by Miguel Fermin
Karate Kid: Legends is a frenetic martial arts journey. It’s not trying to be a blast from the past filled with nostalgia. Instead, it commits to its themes about making a new legacy that honors what came before. The story is not a mere retread but rather a brilliant remix of tropes and expectations. Of course, the stunt choreography is top notch, and every fight is a crowd pleaser both within the movie and in the real theater audience.
Fresh Start
This new entry finds its new life in the new protagonist. Meet Li Fong. Played by Ben Wang, the series has another new kid on the block, but this one’s got tricks up his sleeves. Instead of being another down-on-his-luck boy who learns martial arts, Li Fong already knows kung fu. Li Fong already has his confidence, but he is trying to overcome a troubled past shared with his mother, played by the brilliant Ming Na-Wen. His story is one of both discovery and self-affirmation, which is a wonderful combination of the themes from The Karate Kid (1984) and The Karate Kid (2010). Beyond this, it also makes the character dynamics more interesting, as he is both mentor to side characters and student to martial arts legends. Ben Wang as Li Fong is awesome, and he shines in the role because of a stellar supporting cast.
Kung Fu Plus Karate
Mr. Han and Daniel — Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio — make their triumphant return. This movie sees both characters as respected masters of their craft doing well for themselves, so it means a great deal for them to train Li Fong together. The script is smart in how it combines the different disciplines of kung fu and karate, and it succeeds in selling the idea of a shared legacy: different branches, one tree. Their teaching styles cooperating and clashing in witty back-and-forth is undoubtedly the highlight of the movie’s performances. Love interest Mia and her father Victory, played by Sadie Stanley and Joshua Jackson respectively, are also great additions. Instead of being just another narrative vehicle for drama, they instead add another perspective on the importance of martial arts as a discipline. Last and certainly not least, Conor, played by Aramis Knight, is a formidable antagonist. The iconic status of the series’ heroes are matched by their opponents, and Conor is an intimidating rival who justifies the need for two masters.
With a brisk runtime of around one and a half hours, Karate Kid: Legends wastes no time in pulling the audience in. It’s a pulpy summer blockbuster, and it’s rewarding because it knows exactly what moviegoers want to see. Director Joanthan Entwistle is one of those directors that has a style that can be described as distinctly youthful. He brings that fun energy into this franchise that has always been about coming-of-age, but now, it feels GenZ. The editing is whimsical and snappy, cutting up the screen like it’s comic and flipping through the pages. It’s also surprisingly colorful, overlaying rough “drawn” graphics onto scenes.
Visual Feast and Then Some
The action keeps this fresh energy. The movie clearly takes inspiration from modern action films, and it’s for the better. The cinematography is slick, in-sync with the movements of the characters and right in the middle of the fight. The camera moves with every punch, kick, and throw to add immersion. It lets the audience feel every hit, and it’s used effectively for both comedic levity and dramatic tension. What’s always been impressive about the series is its ability to show just how hard and grueling it is for the characters to be at their level of skill. The movie flows easily between training and fighting, and this seamlessness is where the movie finds its heart-pounding rhythm.
Karate Kids: Legends is a bold and fun take on the martial arts journey. It proves that this series is effective in its simplicity, yet it can also keep reinventing itself. It’s a fun movie that can stand on its own for anyone watching, but it is more rewarding for those who have kept up with the series. I’m glad that this series keeps finding new ways to move forward at its own pace. I hope that this new legacy continues further.
