Karate Kid: Legends

There was a time when it seemed that the Karate Kid franchise had already reached its lowest point, that no new installment could possibly surpass the total disappointment of Miss Karate Kid. But Karate Kid: Legends proves, with regrettable clarity, that it was still possible to sink even lower. Directed by Jonathan Entwistle and written by Rob Lieber, this sixth film installment is not only a chaotic attempt to reconcile the different aspects of a decades-old franchise, but also an excellent example of nostalgia being used as a weapon, with no regard for narrative coherence or emotional resonance. Rather than building a new legacy, the film presents itself as a Frankenstein-esque mishmash, borrowing elements from the 1984 classic, the 2010 reboot, and the Cobra Kai TV series, all in the service of a product that struggles to justify its existence beyond brand recognition.

The central character of this all-too-familiar journey is Ben Wang as Li Fong, a young kung fu prodigy who moves from Beijing to New York with his mother, played by Ming-Na Wen, after the tragic loss of his older brother. The film sets up what could have been a deeply personal, character-driven story about grief, uprooting, and rediscovering one's identity in a foreign country, but quickly sacrifices any emotional depth in favor of a series of easy twists and turns. Within minutes of landing in the US, Li finds himself embroiled in a story in a pizzeria involving Mia, played by Sadie Stanley, her father Victor, a charming former boxer played by Joshua Jackson, and a cruel and caricatured ex-boyfriend turned MMA champion named Connor, played by Aramis Knight. As if that weren't enough, the film adds a gang of gangsters, a karate tournament with a $50,000 prize, and, of course, the inevitable training sequences accompanied by modern pop hits instead of stirring compositions.

One of the film's few highlights is the unexpected but genuinely captivating dynamic between Li and Victor. Seeing Ben Wang train Joshua Jackson's character for his return to the ring offers a refreshing twist on the usual mentor-protégé formula, echoing the underrated charm of The Fighter. These moments breathe – just barely – before being suffocated by the true purpose of this sequel: to reunite the franchise's icons, Jackie Chan as Mr. Han and Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso. And while seeing these two titans share the screen is undoubtedly a treat for longtime fans, their overly late arrival in the film feels more like a contractual obligation than a narrative inspiration. Their dynamic lacks the gravity and philosophical depth of Mr. Miyagi's wisdom, and instead of growing through their shared teachings, Li becomes the avatar of a superficial and generic narrative, wrapped in martial arts platitudes such as “two branches, one tree.”

The film's structural inconsistency is perhaps its most glaring flaw. At only 94 minutes long, Karate Kid: Legends attempts to cram two complete stories—one about Victor's return and the other about Li's journey to the Five Boroughs tournament—without giving either the time to develop meaningfully. Characters are introduced and abandoned at a breakneck pace. Ming-Na Wen, who could have anchored the film's emotional weight, is reduced to a reactive presence, oscillating between concerned speeches and explanations about the past. The subplot of Li's trauma and survivor's guilt following his brother's death is reduced to flashbacks and rushed dialogue, never given a chance to breathe or deepen his character. It's emblematic of a film that prioritizes speed over substance, rushing through its twists and turns for fear that the audience will get bored if they're not constantly being flattered.

Visually, the film relies on flashy animation, rapid editing, and drone shots intended to mimic urban dynamism, but the result looks more like a music video than a martial arts epic. The fight sequences, choreographed with some finesse by Jackie Chan's stunt team, are marred by hyperactive editing and stylized effects that rob them of any real intensity. The final rooftop duel between Li and Connor, which should have been a cathartic moment, is instead predictable and emotionally empty. There is little sense of real danger, let alone triumph, as the film never manages to make its dramatic stakes believable. The idea that Li, after a few days of cross-training, can dominate a supposedly elite fighter who has been terrorizing the neighborhood for years defies credibility, and not in the inspiring way that the franchise once mastered.

Arguably, Ben Wang is the film's only asset. Charismatic and expressive, he imbues Li with a natural likability that the script often fails to sustain. Whether he's trading jokes with Sadie Stanley, befriending Joshua Jackson's character, or enduring the physical rigors of training, actor Ben Wang brings sincerity to a role that could easily have become a hollow action character. His fight scenes, though bogged down by clumsy editing, showcase his impressive athleticism, and his sense of humor is reminiscent of a young Jackie Chan, even if the script around him is shaky. But despite the seriousness of his performance, he can't carry the weight of a film that cares more about assembling intellectual property than telling a coherent story.

The greatest sin of Karate Kid: Legends is not its repetition—after all, this franchise has always thrived on familiar rhythms—but its emptiness. The original Karate Kid worked because it trusted its audience to invest emotionally, to linger on the silences between kicks, to care about Daniel and Mr. Miyagi beyond the dojo. Karate Kid: Legends doesn't have that patience. It jumps from one reference to another, from one cameo to another, relying on the goodwill of past successes without earning any of it. Even its “moving” scenes seem like nothing more than interludes between training sequences or fight scenes. When Ralph Macchio finally makes his appearance, nearly an hour into the film, he brings little more than exposition and a few kicks, his presence as superfluous as it is disappointing.

To those who thought Miss Karate Kid was the bottom of the barrel, Karate Kid: Legends humbly reminds us that the well of creative mediocrity can always run deeper. Despite Ben Wang's earnestness and the rare sparks of chemistry between the actors, the film collapses under the weight of its fan service and confusing narrative. What could have been a powerful story about grief, legacy, and resilience is ultimately an over-edited advertisement for its own franchise, a hollow kick aimed directly at your nostalgia.

Karate Kid: Legends
Directed by Jonathan Entwistle
Written by Rob Lieber
Based on The Karate Kid
by Robert Mark Kamen
Produced by Karen Rosenfelt
Starring Jackie Chan, Ben Wang, Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, Ming-Na Wen, Wyatt Oleff, Aramis Knight, Ralph Macchio
Cinematography: Justin Brown
Edited by Dana E. Glauberman
Music by Dominic Lewis
Production companies: Columbia Pictures, Sunswept Entertainment
Distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing
Release dates May 7, 2025 (Cinépolis Mitikah), May 30, 2025 (United States), August 13, 2025 (France)
Running time: 94 minutes

Seen on VOD on July 8, 2025

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