Karate Kid: Legends Fails to Deliver New Excitement

LOS ANGELES, CA — The latest installment in the Karate Kid franchise, titled Karate Kid: Legends, has hit theaters, but it lacks the charm that captivated audiences in previous films. Directed by Jonathan Entwistle and written by Rob Lieber, this legacy sequel brings back iconic characters but falls short of delivering a cohesive story.

In Karate Kid: Legends, young martial artist Li Fong, played by Ben Wang, moves from Beijing to New York City with his mother, Dr. Fong, portrayed by Ming-Na Wen. Due to a new job opportunity for his mother, Li is uprooted and thrown into a new world. He quickly befriends the pizza shop owner’s daughter Mia, played by Sadie Stanley, and her father Viktor, played by Joshua Jackson.

As the story unfolds, Li finds himself entrenched in the local martial arts scene, facing off against school bully Conor Day (Aramis Knight) in the Five Boroughs tournament. With help from iconic characters like Mr. Han, depicted by Jackie Chan, and original Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso, played by Ralph Macchio, Li trains to prepare for the tournament.

Despite having a high-profile cast, the film struggles to find its footing. Critics have noted that while Wang exudes charisma, the narrative feels disjointed, lacking character depth and urgency. The fights come across as formulaic, failing to build suspense or emotional investment.

“Until Cobra Kai came along, the original Karate Kid was probably the only truly good entry in this franchise,” noted a reviewer. The nostalgic allure of having Chan and Macchio together on screen fails to compensate for the lack of originality in the storyline.

“Karate Kid: Legends” clocks in at 94 minutes but feels longer due to its rambling pacing and reliance on cliché tropes from the franchise’s past. Critics pointed out that much of the character development happens during rapid montages, which detracts from any opportunities to build a connection with audiences.

In a world where Cobra Kai has successfully revived interest in the Karate Kid legacy, Legends falls flat, offering little engagement for both new viewers and longtime fans of the franchise. As this film hopes to introduce a new generation to karate, it instead leaves them with a lackluster experience.