- Director: Jonathan Entwistle
- Star Cast: Aramis Knight, Ralph Macchio, Jackie Chan, and Ben Wang
- Karate Kid: Legends Movie Review Rating: 3.5 stars*
- Runtime: 131 minutes
- Available On: Cinemas
- Language: English (with subtitles)
- Watch or Not?: Yes!
- What’s Bad: Despite its star power, the film is let down by weak cinematography and editing that fail to meet cinematic expectations
- What’s Good: While the film stumbles elsewhere, the charming performances from the lead trio keep things afloat.
Few Hollywood franchises have had a trajectory quite like The Karate Kid. After launching with an iconic debut, it drifted into cultural irrelevance before being revitalized by the widely acclaimed Cobra Kai series.
As someone who appreciates the original and thoroughly enjoys the series, this latest film’s attempt to merge the franchise’s eras feels meaningful, even if it’s hampered by notable shortcomings in filmmaking quality.
Karate Kid: Legends Movie Review: Script Analysis
This film, like many in the Karate Kid series, lacks sharp writing. The dialogue sounds forced and generic.
The story plays out in a straight line, offering few surprises. It’s the kind of movie where you always know what’s next. While some might enjoy the comfort, others will find it tiresome.
Li, a teen from Beijing, moves to NYC with his mother. Starting over isn’t easy, especially when the past refuses to stay behind. Li enters a martial arts tournament to deal with personal and family struggles.
The story mirrors earlier Karate Kid plots. But now, the film adds a twist, uniting characters from across the franchise in a shared adventure.
Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio sharing the screen is something fans will love. But their team-up feels too staged. It doesn’t come across as natural.
The writing style reminds you of Cobra Kai, which adds fun moments but also feels cheap. The story moves too quickly. We barely get to know the characters. The villain, in particular, needed more depth to make the final act hit harder.
Karate Kid: Legends Movie Review: Star Performance
Though the film reunites major stars from the franchise, Karate Kid: Legends truly belongs to Ben Wang. As Li Fong, he commands attention. His performance is likable and strong.
The action scenes may not be groundbreaking, but Wang handles them with skill. He clearly has talent, and this role could lead to more big opportunities.
Sadie Stanley lights up the screen as the romantic lead. Joshua Jackson appears as a mentor and adds a spark to the story.
Their performances are key to keeping the movie together. Without them, it would feel flat. Chan, Macchio, and Zabka do appear but aren’t given much to do.
Karate Kid: Legends Movie Review: Music & Direction
While the acting is solid, the direction disappoints. The movie looks low-budget, plain and simple. Audiences expect cinema to offer something more than what TV does.
This film doesn’t meet that standard. The camera work is dull, and many scenes feel rushed. There’s promise here, but the lack of time clearly affected the outcome.
Well, there’s no real force behind the fights. They feel like filler instead of highlights. That’s not great for a martial arts movie. The plot cares more about Li’s high school life than his training or skills. It’s the wrong focus.
Karate Kid: Legends doesn’t feel like a true step forward. It’s more of the same, just on a bigger screen. While the cast brings heart, the film lacks the depth or ambition we expect from a theatrical release. Non-fans might struggle to connect.
Karate Kid: Legends Trailer
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