It’s hard to believe the original KARATE KID hit theaters in 1984… yes, 40 years ago. Since there we’ve seen multiple sequels, and a popular revival in the form of the COBRA KAI series. This new film KARATE KID: LEGENDS helps tie together the world of Daniel Russo and the 2010 KARATE KID remake that featured Jackie Chan in the Mr. Miyagi-esque role of Mr. Han. Here, Daniel (Ralph Macchio) is back, and Chan’s Mr. Han has a new young man he’s training, played by newcomer Ben Wang. Joshua Jackson and Ming-Na Wen also star in this latest take on the popular franchise, directed by Jonathan Entwistle, written by Rob Lieber, and produced by Karen Rosenfelt.
Li Fong (Ben Wang) is a young man living in China and learning Kung Fu from Mr. Han (Chan), though his mother (played by Ming-Na Wen) doesn’t like him being involved with fighting, as Li’s brother sadly died due to a fight gone wrong. She tells Li they have to move to New York because of her job, so he must do his best to make a new life in the United States. At first he meets Mia Lipani (Sadie Stanley) and her father Victor, a former boxer who now owns a pizza place. Victor is in debt to some nefarious types, and has an opportunity to return to the ring and potentially win enough money to settle his debts. He asks Li to help him learn Kung Fu as a way to enhance his boxing ability. This story represents the first half of the film, but it’s not the core narrative here, though it is an intriguing part of the overall story that sadly doesn’t play out too long. The other main focus involves Li becoming a target for Mia’s former boyfriend, who also happens to be a formidable martial arts student from a local dojo. This all builds to Li needing to fine tune his own fighting skills so he can take on Mia’s ex in a big tournament in which there’s a major cash prize. At first, Mr. Han comes over to the states to work with Li, but he eventually recruits Mr. Miyagi’s old protege Daniel LaRusso (Macchio) to join him and train Li in both Karate and Kung Fu to give him the edge he needs.
The movie is in many ways exactly what you’d expect it to be, there are no major surprises here, but the end result is done quite well and is very entertaining. Ben Wang is a great discovery for the lead here, and holds his own with the other more seasoned actors. His chemistry with Sadie Stanley is really endearing and fun to watch, as is his story with Joshua Jackson’s character. And yes, Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio are welcome faces to this chapter, and it’s quite a treat watching them train this new protege together. There was an opportunity to have them perhaps conflict their teaching styles or even butt heads while trying to teach Li the best way to fight, but the film opts to keep it all cordial, pleasant and safe, and it works for the most part. The villain of the story is played by Aramis Knight as Mia’s ex Conor, who is appropriately nasty and effectively sinister as Li’s opposition. The only character that feels a bit underwritten is Ming-Na Wen as Li’s mother, who very much disapproves of Li fighting at all, but it feels like there could have been more to her here, and she’s such a solid actress that it seems like a shame not to use her in a more effective way.
The second half of the film plays out very much the way you’d think it would, and it’s definitely crowd-pleasing as the cheers in the screening proved. I wish the first half was explored more with Li helping train Victor, and the struggles Victor is facing as a former fighter himself – that part of the film is definitely the stronger and more interesting aspect here, but it wraps up just as it gets going, and ends up making the movie feel like two stories in one movie. Other than that one disjointed part of the production, this is a really fun experience and solid entry in the fan-favorite series, and I very much enjoyed how it was handled for the most part. It’s a tad rushed in its pacing, particularly the second half, but it’s also a movie that knows what the audience wants from it, and delivers on expectations in very smart ways. There’s a scene right before the end credits that will have hardcore fans grinning from ear to ear. With the resurgence in popularity of this franchise thanks to the wildly popular COBRA KAI series, now is a smart time to release a film like this, and it very much recaptures the spirit of the original while also playing off the sensibilities of what COBRA KAI has also done. KARATE KID: LEGENDS isn’t perfect by any means, but it strikes the right cords of nostalgia and fun, and as a fan of the original I found myself feeling very satisfied with the end result.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
