by Tim Gordon
Karate Kid: Legends marks a nostalgic yet uneven return to the dojo, merging the worlds of the 2010 reboot and the beloved Cobra Kai series with the original ‘80s classic. Directed with a heavy dose of fan service, this sixth installment brings together Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han and Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso for the first time on screen — a crossover that sounds thrilling in theory but doesn’t always find its footing in practice.
The story centers on Li Fong (Ben Wang), a kung fu prodigy forced to leave Beijing and his beloved wuguan behind when his mother (the always steady Ming-Na Wen) moves them to New York City. Haunted by his older brother’s tragic death following a karate tournament, Li struggles to fit in at his new school — a fish-out-of-water tale that hits all the familiar beats. He befriends Mia (Sadie Stanley) and her father, owners of a neighborhood pizza parlor, but his past catches up when he clashes with Conor (Aramis Knight), a local karate hotshot with an ego the size of a championship trophy.
After Li’s initial defeat, Mr. Han arrives stateside to guide him once more — but even Han realizes kung fu alone won’t cut it. Enter Daniel LaRusso, stepping in to blend Miyagi-Do philosophy with Han’s discipline for a final act that culminates in, yes, another high-stakes tournament showdown.
The film’s greatest draw — seeing Chan and Macchio share scenes — is a treat for longtime fans. Their chemistry feels warm and respectful, even if the script doesn’t always give them much to do beyond waxing nostalgic. Director Jonathan Entwistle packs the film with nods to the franchise’s past, from training montages to echoing lines that might make some grin and others groan.
Newcomer Ben Wang has the physicality to convince as a martial arts prodigy, but he struggles to bring the same spark or vulnerability that made Macchio’s Daniel or Jaden Smith’s Dre so compelling. The film’s emotional beats, especially Li’s grief and his mother’s protectiveness, are sketched too broadly to land. And while Aramis Knight makes for a serviceable heel, Conor is no Johnny Lawrence.
Ultimately, Karate Kid: Legends is a safe, by-the-numbers revival that leans heavily on legacy while hesitating to carve out its own identity. It’s unlikely to tarnish the franchise’s reputation, but it doesn’t exactly crane-kick it forward either. There’s heart, there’s nostalgia, but there’s not enough new energy to justify another round, at least not yet.
Grade: C+
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