Karate Kid: Legends Review
- Matthew Rondina
- May 29
- 5 min read
Karate Kid Legends blends nostalgia and fresh energy as new faces enter the ring in this action-packed reboot, my full review.
As a lifelong devotee of The Karate Kid saga—from the 1984 original to the 2010 reboot and the arc of Cobra Kai—I approached Karate Kid: Legends with cautious optimism. The franchise has always been more than just martial arts; it's about mentorship, resilience, and personal growth. This latest installment attempts to bridge generations, uniting Jackie Chan's Mr. Han from the 2010 film with Ralph Macchio's Daniel LaRusso, aiming to pass the torch to a new protagonist. While the film offers moments of genuine connection and fun action sequences, many moments feel forced. Overall, the film struggles to find its footing and own identity amidst the weight of its legacy. Let’s dive into The Karate Kid: Legends and take a look at what it gets right, where it stumbles, and how it fits into the legacy of one of cinema’s most beloved underdog stories.
Karate Kid: Legends Details
Release Date: May 30, 2025
Director: Jonathan Entwistle
Cast: Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, Ben Wang, Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, Ming-Na Wen
Run Time: 94 minutes
Genre: Action, Drama
Content Rating: PG-13
Plot: A Familiar Journey with New Footsteps
Karate Kid: Legends introduces us to Li Fong (Ben Wang), a kung fu prodigy uprooted from Beijing to New York City following a family tragedy. Struggling to adapt, Li finds solace in a new friendship and, inevitably, confronts local bullies. Guided by his mentor Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) and the legendary Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), Li prepares for a high-stakes karate tournament, blending kung fu and karate techniques in his training. While the narrative aims to merge the old with the new, it often treads on familiar ground. The story is what you’d expect from an action-karate film; unfortunately, it doesn’t set up the central conflict with the impact or clarity it needs. I also found some of the key “bad guys” weren’t established well, lacking the intimidation, presence, or emotional weight that made past antagonists in the franchise so memorable. I was rooting for Li Fong by the end of the film, but the run-up to the final showdown didn’t feel earned through the major plot points. This results in a movie that moves through the motions without always earning its dramatic beats, making it fall flat at key moments. Luckily, especially for fans of the franchise, it has a lot to lean on with the “nostalgia factor,” offering few surprises for the longtime faithful.
Direction and Writing: Nostalgia Over Innovation
Director Jonathan Entwistle and writer Rob Lieber have crafted a film steeped in nostalgia, unfortunately, this comes at a cost to evolving the franchise. The storyline mirrors the original's structure, from the bullied newcomer to the climactic tournament, without offering fresh perspectives or twists. Some of the film’s strongest moments come when it dares to do something different, such as when Li Fong steps into the role of a mentor himself, offering a fresh reversal of roles and an emotional turning point that hints at the kind of growth the series could explore.
But these glimpses of originality are quickly overshadowed by a relentless rush of callbacks, cameos, and recycled story beats. The pacing feels rushed, with key emotional arcs underdeveloped or brushed past. Character development often takes a backseat to fan service, and it felt like too many characters were being introduced all at once—too many chefs in the kitchen, so to speak. As a result, several supporting roles feel undercooked and unnecessary, including ones more for audience recognition than narrative purpose. It becomes difficult to connect with anyone outside the central trio, and even their relationships sometimes feel surface-level due to how much ground the script tries to cover. Instead of letting these legacy characters breathe and evolve naturally, the film often relies on their past glories without presenting them with compelling new challenges. There’s clearly potential here—flashes of it shine through—but the film is too busy trying to honour every corner of the franchise to focus on telling one great, cohesive story. While the film attempts to pay homage to its roots, it misses opportunities to meaningfully evolve the narrative.
Acting Performances: New Blood Meets Old Masters
Ben Wang shines as Li Fong, bringing a blend of vulnerability and determination that anchors the film. I liked Wang’s portrayal of Fong from the moment he was on screen—he offered a humble, grounded presence that felt authentic and instantly relatable. There’s a quiet strength in his performance, capturing both the uncertainty of a teenager navigating unfamiliar terrain and the inner resilience needed to rise above adversity. Wang balances the physicality of the role with genuine emotional depth, making his transformation from outsider to fighter feel earned rather than rushed. He also pokes fun at certain situations and lines in the movie, acting as a great conduit for the audience.
Jackie Chan, at 71, delivers a heartfelt and grounded performance as Mr. Han, showcasing the warmth and understated charisma that have defined his career. It was genuinely moving to see Chan step into the mentor role—it marks a full-circle moment for fans like me who grew up watching him as the energetic, acrobatic martial arts star in films like Drunken Master and Rush Hour. Watching him now, he embodied a sage-like presence reminiscent of Mr. Miyagi, which was both inspiring and quietly emotional. It struck me with the sobering realization that the action hero of my youth has matured into a symbol of guidance and legacy for a new generation, just as Pat Morita was with his portrayal of Miyagi.
Ralph Macchio's return as Daniel LaRusso adds depth, portraying a mentor who has come full circle. However, supporting characters, including Joshua Jackson's Victor Lipani and Sadie Stanley's Mia, lacked sufficient development, serving more as plot devices than fully realized individuals. This was a shame, as I really liked the Lipani characters and was hoping for them to have more screen time.
Final Thoughts on Karate Kid: Legends
Karate Kid: Legends strives to honour its heritage while introducing a new chapter. While it succeeds in moments, particularly through its lead performances, it often feels like a retread of familiar territory. The film's reliance on nostalgia overshadows its potential for innovation, resulting in an experience that, while entertaining, lacks the emotional resonance of its predecessors.
Karate Kid: Legends Verdict
Karate Kid: Legends offers a nostalgic journey that may satisfy die-hard fans but falls short of delivering a compelling standalone story. 6.5/10
Special thanks to Sony Pictures Canada for the advanced screening of Karate Kid: Legends for the purpose of this review.
About the Author - Matthew "Dapper Tux" Rondina
Matthew has been involved in all things gaming since the 8-bit era. He is a video game and tech industry veteran who has been passionate about technology and gaming for over 20 years. In addition to being the Managing Editor of dappertux.com, he has bylines with Best Buy, Cineplex Entertainment, Mobile Syrup and Walmart. Follow Matthew’s gaming + tech adventures on multiple social platforms with the handle @dapper_tux via X, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and join in on the fun!
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