Review: KARATE KID: LEGENDS Is a Fresh and Fun Chapter in the Franchise
Karate Kid: Legends is a fun, energetic entry in the beloved franchise that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. but it does spin it in a new and entertaining direction. If you’ve been following this series for decades or even just jumped in with Cobra Kai, this movie feels like a natural extension of the universe.
It captures the heart, humor, and fighting spirit of the originals while mixing in some surprising twists that keep things feeling fresh.
The story itself is classic Karate Kid with a clever twist. Li Fong is a teenager from Beijing who moves to New York City with his mother (Ming-Na Wen). He’s a fish out of water, struggling to fit in and constantly trying to avoid trouble.
But, there comes a point when Li is forced to step up and fight. That leads him to a karate competition he never intended to join. Along the way, he’s trained by his grandfather Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) and, eventually, the original Karate Kid himself, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio).
The movie builds toward a tournament showdown, but the heart of it lies in Li's emotional journey, grappling with the grief and trauma of losing his brother while learning what it really means to fight. There’s also a nice bit of franchise lore layered in, connecting the Han and Miyagi lineages in a way that longtime fans will appreciate.
One interesting aspect of Legends that sets it apart is its flip on the classic dynamic. Instead of the wise old mentor training a troubled teen, we get Li (played with incredible charm and skill by Ben Wang) stepping up to train an adult, Victor, played by Joshua Jackson.
That reversal is one of the film’s best moves, strongest stretch of the story, and it works thematically and emotionally. It’s unexpected, amusing, and oddly heartfelt to watch a kid help a grown man rediscover his fight, literally and figuratively.
The first half of the film leans into that dynamic, leans into Li and Victor’s mentor-mentee bond, and it’s honestly the strongest stretch of the story. There’s something really engaging about watching Li come into his own, not just as a fighter, but as someone still processing the trauma of losing his brother.
That emotional thread grounds the film, giving the tournament training montages and action scenes some genuine weight. And yes, when it comes to the action, Ben Wang can seriously fight, the kid’s got skills, and the choreography puts that on full display.
The new characters are where this movie shines brightest. Wang’s Li is the beating heart of the film, Sadie Stanley’s Mia, Victor’s daughter and Li’s love interest, brings spark and sincerity, and Jackson’s Victor gives the movie some interesting heft.
The returning legacy characters, Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han and Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso, take a backseat for most of the film. LaRusso doesn’t even show up until the third act, and while his appearance isn’t as big as I expected, he does serve a purpose and gives longtime fans a nostalgic payoff.
It’s nice to see these two legends, Han and LaRusso, finally team up, blending Kung-Fu and Miyagi-Do into a hybrid martial arts style that feels like the natural evolution of the franchise.
Still, not everything works. The villain, Connor, is unfortunately a bit of a throwaway. He’s a one-dimensional, with no real depth or charisma, which is a shame considering how memorable past Karate Kid antagonists have been.
A more compelling opponent would’ve raised the stakes considerably. The film also skips over a few story beats that feel like they needed more breathing room. But despite those flaws, it sticks the landing where it counts.
At its core, Karate Kid: Legends is a story about legacy, mentorship, and healing through movement. It hits the emotional notes just enough to matter and packs enough awesome high-energy fight scenes to keep things rolling.
It's not a perfect film, but it absolutely knows what it is and delivers on that promise. It’s a crowd-pleaser, and I think it will hit with fans of the franchise.