his victory in Part I proved to be a financial disaster for the “Cobra Kai” karate dojo. Consequently, the owners enlist “Mike Barnes,” the undisputed “bad boy” of karate to win the tournament and face “Daniel” in the grand championship. “Daniel” adamantly refuses to fight, and only after being left for dead in a gorge by “Mike” and his stooges, does “Daniel” agree to fight. Despite being completely overmatched in the championship, where “Mike” simply toys with him until sudden death overtime, “Daniel” uses kata to stun his opponent and grasp victory from the jaws of defeat.

Which now brings us to the question at hand, which villain is the strongest? From the above synopses, it’s probably pretty clear who ranks first: “Chozen” form Part II. I mean, the dude challenges “Daniel” to a fight to the death. That says something. He trusts in his skills so much that he’s willing to die for them. Plus, that means he’s willing to kill (now I know “Mike” deprives “Daniel” of his mountain climbing ropes in Part III, thereby potentially leaving him for dead, but that is clearly an empty threat, he doesn’t have the spine to watch “Daniel” die). And he has the skills to do just that. Frankly, “Daniel” gets his ass kicked. Without the severe home court advantage, I’m not sure he walks out of that ancient ruin alive. Now that’s a villain. Neither of the other two would kill a person, and that’s just being a pussy in my book...

Stay tuned for the dramatic conclusion

-Backwords K
Backwords K is a contributor to the wonderful world of Taylorbunts