What would you prefer to do? Wax on, wax off? Or pick up the jacket, put on the jacket? The latter is less preferred according to most people’s conjecture, and in ‘Karate Kid Legends’, this is the aura that is most felt. Putting that aside, what you get is still formulaic. Tradition follows, and clichés will occur with a tinge of newfound offerings. After the kung fu rising sensation Li Fong relocates to New York City, he brings forth unnecessary attention from a local karate champion and embarks on an arc to enter the ultimate karate competition with the help of Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso. When Li Fong played by newcomer Ben Wang is already advanced in his skills with Mr. Hans teachings, but the method isn’t up to standard with his opponent, Conor played fiercely by Aramis Knight, to approach Daniel-San fifty minutes into the film is the disappointment of the film, when it should’ve been sooner. There’s your reason why Macchio is credited with an ‘and.’
The good news is the film has more merits than flaws; nonetheless, don’t expect pure perfection. Expect scintillating satisfaction. When the training between LaRusso and Mr. Han is combined, as soon as Li Fong adapts Miyagi Do Karate, this is the missing ingredient to finally gain momentum and advantage over the bullying badass Conor. Everything that builds up to Conor’s hostility towards Li Fong is very traditional, like Johnny and Daniel from the 1984 original. Never get involved with a girl who has an ex who won’t let go. Sadie Stanley, who plays Mia Lipani, is the love interest. She is well chosen and worthy, as the audience develops an emotional attachment to her.
It should be noted that the subplot is also a key ingredient that is fascinating and moves the plot forward at a quick pace. The excellent Joshua Jackson plays Mia’s father; known as Victor. A struggling pizza restaurant owner who owes money to intimidating loan sharks. It feels satisfying that due to Li Fong having a fondness for Mia, has her father’s back. The stunts of martial arts when he rescues Mia’s father from the loan sharks put the 1980s martial arts style to shame. Perhaps better wire work and skill is presented here, so that when we see the fight scenes throughout, we are enthralled…yes, enthralled with the action that Li Fong has to offer. A lot of this is down to Ben Wang’s natural skill. Anyone can see why he won that open audition out of thousands. The skill, combined with likability, is key and integral.
What comes next is when Victor (Jackson) is so desperate that he needs quick money to pay back the loan sharks, he puts his old boxing gloves on and asks for the help of Li Fong to train him with kung fu blocking, swerving and punching. Here we feel the Apollo Creed/Rocky IV formula coming. With Victor’s amazing efforts in what he has been taught leads to disaster, revenge comes into the equation. Li Fong must fight in the five-points karate competition to win $50,000, and who will he meet in the final? Let’s just say that if Conor is associated with those loan sharks, be it family or trainer, they are the antagonists and we naturally side with our protagonists: Li Fong, Mr. Han, Daniel LaRusso, Victor who is practically a homage to Apollo Creed and Mia who supports Li Fong and appreciates his cause for her dad.
Overall, we will enjoy the quarrels between Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio’s Han and LaRusso training their karate kid in the making. Karate Kid Legends is a feel-good film, worthy of repeat viewings and a great addition to the franchise. It truly is a film in its own right with a great New York setting and a feel of an Asian Peter Parker in the helm of it. Just don’t expect any Cobra Kai cameos or any mentions of previous characters except for Mr. Miyagi. Yes, Mr. Han and Mr. Miyagi knew each other. How else could you merge Chan and Macchio’s characters together? You’ll just wish it’s more wax on, wax off, but perhaps pick up the jack, put on the jacket, will have to suffice. Can we have the Mr. Miyagi prequel next please?
Wax on, wax off? Or pick up the jacket, put on the jacket?
Movie title: Karate Kid: Legends (2025)
Movie description: After moving to New York City with his mother, kung fu prodigy Li Fong struggles to let go of the past as he tries to fit in with his new classmates.
Date published: May 29, 2025
Country: UK
Duration: 1h 34m
Director(s): Jonathan Entwistle
Actor(s): Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, Ben Wang, Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, Ming-Na Wen
Genre: Drama, Martial Arts
Summary
Karate Kid Legends is a feel-good film, worthy of repeat viewings and a great addition to the franchise.
Aly has a strong passion for film as he enjoys reviewing and analysing them. He has written for Hey U Guys, The Hollywood News and The People’s Movies. He is an aspiring screenwriter and has had much interest by professionals in the industry. For the bread and butter, he teaches English Language and Literature in secondary school which he truly enjoys, but has dreams to enter the film industry professionally. He loves networking as making good contacts is key to moving forward.
