Li Fong (Ben Wang) and his mother (Ming-Na Wen) are currently living in Beijing. Within his community, Li is recognised as a skilled kung fu student, thanks to his teacher, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan). After going through a heartbreaking loss and tragedy, Li’s mother decides to make a change and accepts a new job at a hospital in New York City. As the two of them seek to start again, Li’s mother also wants him to stop fighting and focus on his schoolwork instead.
While Li agrees to stop fighting, he soon finds himself in a world of trouble. It all begins when he befriends Mia (Sadie Stanley) and her father, Victor (Joshua Jackson), an ex-boxer. They are doing everything they can to keep their beloved pizza shop afloat, but they owe a large sum of money to the wrong kind of people. To make matters worse, Mia’s ex-boyfriend, Conor (Aramis Knight), a karate champion, is filled with rage when he discovers that Li has been spending time with Mia.
When Victor learns that Li is a skilled fighter, he begs Li to train him so he can return to the ring and hopefully clear their outstanding debt, thereby saving the business. However, Li soon realises that to help his friends, Li himself will need to enter an upcoming championship known as the 5 Boroughs. Thankfully, Li won’t be training for the tournament alone. He will be assisted by his old teacher, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), as well as Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), who has a deep understanding of karate.
Karate Kid: Legends serves as the sixth instalment in the Karate Kid franchise and follows the popular television series Cobra Kai. This film is a welcome entry for long-time fans of the franchise, but it also appeals to newcomers and family audiences. This film marks the directorial debut of Jonathan Entwistle, whose previous work includes the short film Human Begins (2012).
As a long-term fan of The Karate Kid, I found myself enjoying the film for several reasons. Many moments of nostalgia resonated with me emotionally, and the film’s second half is both enlightening and upbeat. It was great to see key characters come together on-screen. Actor Jackie Chan once again delivers heartfelt moments and comedic gags, particularly in his interactions with Daniel LaRusso. The introduction of Li, played by Ben Wang, is also a welcome addition to the franchise and brings a likeable presence to the screen. I appreciated that this film filled in some narrative gaps and further explained the characters, including Mr. Han’s connection and the backstory that led him to Daniel LaRusso’s doorstep. While Karate Kid: Legends certainly has many familiar beats, it is still enjoyable, and its positive messaging is welcoming for all ages.
When it comes to the fight sequences in the finale, it’s obvious they have been influenced by fighting video games. The chosen visuals and sound effects cheapen the fights, making them less impactful and less tense. The teen romance in this film features several moments that made me roll my eyes, particularly with the character of Mia. The way she’s written and her lines of dialogue often make the film feel more childish and unrealistic, even though Sadie Stanley’s performance is great. Another issue I have is that it takes a while for the film to get underway, especially in getting the significant leads on-screen, which feels drawn out. However, if you can stick with it, the payoff is quite rewarding for movie lovers.
Overall, longtime fans of all things Karate Kid and Cobra Kai will find this new film familiar with its core storyline. That said, it’s hard not to feel a sense of delight at the film’s nostalgia and light-hearted comedy, particularly from actor Jackie Chan. The film shines brightest when its main leads are together on-screen; however, it takes some time for this to happen, and until then, the movie can feel less exciting and quite cheesy, especially with the romantic subplots. In terms of fighting, this remains an entertaining aspect, and arcade fighting games clearly inspired aspects of the championship finale. The new character, Li, played by Ben Wang, is also likable and brings his own humour, fighting with the same style and cleverness as Jackie Chan. Thankfully, this makes the film enjoyable for family audiences and newcomers to the Karate Kid franchise.
Karate Kid: Legends (2025) will be available in Australian Cinemas from June 5th!
Published: 1st May 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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