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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Karate Kid Legends movie review: Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio's charm and bromance can't save this mid, predictable muck
As the opening credits for Karate Kid: Legends begin, you can already see the climax. It is the story of a kid who is bullied and must fight boys stronger than him. In the process, he meets a wise master (or two) and learns martial arts, and eventually comes of age. That is what every Karate Kid film has been about for the last 40 years. But it has largely worked. What makes Legends so irksome is that not only do you know what is going to happen, you can accurately predict exactly how it is going to go down, right down to the dialogue most characters will mouth. It is just so predictable, formulaic, and clichéd. Meant as a movie to evoke nostalgia with its throwbacks to the original film, Karate Kid: Legends only ends up showing how much it lacks in soul and sheer storytelling finesse. Before the story begins, a little retconning of the franchise (from Pat Morita no less) tells us how the Miyagi karate is linked to the Han school of kung fu in China. Shifu Han (Jackie Chan) still teaches in Beijing even as his star pupil Li Fong (Ben Wong) is being forced by his mother to move to New York. In the Big Apple, Fong struggles but adjusts and even finds love in Mia (a very Jennifer Lawrence-coded Sadie Stanley). But as he faces up to Mia's bully ex Conor (Aramis Knight basically smouldering and frowning in every frame), he decides to fight. Han arrives to train him, and brings along a friend - Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), the original Karate Kid. The template it follows makes it very hard for Karate Kid: Legends to have any depth. Every frame is something you have seen before; nothing seems fresh. The sad part is that the jokes land harder than the punches. Some of the quirky one-liners (largely coming from Sadie Stanley) evoke a chuckle or two. But there are very few genuine laughs in there. The saving grace for Karate Kids: Legends is its 95-minute runtime, which does not allow you to get bored or frustrated. Sure, it follows a template and not even in a refreshing manner, but at least it gets to the point quickly. It's like a single shot of nostalgia, laden with some well-choreographed fight sequences and funny one-liners. Sadly, it doesn't quite hit you how the makers would have wanted to. Ben Wong is earnest, likeable, and has good screen presence. It's a shame that the screenplay does not allow him to use all those qualities to the full. In the fight scenes, he seems natural. But in the more emotional sequences, the young actor is found lacking. Joshua Jackson and Ming-Na Wen are also far from their best, but do well with what they have. Aramis Knight is reduced to a Johnny Lawrence clone, right down to the violent coach and 'Mr Steal Your Girl' complex. If it were not for Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, Legends would have been downright unwatchable. Individually, the two actors are enough to shine on screen. Together, they bring amazing chemistry that immediately elevates the film to a fun watch. Sadly, this only happens 60 minutes into the 95-minute film. But for the time Jackie and Ralph are on screen training Ben, they light it up, giving the audience some of the most fun moments of the film and infusing some life into it. Karate Kid: Legends appears as a cash grab in parts, engineered to make money off of nostalgia. But it falls short because the intention does not seem to be about telling a cohesive story. Maybe the makers could have taken lessons from Cobra Kai there. What is telling about how mid this film is that the best and most memorable part of it is the final scene, which is completely disconnected from the rest of the film, and gets the loudest cheers from the crowd due to a surprise cameo. When the highlight of your film is a mid-credits scene, it is certainly not a good look.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Karate Kid: Legends review
