Karate Kid: Legends

Synopsis: 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. When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition -- but his skills alone aren't enough. With help from Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso, he soon learns to merge two styles into one for the ultimate martial arts showdown.

Movie Review: 

“Karate Kid: Legends," directed by Jonathan Entwistle, marks the sixth installment in this beloved franchise that has been around for 41 years. As a lifelong fan of these films, I was genuinely excited for this release. Unfortunately, while it had its moments, I found it a bit disappointing overall. Still, it’s an enjoyable addition to the martial arts coming-of-age genre.

Ben Wang shines as Li Fong, a Kung Fu prodigy. His emotional and charming performance really stands out, showcasing his charisma and executing some jaw-dropping stunts that make the fight scenes feel action-packed and thrilling. The film attempts to give him a heartbreaking backstory, which mostly works and adds depth to his character.

Sadie Stanley plays Mia Lipani, the film's love interest, and she delivers a delightful performance that makes their romance believable. The chemistry between her and Wang is cute and engaging, which adds a nice touch to the story. Joshua Jackson portrays Mia's father, Victor Lipani, and he brings a likable, charismatic, and humorous presence to the film. His role as a father figure to Li is a nice addition, although I did find the subplot of him training in Kung Fu for a boxing match to be a bit silly and unnecessary, which detracted from my overall enjoyment.

When both Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio return as Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso, respectively, the film picks up with a nostalgic vibe reminiscent of the earlier entries in the franchise. Their classic training sequences and witty banter brought a smile to my face, and I found myself wishing they had more screen time together.

However, my biggest issue with "Karate Kid: Legends" is its fast pace, which leaves little room for character development. The story felt rushed and unsatisfying, making it hard to connect with the characters. The villain, Connor Day, played by Aramis Knight, comes off as a one-dimensional bad guy with no real depth, which felt cheesy and forgettable. 

“Karate Kid: Legends" is a pretty standard karate movie that follows a familiar formula. While it features some impressive fight scenes that are definitely worth watching, the storyline leaves a bit to be desired. Overall, I’d rate it a solid 3 out of 5 stars.

Director: Jonathan Entwistle 

Cast: Ben Wang, Sadie Stanley, Joshua Jackson, Ming- Na Wen, Aramis Knight, Wyatt Oleo, Tim Rozon with Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio 

Runtime: 94 Minutes