I Watched Karate Kid: Legends, And One Deep-Cut Character Detail Is Still Bothering Me
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
Minor spoilers for Karate Kid: Legends lie ahead, so read on accordingly.
The Karate Kid film series officially expands with a sixth installment that's subtitled Legends. Yet the Jonathan Entwistle-helmed 2025 movie release also melds the Miyagi-verse continuity with that of the 2010 film. As a result, Ralph Macchio's Daniel LaRusso returns as does Jackie Chan's Mr. Han to mentor a new karate student, Li Fong (Ben Wang). I had the opportunity to see the legacy sequel myself and, as a fan of the franchise, I'm not too high on it. However, there's one specific detail that's really bugging me.
When fans last saw handyman Mr. Han at the end of 2010's The Karate Kid (which still receives love), he was celebrating with young Parker (Jaden Smith), as the latter emerged victorious at a kung fu tournament. The opening of Legends makes it clear that a lot has changed for Han since his last appearance. From the jump, it's established that Han is now a revered shifu who oversees multiple schools in Beijing. The character's status doesn't bug me on its own, but it's the lack of clarity regarding how he got there that's annoying.
I found myself scratching my head over the fact that Legends doesn't make any kind of attempt to fill in the blanks when it comes to how Han became a legendary master throughout all of China. As mentioned, he was a handyman who was hesitant to take on just one student. Now, not only is he eager to take on new protégés – like his great nephew, Li Fong – but he's also overseeing a wide swath of kung fu trainees. There's not even any slight reference to his past as a maintenance man (and not any mention of Dre either).
More on The Karate Kid
I Rewatched The Karate Kid Part II, And I Wish One Thing Had Been Handled Differently
Considering how far Han has come personally and professionally, I really would've appreciated, at the very least, a little bit of exposition to explain how his life shifted shortly after the events of the 2010 flick. I mean, did he and Dre participate in other tournaments, earning Han enough notoriety as a teacher to start a school? Or did he leverage his family's history with martial arts in some way? We, the viewers, are only left to assume and try to draw our own conclusions.
My gripe may sound nitpicky but, when you've established a continuity, character backstory and other details should be taken into account. Then again, this is a film that has no problem bending what's come before, given how it ropes Han into the Miyagi-verse's mythology.
Now that Jackie Chan's jovial character is back in the fold, it's hard not to wonder whether he might return. Considering his current status, there are certainly opportunities for him to pop up again. I wouldn't be surprised if Chan expressed openness to playing the character again at some point, too. After all, the iconic actor doesn't seem to have any plans to retire and, as he explained to CinemaBlend, he's still set on doing his own stunts even in his 70s.
I would imagine, however, that such a reprisal would depend on Legends' performance at the box office. During its opening weekend, the film amassed a global cume of $47 million against a production budget of $45 million. That's respectable and, should it trend in the right direction, it could finish its theatrical run with a solid haul.
Sony seems to be all in on this storied martial arts franchise, as potential spinoffs for the hit offshoot TV series, Cobra Kai (which is streamable with a Netflix subscription) are reportedly being considered. We can only speculate as to whether that good fortune from the small-screen side of the franchise will extend to the cinema. For now, fans can see Karate Kid: Legends in theaters and, if they feel like I do, they can hope that any potential sequel might provide clarity on Mr. Han's personal journey.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
South Korea's last circus marks 100 years, but will it survive?
The century-old Dongchoon Circus Troupe is the last of its kind in South Korea. As audiences and performers drift away to cinema, television and social media those left in the big top fear for the future. (AP Video by Yong-ho Kim and Yong Jun Chang)
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
This shop in Taman OUG serves the unlikely pairing of ‘tonkotsu shoyu ramen' and pour over coffee — and somehow it works!
KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 – Before my bowl of Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen reached our table, it announced its imminent arrival with its aroma first. That of pork bones simmered for long hours into opacity, tempered by fine soy sauce. A broth that is deep in flavour but not too rich. Noodles that held their bounce. A slice of lightly torched chashu, tender enough that it nearly falls apart as I lift it with my chopsticks. A seasoned egg, sliced in half, revealing its custard centre. This is the sort of bowl I would expect from any decent ramen shop in Japan. But definitely not a café in KL that serves specialty coffee and freshly baked pastries. We hadn't planned on finding this place. Our usual breakfast spot in the Taman OUG neighbourhood was too crowded so we decided to walk around looking for an alternative. The first thing we saw was the yatai – a mobile Japanese food stall seen along the streets and at festivals in Japan – outside an otherwise nondescript shop. This somewhat incongruous element promised bowls of ramen within. The 'yatai' – a mobile Japanese food stall – outside the shop promises bowls of ramen within. — Picture by CK Lim But what we didn't expect was the low hum of a grinder and the soft hiss of milk steaming when we entered. Did we just do an Alice Through the Looking-Glass – walked into a ramen shop and stumbled upon a coffee bar instead? Perhaps a bit of both. The shop in question is called Absorb Sunlight x Ramen Monster, a collaboration that, at first glance, shouldn't quite work, but somehow does. Certainly the space with its low lighting, bare walls and shelves stacked with handmade ceramic cups leaned more towards artisanal café aesthetics: understated décor and a tranquil ambience. Barista grinding beans and brewing pour over coffee. — Picture by CK Lim Pour over coffee (left). 'Ri Shai Ju Hua' (right). — Picture by CK Lim As with any decent specialty coffee bar, our barista welcomes us and introduces the entire coffee menu to us. One of us opts for a pour over coffee while the other orders one of their signature drinks. There is a certain meditative quality watching the barista grind the coffee beans (a curated selection from different coffee roasters, including One Half Roastery and NashLee Roastery), wetting the filter paper and pouring the hot water over the grounds with a gooseneck kettle. My pour over coffee arrived in a handmade cup from Seremban-based Qihewood Pottery. It sat warm in my hands, textured and heavy. And somehow, that knowledge of the craft behind this beautiful vessel made the brew taste better. The signature drink we ordered is named like a line from Chinese poetry: Ri Shai Ju Hua (日曬橘花), which translates to 'Sun Dried Orange Flowers'. The flavour notes come in layers. First, a bright acidity from the lemon juice that is quickly mellowed by the citrusy tang of the sun dried orange. Then the subtle osmanthus, floral and faintly apricot-like, dancing with the fizzy soda. All anchored by the caffeine hit of a freshly pulled espresso shot. Refreshing and, dare I say, lyrical? We pair our coffees with flaky pastries, freshly baked daily by Contour in PJ. The verdant pistachio croissant, nutty topping and creamy interior, and the simple but always satisfying pain au chocolat. Pistachio croissant (left) and 'pain au chocolat' (right). — Picture by CK Lim That would have been plenty for breakfast for most people. But if you have space for more, and make this brunch or an early lunch, then don't miss the ramen by Ramen Monster, the other half of this shop's synergistic equation. A good basic bowl to begin with would be the aforementioned Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen but if you're feeling more indulgent, try their Truffle Shoyu Ramen. The same deeply flavourful broth is now enriched by a generous dollop of heady truffle paste atop the chashu. To gild the lily further, a slice of sous-vide duck breast, tender and just pink at the centre. Every sip tastes like manna, every mouthful luxurious. Ramen and coffee. Who knew? Truffle Shoyu Ramen. — Picture by CK Lim Which brings us back to our first thoughts on this place: that this is an unlikely pairing that shouldn't quite work, but somehow does. The delicate notes of a pour over coffee don't have to compete with the soul-lifting warmth of a ramen broth. They can instead be two distinct voices taking turns. For this is very much a conversation, a sort of culinary dialogue that we, as diners, are very much eager to return to. Absorb Sunlight x Ramen Monster 怪物拉面 51, Jln Hujan, Taman Overseas Union, KL Open Mon-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri-Sun 10am-10pm • This is an independent review where the writer paid for the meal. • Follow us on Instagram @eatdrinkmm for more food gems.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
I Thought Karate Kid: Legends Was Going To Be A Cash-Grab, But As A Fan, I Was Pleasantly Surprised
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Alright…we have to talk about Karate Kid: Legends. If you know me, you'll see that I'm a big fan of the series. While I wouldn't say I've been a fan since the beginning – since I wasn't even around in the beginning – the Karate Kid movies have become a massive part of my life. I started young and my enjoyment has only grown into a genuine love and appreciation for the entire franchise – I even have two bonsai trees that my boyfriend and I take care of, called LaRusso and Miyagi, because we love the series so much. So, of course, when I found out there was going to be yet another movie in the franchise I was a little hesitant, but excited nonetheless. It's always a risk to bring another movie into a long-beloved franchise and potentially mess up its film legacy. And, honestly, The Karate Kid didn't have the best traction with many of its later films. But I wanted to give the