Karate Kid: Legends
The sixth instalment in the kung fu franchise, Karate Kid: Legends, delivers a package not too dissimilar in story to the original 1984 blockbuster. When Li Fong (Ben Wang) and his mother (Ming-Na Wen) move from Beijing to New York City, Li struggles at first to fit in to his new environment, missing his old life in China and his fighting master Mr Han (Jackie Chan). After befriending Mia (Sadie Stanley), a local pizza waitress, and her dad Victor (Joshua Jackson), Li finds himself thrust into a world where trouble seems to come to him, much to the displeasure of his mother. When his new friends need his help, Li enters a karate competition, but must call upon the teachings of Mr Han and Miyagi-do karate sensei Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) to overcome the adversity in his way.
The Karate Kid franchise has always focused and relied on young protagonists to carry the story, and the acrobatic Wang proves to be a thoroughly likeable lead. He is evidently an incredibly talented martial artist and gives a charismatic and wholesome performance in this role. Likewise, fan favourites Chan and LaRusso make for entertaining viewing with a dynamic and witty relationship that embodies the “two branches, one tree” ethos that runs like a thread through movie. Fans won’t be remiss for wishing the duo had a little more screentime together.
On the flip side, there is a considerable amount of lazy writing when it comes to the wider cast and general plot. Firstly, there is a stereotypical villain established instantly in the psychopathic bully Connor Day (Aramis Knight), hellbent on beating Li up both at school and the dojo because he is just a boy angry about a girl. Then there is the fact the film feels like two screenplays fused together, with the first half proving really new and interesting before the formulaic Karate Kid story line returns in the second.
While Karate Kid: Legends may not be that explosive, it still packs an endearing punch by exploring the theme of grief through the world of karate. Through this and the cinematic editing of Justin Brown, the movie holds on to that warm and nostalgic feeling you get when watching movies of the New Hollywood and Modern Blockbuster eras. The fight sequences are excellent, albeit a little too snappy, but with a duration of just over 90 minutes, there is little time for the movie to hang around. While it truly is one for the fans, Karate Kid: Legends is also generally an enjoyable watch for the layman.
Guy Lambert
Karate Kid: Legends is released nationwide on 30th May 2025.
Watch the trailer for Karate Kid: Legends here:
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