Synopsis
Karate Kid: Legends unites the iconic martial arts masters of one of the most beloved film franchises of all time to tell a completely new story full of action and heart. When kung fu prodigy Li Fong (Ben Wang) relocates to New York City with his mother to attend a prestigious new school, he finds solace in a new friendship with a classmate and her father. But his newfound peace is short-lived after he attracts unwanted attention from a formidable local karate champion. Driven by a desire to defend himself, Li embarks on a journey to enter the ultimate karate competition. Guided by the wisdom of his kung fu teacher, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), and the legendary Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), Li merges their unique styles to prepare for an epic martial arts showdown.
What We Thought:
Overall Karate Kid: Legends is a family friendly flick that might do well at the box office. The younger generations that know Daniel LaRusso from the Cobra Kai show will enjoy it, but those of us who grew up on the original films probably won’t. There are things I did enjoy about it and things I didn’t so let’s get into it.
The story works because it’s a classic Karate Kid story. In the original film Daniel moves from the East Coast to the West Coast and doesn’t fit in. He gets into it with some local kids who train at one particular facility and has to learn to fight and competes in a tournament at the end of the movie. Well that’s what this one does. Li Fong and his mother move from Beijing, China to New York City because she’s a doctor and takes a job at a NYC hospital. He gets into it with some local kids and has to train to compete in a tournament at the end of the movie. Both films have a girl with ties to the main bad guy and both films have Asian masters teaching them their own specific style of karate/kung-fu. Clearly the story works.
Another positive is Jackie Chan. I’ve been a fan for decades and Chan’s comedic abilities are so underrated. He gets big laughs working with Li and Daniel. At his age he’s not doing the crazy stunts that put him on the map, but he’s every bit the charmer and entertainer. Chan and Ralph Macchio have great chemistry together as they try to combine their fighting techniques so Li can win. Two branches, same tree.
My biggest issue with the film is the direction and style. With video game type graphics and ADHD editing, it’s too much like today. The Karate Kid films are from the 1980s and despite coming out over the past few years and being based today, Cobra Kai had an 80s vibe as well. There’s too much of today’s look to the film with fast paced cuts and fight sequences that are hard to tell what’s happening at times. I mean this in a positive way, but the Karate Kid franchise is kind of corny and cheesy and that’s what I like about it. Cobra Kai is cheesy because it has Daniel and Johnny Lawrence still listening to 80s music and making decades old references. Karate Kid: Legends is clearly geared towards today’s audience with small attention spans and that’s a shame because it’s a classic Karate Kid tale. You know what will happen at the end and you’ll enjoy the training sequences (especially the train station one), but the direction and editing detract more than help if you’re over 30.
I’m curious to see what Karate Kid: Legends does at the box office. A new generation got into the franchise through Cobra Kai, but none of the younger characters from that series make appearances. Jackie Chan comes back from the Jaden Smith version and Macchio returns as Daniel LaRusso, but is that enough to draw in the older fans? I think Gen X parents won’t like it as much as their kids which is a shame because they did enjoy watching Cobra Kai with the kids. There is a great cameo and Chan gets laughs as usual, but is it enough to be a hit across different generations?
Directed by:
Jonathan Entwistle
Written by:
Rob Lieber
Produced by:
Karen Rosenfelt
Executive Producers:
Jenny Hinkey
Ralph Macchio
Cast:
Jackie Chan
Ralph Macchio
Ben Wang
Joshua Jackson
Sadie Stanley
Ming-Na Wen
The Nerds Templar 