new movie a shot, and I'm pleasantly surprised as a longtime fan. Let's get into why, and why you should watch it. I'll be honest and say I wasn't expecting this to be a great movie going into the theater for my screener. A part of me thought it was going to be terrible, and that's the truth behind it. Often, when franchises continue to expand and attempt to add another sequel or bring characters from separate franchise movies into one film (as seen with LaRusso and Mr. Han), it doesn't end well. You end up with either a horrible story that the writer hoped would be original or a hodge-podge of characters that don't make sense together. That's sort of what I felt going into this. There are so many potentially great movies coming out as part of the 2025 movie schedule, and this one was up there, but I didn't think it was going to become the next big hit of this year. However, what I expected and what I was given are two completely different things. Is it the best Karate Kid movie? No, but there's a lot to love about it. If you're a fan of the best action movies, you're going to enjoy the fight choreography. There is something so visceral and raw about watching people kick-ass and take names in a full-fledged karate fight. Maybe it's just me – because I'm clumsy as heck and could barely kick a soccer ball, let alone a living, breathing, moving person – but that is just so impressive. Besides that, of course, there are plenty of other reasons to enjoy the film, too. I grew up around New York City, so having a Karate Kid movie set in the city I love is something I will always support. There's also the fact that Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio are fun as heck in the same scenes together. We're all very aware of who these two actors are. Macchio is a legend for his films in the '80s/'90s and, of course, keeping this franchise alive and kicking. Chan is, well, Jackie Chan. We've seen him for decades. We've watched him fight. We know how kick-butt he is, and he also has great comedic timing. Put these two in the same scenes together, and I found myself belly-laughing plenty of times. There's just something that happens between them that allows them to play off each other so well. And, not only that, but watching them fight is like watching a dance. They have two completely different fighting styles – karate versus kung fu – and yet somehow, they move together like yin and yang, two opposites that flow yet also harmonize in a way that leads to Li becoming a better fighter. I feel like whenever someone sees a new film in a franchise they love, they always have such high expectations – like 'you better not mess this up.' It has happened with many Star Wars movies. It's happened with the Jurassic Park films. Now, it's happened with the Karate Kid movies. But I don't think Legends ever aimed to be as good as the original. Sure, with a title like that, it's obviously trying to lure people in with the idea that it's the 'legends' of the franchise (Macchio and Chan) coming together to teach a kid and that, in itself, is a cool concept. However, what this movie does well is that it distinguishes itself sufficiently from the original to stand on its own as a film rather than trying to outshine it. That's where most films that fall into sequel-itis tend to go – they try to outdo the original, which is near impossible, and then fall so far behind that the franchise suffers. These films have attempted to do that before, and most have not been successful. This one knew exactly what it was – a fun movie meant for the family with great chemistry from its leads and intense fight scenes. It didn't need to be philosophical because the first film already exists. It just needed to be its own thing. I think the biggest thing I like about Legends is that it's not really a film for long-time fans. Sure, it's a part of the Karate Kid franchise, but this is the karate kid for this generation. This is what introduces kids to the world of Mr. Miyagi. I know, I know, people will say, 'Well, why not just show them the original, then? What's the point of these new movies if we have the original?' And I'll give you the exact reason why – because sometimes kids just don't get it. I say that from experience. As a kid, I didn't fall in love with this franchise because I watched the original movies. I fell in love with it because my dad took me to see the new (at the time) film with Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith, and I loved the fight scenes in it. Then, from there, I finally checked out the originals. As a kid, you don't want to watch 'old' stuff. You want to see all the new, funky, and fresh things that everyone is talking about. But, if the new stuff is relatively good, it can get you hooked on the older films as well, and that's what happened here. I'm a massive fan of the series now. Do I think the 2010 movie is still good? Heck no – but because it came out when I was a kid, it introduced my generation to the series and created a whole slew of new fans who went back and watched the previous movies. That's what this movie is for – it's for Gen Alpha and to carry on the legacy of Mr. Miyagi. To introduce this world to the next heap of fans, who will then want to see what came before, so the cycle continues, on and on. This is a great movie to introduce you to the series. Is it as deep? No, of course not. But it has all the right moments and flair you would expect from a Karate Kid movie. If you like the fight scenes in Cobra Kai, or the drama of getting injured from a fight, or action films in general, this movie is for you. If you have a kid who's watching this series for the first time and they ask about the earlier movies, then Karate Kid: Legends has done its job correctly. That's all that matters. It might be time for another Karate Kid marathon. Who's with me? I need to learn that special kick — and somehow not break my legs.