There's a lot riding on Li Fong, warrior protagonist of the Karate Kid: Legends. The Beijing émigré (played by Disney mainstay Ben Wong) is barely settled into his new Manhattan surrounds when he finds himself schooling Victor, a West Side pizzaiolo (Joshua Jackson), in the ways of kung fu to help him win a boxing purse and clear his debt with unfriendly neighborhood loan shark (Tim Rozon). But when Victor is cheated out of a certain win by an illegal knockout blow, Fong is reminded of the tragic death of his kung-fu idol older brother, and his frozen reaction in the moment puts him at odds with Victor's daughter Mia, an emerging love interest (Sadie Stanley), and his own mother (Ming-Na Wen), who explicitly forbade him from fighting. Besides acing the SAT and fitting into a new high school, Fong is further charged with reinvigorating a cultural institution attempting its first feature film reboot in 15 years. Inferior franchises have buckled under lesser pressure. All of it had the makings of a disaster recipe for director Jonathan Entwistle. But Rob Lieber's script embroiders those plot points on to a classic underdog story that feels even more resonant at a time when young people appear to be more lonely and powerless than ever. Sure, longtime Karate Kid watchers will see many of Legends' punches coming, but there's vastly more enjoyment to be taken from watching the film with young viewers who are either coming into the Karate Kid world fresh or from Netflix's Cobra Kai TV series spinoff. (Kids ruled my screening of the film in Atlanta, where many of the exterior and street scenes in Legends were shot.) To set up the passing of the bandana, the film opens with a scene between Daniel-san and Mr Miyagi from The Karate Kid Part II. In it, Miyagi explains the connection between his brand of karate and a style of kung fu practiced in China – 'two branches of the same tree', as it were. That's our reintroduction to Fong's uncle, Mr Han (Jackie Chan) – the kung-fu master (and carryover from the 2010 Karate Kid sequel) who keeps Fong fighting over his mother's objections. He's the one who pushes Fong to enter a lucrative New York martial arts tournament after he gets in over his head, and the one who flies out to Los Angeles to recruit Master Daniel (played by a still-fresh-faced Ralph Macchio) to prepare Fong for the make-or-break event. It all makes for a winsome 94 minutes that satisfies young audiences' taste for constant action and plays to adult viewers' sense of nostalgia and makes them both laugh at the same jokes. (Fong picks up the nickname 'Stuffed Crust' after committing the worst New York pizzeria ordering faux pas imaginable.) Viewers of a certain generation will have a hard time not feeling old when they see Jackson (AKA Pacey of Dawson's Creek) as a grizzled girl dad, or Wen (AKA Street Fighter's Chun-Li) as a helicopter mom. (Maybe she'll get some fight scenes in the sequel?) Wyatt Oleff – the Entwistle holdover who plays Fong's tutor turned wingman, Alan – was delightful too in his moments of repartee with Fong, who initially recoils from this mother-enforced relationship. (In my screening, Alan got the night's biggest laugh off the bat when he asks Fong, who sports a shiner when they first meet, if his mom 'did that to your eye'.) But for Karate Kid fans of this generation, the biggest payoff is likely to come when the callback to Cobra Kai is finally revealed. For my money, though, the far bigger surprise was the chemistry between Chan and Macchio. It really saves what could've been a too-many-cooks situation. (Surely there's a Zen koan about the vanity of the student with two masters … ) Chan in particular remains the all-time best at getting laughs through martial artistry, and there's an apartment break-in scene between him and Fong that wouldn't look out of place in Rush Hour or another of Chan's stuntwork ballets. Still: that's not to say Legends is a perfect reboot. The grownups in the room who were too young to appreciate character development in the 80s will probably scoff at Legends' thinly sketched antagonists, Aramis Knight's Conor not least. Critical fight sequences in the film unfold like scenes from Mortal Kombat-style fighter games, with only the energy meter missing from the framing. The film also could have done without one notably cringe product placement nod, for which Oleff does the honors. But other than those faint missteps, Legends sweeps the leg. It's warm, it's breezy – it's a burst of summery family fun that is sure to inspire long looks back at the old movies and Cobra Kai episodes while sparking renewed interest in martial arts apprenticeship. Anyone would get a kick out of it. Karate Kid: Legends is out in US and UK cinemas on 30 May
Business Insider
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Yuexiu Real Estate Investment (YUXXF) Receives a Buy from DBS
In a report released today, Ben Wong from DBS maintained a Buy rating on Yuexiu Real Estate Investment (YUXXF – Research Report), with a price target of HK$0.99. The company's shares closed last Friday at $0.13. Confident Investing Starts Here: According to TipRanks, Wong is ranked #3333 out of 9537 analysts. The word on The Street in general, suggests a Moderate Buy analyst consensus rating for Yuexiu Real Estate Investment with a $0.13 average price target.
