There’s something to be said for predictability. It’s comforting to know that the sun will rise tomorrow, even if we don’t; it’s comforting to know that what goes up will inevitably come down; and it’s comforting to know that in movie land the Good Guys always win.

The Karate Kid, Part II is a very comforting movie.

It opens with the closing scenes from The Karate Kid and continues the tale of Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Miyagi (Noriyuki “Pat” Morita) without a hitch — except for the rather awkward absence of Elizabeth Shue as Daniel’s old girlfriend. Rest assured, however, that he gets a new steady before the end of the first reel, though the fate of Shue is never mentioned. Instead, newcomer Tamlyn Tomita is brought in to play the new love interest, Kumiko....