Review by Jon Donnis
There's something quietly reassuring about a film that knows exactly what it is. Karate Kid: Legends doesn't try to reinvent the wheel. It leans into the nostalgia, embraces the familiar beats, and then slips in just enough new energy to make it feel fresh. The result is a tight, spirited martial arts drama that feels like a proper chapter in the franchise rather than just a spin-off or legacy cash-in.
This time around, we meet Li Fong, played by Ben Wang, who gives a grounded, honest performance as a young kung fu prodigy uprooted from his life in Beijing and dropped into the rougher corners of New York City. You feel the weight on him. He's dealing with grief, change, cultural dislocation, and teenage awkwardness, all while trying to stay true to himself in a world that's clearly lost its balance. His dynamic with his mother, played by Ming-Na Wen, is tense and believable, especially as she urges him to leave martial arts behind for good.
Things shift when he crosses paths with Mia Lipani and her dad, Victor, a former boxing champ turned pizzeria owner, both of whom bring a warm, blue-collar energy into the mix. Their world feels real, like something you'd find in the Bronx or Queens on a weekday evening. That comfort doesn't last long, though. There's trouble, of course, in the form of Conor Day, a smug, technically brilliant karate champion who pushes Li to his limits, both in and out of the ring.
Once Jackie Chan's Mr Han re-enters the picture, the tempo picks up. There's a satisfying rhythm to his scenes, with the humour and dry wisdom that Chan always nails. He's not just there for a cameo or fan service either. Mr Han genuinely feels like a character who's been living in this world all along, quietly shaped by loss and duty. His decision to call in Daniel LaRusso feels earned, not gimmicky, and when Ralph Macchio finally shows up, the nostalgia hits hard.
There's something almost surreal about seeing Macchio and Chan sharing scenes together. It's long overdue. And weirdly, it works. They balance each other well. Macchio still has that earnest, slightly awkward charm, and you can tell he's playing LaRusso with a bit more depth now, like someone who's seen too much but still believes in doing the right thing. The two mentors tag-teaming Li's training, mixing Miyagi-Do with Han's kung fu, gives the film a fresh twist while respecting its roots.
The action is slick without going over the top. It's not wire-fu or Marvel-level madness. It's more grounded, focused on technique and impact. When Li starts training for the Five Boroughs Tournament, the choreography steps up, and you can tell they put thought into blending the different fighting styles. Still, part of me missed the slower, more meditative training montages the older films did so well. The rooftop garden stuff is lovely, but it could've used more breathing room.
There are a few bumps. It takes nearly an hour for LaRusso to show up, which feels like a missed opportunity considering how much weight his name still carries. And while Johnny Lawrence's late cameo is a blast, it leaves you wanting more. He steals every second he's on screen, delivering some brilliantly sharp lines, and you can't help but wish he'd been threaded into the story earlier.
But the film's strength is how it ties things together. It doesn't just go through the motions. There's emotional weight behind Li's choices, especially when you learn more about his brother Bo and how that trauma has shaped his mother's fears and his own hesitations. The final confrontation hits hard not just because of the physical stakes, but because it represents something bigger for Li. A reckoning. A kind of peace.
Clocking in at around 90 minutes, it never overstays its welcome. It's lean, well-paced, and surprisingly heartfelt. You get a proper arc, some cracking fight scenes, moments of genuine humour, and that warm, familiar glow that only Karate Kid stories seem to manage without turning saccharine.
Karate Kid: Legends isn't trying to be clever. It doesn't need to be. It knows the formula, it respects it, and it executes it well. And with Ben Wang leading the way, there's every chance this franchise might still have a few more rounds in it.
A confident, well-crafted return. I'd give it a solid 9 out of 10.
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