Business Insider
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
KE Holdings, Inc. Class A (2423) Gets a Buy from DBS
In a report released today, Ben Wong from DBS reiterated a Buy rating on KE Holdings, Inc. Class A (2423 – Research Report), with a price target of HK$62.25. The company's shares closed last Friday at HK$49.20. Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks straight to you inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter According to TipRanks, Wong is a 3-star analyst with an average return of 11.7% and a 54.55% success rate. KE Holdings, Inc. Class A has an analyst consensus of Strong Buy, with a price target consensus of HK$67.39, representing a 36.97% upside. In a report released on May 8, J.P. Morgan also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a HK$65.00 price target. The company has a one-year high of HK$73.50 and a one-year low of HK$34.00. Currently, KE Holdings, Inc. Class A has an average volume of 12.36M.
Malaysian Reserve
06-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Olea and Riverchain announce strategic partnership to address working capital challenges in construction industry
HONG KONG and SINGAPORE, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Olea Global Pte Ltd ('Olea') and Riverchain International Ltd ('Riverchain') are pleased to announce a strategic partnership aimed at addressing the significant working capital lock-up in the construction industry. This collaboration will leverage both companies' expertise to provide innovative financing solutions tailored specifically for construction companies, particularly SMEs that are often underserved by tradition financial institutions. The partnership will combine Olea's global financing capabilities with Riverchain's specialised knowledge and asset origination expertise of the construction sector to deliver efficient working capital solutions for construction businesses across the APAC region. Ben Wong, CEO of Riverchain, said: 'The construction sector faces unique challenges, such as payment delays and cash flow management issues, which can severely impact business operations and growth, ultimately compromising the project supply chain. This partnership with Olea enhances our ability to take a technology-led approach to deliver more comprehensive and efficient financing solutions that address payment delays and provide the liquidity needed for construction companies to take on new projects without financial constraints. Together, we aim to transform how construction businesses manage working capital.' Amelia Ng, CEO of Olea, said: 'We are delighted to partner with Riverchain to extend our financing solutions to the construction industry, which has traditionally faced significant working capital challenges. This collaboration allows us to demystify what has often been an opaque supply chain by leveraging our joint technologies to provide specialized funding options. These solutions address the unique payment cycles and liquidity needs of the construction sector, helping businesses grow sustainably while managing cash flow effectively.' The construction industry is known for its extended payment terms and complex supply chains, which often create working capital pressures for contractors and suppliers. Add to this a volatile economic environment, characterised by rising material costs and skilled labour shortages. This partnership aims to alleviate these challenges by providing accessible, flexible financing solutions designed specifically for construction payment cycles. The Riverchain-Olea partnership plans to finance construction projects, focusing on Asia-Pacific markets. Experts predict continued growth in the sector, with the Asia-Pacific construction output expected to reach USD 8.65 trillion by 2030. However, working capital constraints remain a significant barrier, particularly for small and medium-sized contractors. The Riverchain-Olea solution addresses this working capital lock-up through digitalized financing processes that provide faster access to capital and greater visibility across project payment cycles. About Riverchain Riverchain is a trusted provider of working capital solutions to the construction industry. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Riverchain is actively expanding its footprint across the Southeast Asian region. Having already supported 1,200 construction businesses in Hong Kong, Riverchain provides cash advances of up to 90% on invoices—allowing companies to receive payments up to 60 days before their original expected date. Beyond financing, Riverchain is building a more transparent and resilient construction ecosystem through the proprietary technology that improves visibility of project performance and payment flows. Through Riverchain's specialised industry knowledge and digital infrastructure, Riverchain is modernising construction finance and empowering businesses across the supply chain to grow confidently and sustainably. About Olea Olea is a digital infrastructure platform that connects global liquidity with trade and supply chain opportunities, fuelling growth and unlocking potential worldwide. Olea has diverse liquidity pools with varying appetite and focuses, Olea's vision is to connect capital to opportunity. It has a strong conviction in the role of trade to support sustainable economic development across countries, particularly emerging markets, particularly Asia where many smaller suppliers are based. Olea supports suppliers and buyers in over 70 corridors.
