"Karate Kid: Legends" – A New Belt in the Franchise’s Legacy

Following the conclusion of Cobra Kai, the Karate Kid franchise gives fans a sixth film in Karate Kid: Legends from Columbia Pictures. Directed by Jonathan Entwistle and written by Rob Lieber, Legends doesn't reinvent the dojo, but it doesn't have to. It's a respectful roundhouse to the legacy of the original franchise while confidently stepping into its modern gi.

The newest film centers on Li Fong (Ben Wang), a kung fu prodigy of Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) uprooted from China to New York City after a family tragedy. Finding himself in unfamiliar cultural and emotional territory, he bonds with Mia (Sadie Stanley), whose father, Victor (Joshua Jackson), runs a pizza shop and is a former boxer. Before you can say "sweep the leg," Li is running a foul on Conor (Aramis Knight), a local karate champ with a smug face that begs for a slow-mo kick.

Sensing that his old student is in trouble, Mr. Han makes his way to New York City to train Li for a tournament where, naturally, he will face off against Conor. Realizing he will need assistance, Mr. Han travels to the West Coast to seek help from the original Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio). The goal is to blend Mr. Han's fluid kung fu with LaRusso's Miyagi-do old-school style of defense, creating an East-meets-West hybrid that reflects both the characters' internal journeys and the film's thematic heart.

At its core, Karate Kid: Legends shouldn't work as well as it does. One of the things I appreciated about the film is that we get an early reveal of the connection between Miyagi and Mr. Han. The film then establishes the relationship between Mr. Han and Li before sending Li to the States.

In our lead role, Ben Wang is a real find and brings an honest teen angst to Li. Wang also displays commendable martial arts skills, particularly during a scene where he defends Victor from some petty thugs. Joshua Jackson is great in his role, and it's a shame he never got a chance to do a big-budget action movie. Sadie Stanley and Aramis Knight are good in their roles, rising above the typical teen character tropes.

The movie follows typical narratives, such as the underdog story and training sessions, but delivers them through genuine storytelling and impressive fight sequences. While the film is dripping in clichés, like sweat on a dojo floor, Karate Kid: Legends earns its black belt in the heart. 

Entwistle directs the movie with precision, adding vigor to action sequences while preserving vital character interactions. Rob Lieber's script maintains its foundation in established conventions while introducing sufficient emotional depth and cultural detail to validate its presence.

Karate Kid: Legends is a greatest hits remix and a spirited extension from its roots into future directions.

Final Grade: B

Karate Kid: Legends opens in theatres tomorrow.