Despite Karate Kid: Legends centering itself around a new character, Jonathan Entwistle‘s legacy sequel is like a greatest hits package, taking all the things that worked from previous Karate Kid offerings, removing the psychological fat that should be traumatizing its plethora of players, and wrapping it neatly in a family-friendly bow, presenting itself as a feature that’ll both appeal to long-standing fans and the uninitiated.
The film is very aware it’s relying on nostalgia in a variety of ways – it features prominent players from both the original films, Ralph Macchio‘s Daniel LaRusso (who appeared in the first three films from 1984 to 1989), and the 2010 remake-cum-sequel, Jackie Chan‘s shifu, Mr. Han – but it more shoehorns the duo in across its incredibly brisk 94 minutes, allowing the charming Ben Wang to position himself as the new titular moniker, a teenager named Li Fong, who is mentored under Han, but has his life in Beijing uprooted when his mother (Ming-Na Wen) takes a job in New York.
Though we get glimpses of Li and Han’s relationship as student and teacher, and the understanding that Li’s mother disapproves (we learn why through a series of flashbacks involving Li’s brother), it doesn’t take long for New York to become the main setting, where Rob Lieber’s script plays by a standard set of rules, but keeps things mostly engaging thanks to the introduction of its characters, namely fellow teen Mia (Sadie Stanley) and her dad, Victor (Joshua Jackson), a former boxing champion who, unsurprisingly, utilises Li’s skills.
The relationship that forms between Li and Mia is genuinely quite sweet, and it helps that Wang and Stanley play off each other in a natural manner. They drive much of the film’s emotional core, and the set-up between them and how Victor plays into it will easily help tide audiences over who await Han and Daniel’s presence; after a brief appearance at the beginning, Chan doesn’t show up until the back-end of the film, along with Macchio, who doesn’t feel entirely necessary, but is enjoyable to have back in action all the same.
Victor needing Li is the type of plotline that feels quite exaggerated, but Wang and Jackson make it work (it also helps that the latter looks considerably buff), as he owes a serious deal of cash to loan sharks and, naturally, thinks getting in the boxing ring to take out the prize money will solve the issue. Li, whose kung fu skills are quite masterfully shown off throughout in a series of expertly choreographed sequences, makes for a fine teacher, but we all know that a series of dramatic beats will be implemented that will result in he himself having to fight – and a local tournament known as The Five Burroughs Championship just happens to be looming.
From hereon, Li is prepped up by both Han and Daniel as he gears up to take on the reigning champion, Conor (Aramis Knight), an ill-tempered prodigy, who also happens to be Mia’s ex, so, you know, extra sauce to flavour their inevitable fight. Here, a new motto is founded as Han and Daniel come together, with the latter honouring his sensei, Mr. Miyagi, in the process. “Two branches, one tree,” is what’s sprouted across the final minutes, and it’s all so suitably inspiring, but it’s best if you don’t think about how similar Han and Miyagi’s paths have been in terms of the remake/sequel mentality.
There’s a lot of safe fun to be had with Karate Kid: Legends. It’s suitably rousing for the teen audience it’s targeting, and it delivers on its message of inspiration and staying true in the face of adversity without beating its viewers over the head. Chan and Macchio are clearly having fun, Wang makes for a solid lead, and the action on hand manages to feel exciting. A rare treat for the whole family to enjoy.
THREE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Karate Kid: Legends is screening in Australian theatres from June 5th, 2025.
