The Next Karate Kid Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		2.0
Audio		2.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		1.5

The Next Karate Kid Blu-ray Movie Review

Mill Creek has released 'The Next Karate Kid' to Blu-ray and is currently only available in a bundle with 'The Karate Kid: Part III.' Sony previously released the film to Blu-ray as part of its controversial 'Choice Collection' line. That disc offers vastly superior video and improved audio.

The Next Karate Kid Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Next Karate Kid shares a disc with The Karate Kid: Part III and unsurprisingly pales in comparison to the Sony release, which is a vastly superior, filmic, and very agreeable Blu-ray. Fortunately, this film does not look quite so nauseatingly horrible as Part III, but it suffers from many of the same problems, chief amongst them significant macroblocking compression artifacts visible in every single frame. Severity varies greatly, with some scenes nearly unwatchable and others passable. Detailing is generally decent, particularly in well-lit scenes (a dialogue scene between Julie and Mr. Miyagi in chapter five). At its best, facial textures appear nicely complex, while clothing lines and environmental definition hold firm enough to earn a passing grade. Colors could stand to enjoy a little more saturation but essentials such as denim, natural greens, and the like appear nicely enough. Black level depth is fair and flesh tones are not excessively pasty. Print speckles are commonplace. This image does not approach the excellence of Sony's release, but it's at least at the bottom tier of "passable."

The Next Karate Kid Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

This Blu-ray release of The Next Karate Kid features a Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack. The track's greatest limitation comes from the two-channel constraints. This track lacks the fluidity and openness the Sony 5.1 lossless track provides. Light environmental supports give modest definition to scenes. Musical spacing across the front is good and wide and essential clarity is fine. Sound effects such as punches and kicks boast fair depth. Dialogue is suitably clear and images towards the center.

The Next Karate Kid Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Mill Creek's Blu-ray release of The Next Karate Kid contains no extras. The Sony disc only offered a few trailers for the other films in the franchise.

The Next Karate Kid Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Mill Creek's Blu-ray release of The Next Karate Kid does not look good, but it's at the bottom of the "watchable" level of acceptableness. Audio is constrained by its two-channel and lossy configuration. No extras are included. The much pricier Sony disc is vastly superior.