Karate Kid: Legends Movie Review: Delivers just the right kick of nostalgia and action

Time of India

4 days ago

Story: The sixth instalment in the Karate Kid franchise follows Xiao Li, aka Li Fong (Ben Wang), who vows never to fight again after an opponent fatally stabs his kung fu champ brother. Relocating from Beijing to New York with his mother, Li finds himself drawn back into the ring—first to train a washed-up boxing champion, then to enter a martial arts championship to confront his past and stand by his new friends. Will he keep his promise, or fight once more?
Review: The new addition to the popular franchise, following 2010's Karate Kid, retrofits the original storyline with two fresh elements. First, it blends kung fu with boxing as Li trains a much older Victor Lipani (Joshua Jackson), a pizzeria owner and former boxing champ. Then, it builds towards a fighting style that merges kung fu and karate. This setup paves the way for engaging training sequences — made even more exciting by the return of shifu Han (Jackie Chan) from Li's Beijing dojo and Sensei Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) of the Japanese Miyagi school, once led by the late Nariyoshi Keisuke Miyagi (Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita).
At 95 minutes, the narrative moves at a brisk pace, which can sometimes feel a bit too frantic as it juggles multiple threads—Li's budding romance with Mia (Sadie Stanley), training her father, Victor, and preparing for the final showdown with her ex, Conor (Aramis Knight), the undefeated Five Boroughs Tournament champion. Kung fu and karate are known for their focus on discipline, but the new movie prioritises technique, which makes the balance feel slightly off. However, the steady stream of well-executed action sequences more than makes up for these narrative detours.
What stands out right away is the film's old-school charm. While most reboots lean on updating the story to reflect contemporary society, Karate Kid: Legends opts for a stripped-down, classic approach that echoes the spirit of the 1984 original, The Karate Kid. That said, the plot often feels simplistic and leans on tropes — like Li freezing while his brother is attacked, and later, when Victor is defeated by an illegal move during the fight.
Ben Wang delivers a standout performance, impressing with his nimble-footed action. Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio (the original Karate Kid) share an easy, engaging chemistry as the 'two branches of one tree,' and their playful bickering and one-upmanship while training Li is a delight to watch. Aramis Knight has limited screen time, but makes a strong impact as a formidable and menacing opponent. Keep an eye out for the 'dragon kick'—a signature move that recurs throughout the film and is executed with remarkable finesse.
Karate Kid: Legends is a fun and exciting watch, packed with well-choreographed martial arts sequences, a tight narrative, and strong performances—especially for fans of the franchise. It delivers just the right kick of nostalgia and action.