Director: Jonathan Entwistle
Writers: Rob Lieber, Robert Mark Kamen
Stars: Jackie Chan, Ben Wang, Joshua Jackson
Synopsis: A kung fu prodigy, Li Fong, relocates to New York City and faces challenges from a local karate champion as he strives to compete in an ultimate karate tournament, aided by Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso.
Karate Kid: Legends – A Franchise That’s Overstayed Its Welcome
Karate Kid: Legends serves as a reminder that sometimes nostalgia isn’t enough to save a franchise from fading into obscurity. As I engaged with this latest chapter, I couldn’t help but feel like I was waiting for Rob Garrison’s Tommy to pop up during the credits, laughing maniacally and declaring it was finally time to put this franchise in a body bag.
More Nostalgia, Less Substance
The film is a cinematic buffet of nostalgia, **heavy on exposition yet light on creativity**, primarily dedicating itself to imitating the original storyline. It’s as if the filmmakers believed that the mere inclusion of legacy characters would eclipse the film’s glaring shortcomings. Instead, what we get is a shallow, **CliffNotes version** of a sixth installment—a flimsy excuse to coax audiences into theaters with the promise of familiar faces.
A Journey Begins – But Where to?
Our story follows **Li Fong** (*Ben Wang*), a young prodigy receiving mentorship from the elusive **Mr. Han** (*Jackie Chan*). The film attempts to draw on the well-trodden paths of franchise lore, but things become convoluted. **A forgotten shack on a muddy lake** now upgraded to a cash cow, and Mr. Han is depicted training countless students in a wuguan—what a twist!
Li’s mother, played by Ming-Na Wen, adds a layer of conflict as she forbids him from participating in martial arts. Her reluctance stems from a **shared trauma**, a haunting past connection to violence that the film only superficially explores. After relocating to New York City, Li encounters **Mia** (*Sadie Stanley*), a love interest whose history adds unnecessary friction, ultimately leading to a predictable showdown with her ex-boyfriend, **Conor** (*Aramis Knight*).
The Script Struggles
Written by Rob Lieber, known for his work on *The Goldbergs*, the script suffers from **forced narrative leaps** and predictable clichés. The forced interconnections—Li’s training with Victor (*Joshua Jackson*), a pizza shop owner—feel contrived, robbing the story of its potential impact.
The Mortal Kombat of Martial Arts?
While the intent behind the film is commendable, the execution fails to inspire. The plot presents a **bizarre Five Boroughs tournament** that feels more at home in a cheap video game than a classic martial arts saga. With underage kids pummeling each other atop a skyscraper for **a $50,000 prize**, the stakes seem alarmingly low on moral grounds. At one point, Li takes a brutal hit but is sent back into the ring without any medical evaluation—does this logic even align with the film’s trauma themes?
The entire storyline drags under the weight of **clunky exposition**, forgettable humor, and unnecessarily drawn-out action sequences. Do we really need slow-motion replays and graphics cluttering every match point?
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, Karate Kid: Legends feels like a **tired rehash** of every predictable trope associated with coming-of-age martial arts films. While the foundation contains great potential, the execution is marred by awkward storytelling and clichéd character development. At this rate, *somebody get a body bag ready* because this franchise is in desperate need of a proper farewell.
Release Information
You can watch Karate Kid: Legends (2025) only in theaters starting May 30th!
Grade: D+
