The MontyVerse

Karate Kid Legends Review

Karate Kid: Legends is the sixth film in the legendary Karate Kid franchise and a movie that looks to give this IP a theatrical rebirth after the massive hit that was Netflix’s Cobra Kai. Cobra Kai successfully reignited interest in the Karate Kid brand and introduced a new generation of fans to Daniel LaRusso. It brought this franchise back from limbo and really said all you could say when it comes to a standard Karate Kid story. But as a result, this is the main reason I was really worried when Karate Kid: Legends was announced, as it seemed like Sony was trying to capitalize on the success of the show. This would be fine, except for the fact that the finale ended a few months ago and I was afraid this movie would have nothing new to offer.

I am happy to report that I was wrong and Karate Kid: Legends is a story worthy of a theatrical release, carving its own path in the Karate Kid mythos. The thing I loved most about Karate Kid: Legends is just how different it is from other Karate Kid movies. After decades of following the same formula and introducing us to multiple Karate Kid kids in the process, Legends refreshingly plays with the structure while respecting the spirit of these movies. It is a welcome change. We have seen the Karate Kid formula so many times now between Daniel, Julie, Dre, hell we got like two different Karate Kids in Cobra Kai in Miguel and Robby which evolved into twelve more by the end of the show. Li Fong is a breath of fresh air that reinvents what it means to be the Karate Kid.

On paper the story seems pretty standard: After moving to New York City with his mother, kung fu prodigy Li Fong struggles to let go of the past as he tries to fit in with his new classmates. When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition, but his skills alone aren’t enough. With help from Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso, he soon learns to merge two styles into one for the ultimate martial arts showdown.

The story of Karate Kid: Legends focuses heavily on the character of Li Fong and puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the shoulders of actor Ben Wang. Wang was cast after a massive global search that saw thousands and thousands of potential hopefuls vie to be the next Karate Kid. This casting is nothing short of miraculous as Ben Wang has the impossible task of following up one of the most likeable Karate Kids in the franchise in Miguel Diaz, while also living up to cinematic legacy of THE Karate Kid. Luckily, he is up to the challenge.

Make no mistake, Ben Wang is a star on the rise. The entire weight of this film is thrust upon him, and he effortlessly carries this movie from beginning to end. Li Fong is different than other protagonists in the franchise; we start the film with him as a pretty skilled martial artist, having studied Kung Fu at the Han School in China before leaving for New York. This change in structure is the first of many and as the film unfolded, I found myself really appreciating the story.

The Karate Kid formula usually has the mentor figure with a tragic past that is revealed to the audience in an emotional second act ending catharsis between teacher and student. Legends doesn’t have this luxury as both mentor figures are fully established characters in-universe with their past traumas already revealed. In turn, what we get is a Karate Kid with past trauma that is revealed early on, which forces him to spend the film learning to move past it. Ben Wang handles the emotional weight of this marvelously while being charming and sincere. It would be hard not to fall in love with the character of Li Fong, the first Asian lead in the decades long Karate kid franchise.

Jonathan Entwhistle takes a lot of risks in directing this movie, which I think ultimately pay off. There is a unique visual style to Legends that helps separate it from any other project in this franchise. The main setting of the film is New York, and while it is a romanticized film version of New York, I think the setting is paired very well with the stylized look. There is a modern fighting game graphic styling that is splattered across the runtime and it really creates a fun look especially during the tournament. I mean, this is a Karate Kid movie of course there is going to be a tournament.

What’s fun here is that the ending tournament is more of means to and end as it is there just to enhance the story of our protagonist and give us an emotional catharsis. I am 100% OK with that because the greatest strength of the movie is it Characters.

Every character in this film feels layered, with supporting players like Joshua Jackson’s Victor Lipani being an endearing scene-stealer. I think Sadie Stanley’s Mia is also really great and her chemistry with Ben Wang is strong. Ming Na Wen likewise does a fantastic job as Li’s mother. The Karate Kid movies have no shortage of strong badass mothers, but Ming gets to be involved throughout the entire story and has more agency, acting as an emotional anchor for our protagonist.

While the film is very character-focused, that doesn’t mean the fight sequences are overlooked as Entwhistle really pushes his star and gives us some really visually engaging action sequences. A lot of this boils down to the athleticism of Ben Wang, who is able to give us so much physicality in his performance.

I would say the weakest points of Karate Kid: Legends are probably Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han and Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso. They are both good and serve the exact purpose they were brought in to serve. However, the film is marketed into making you think they have way more focus than they do. Chan’s Mr. Han has importance to the plot, but his inclusion offers nothing to the overall story. Jacke Chan’s performance is also so jarring in relation to The Karate Kid from 2010. I understand that this movie takes place more than a decade later, but where we meet Mr. Han here, it is so monumentally different from where we left him with zero explanation. Chan strips the character of all the dark, dramatic nuance and essentially plays him as every other Jackie Chan character now, which was upsetting as I loved the emotional depth of Mr. Han.

Ralph Macchio is just an absolute legend and while his role is small and he offers nothing to the overall story other than guidance, the weight of his character is felt perfectly. He carries Daniel with the emotional maturity we would expect the character to have and every scene he is in feels important because he is there. He gracefully passes the torch to Ben Wang and is a wonderful bridge to the past as we walk towards the future.

To me, Karate Kids: Legends was a huge risk and one that ultimately pays off for Sony Pictures. Jonathan Entwhistle’s film feels hand-crafted for new audiences with just enough reverence for the what came before to please older fans. This film hinges on its star, and Ben Wang was up to the challenge, as Li Fong may be our best Karate Kid yet. I am excited to see where we can go from here.

4/5