Karate Kid: Legends Review
Karate Kid: Legends (2025) Film Review, a movie directed by Jonathan Entwistle, written by Rob Lieber and Robert Mark Kamen and starring Jackie Chan, Ben Wang, Ralph Macchio, Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, Ming-Na Wen, Wyatt Oleff, Aramis Knight, Olivia Yang Avis, Nicholas Carella, Shaunette Renee Wilson and Tim Rozon.
Jonathan Entwistle directs the entertaining latest Karate Kid movie in the saga which is titled Karate Kid: Legends. This film opens with a flashback to the old Daniel San (Ralph Macchio) who is under the instruction of Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita). This short scene will tie viewers into the original Daniel San character who comes into the new film later in the game. Soon, we meet Kung Fu trainer, Mr. Han (the incomparable Jackie Chan) who works with the young Li Fong (Ben Wang) whose mom (Ming-Na Wen) is leaving Asia for New York City because of her job as a doctor. When the action kicks in set in New York City, it becomes a rather enjoyable film to watch even if you know the filmmakers are manipulating the audience to laugh, clap and cheer from beginning to end. I did all three.
Li seeks out stuffed crust pizza at a local Italian joint and meets one-time fighter turned pizza parlor owner, Victor Lipani (a terrific Joshua Jackson). Victor’s daughter is the personable Mia (Sadie Stanley) who just happens to be coming out of a relationship with a martial arts expert, Conor (Aramis Knight) who is competing in a Five Boroughs tournament where only the strongest survive. Conor is a bully, and this plot thread will remind viewers of the original 1984 film where Daniel San was bullied. Li and Mia become good friends which makes Li want to earn the status of becoming her official boyfriend.
Eventually, Mr. Han shows up to help train Li, but not before Li takes on the responsibility of training Victor for another shot at glory. Li’s young brother died after being stabbed and Li doesn’t want to have another tragedy happen again. At least halfway into the movie, Macchio’s Daniel reluctantly comes on from the West Coast to instill the original goals and aspirations of Mr. Miyagi in Li who enters the Five Boroughs tournament in an effort to prove he has the ambitions to win Mia over and show that he has mastered the art of his craft.
Ben Wang is immensely likable and has a good rapport with Stanley’s character as they ride on trains together and walk through New York City neighborhoods after Mia’s motor bike breaks down. Sadie Stanley is funny and energetic as in one scene where she yells at her dad, reminding him she has a pizza parlor to run. Meanwhile, Jackie Chan is his usual brilliant self although he could have probably done this role in his sleep. A really funny scene has Chan’s character training Li by having him try to go under a turnstile while doing a karate move in the New York City subway system, but, of course, Mr. Han swipes his MetroCard to pay the fare.
Ralph Macchio isn’t given much to do, but there’s something nostalgic about seeing him on-screen again some 41 years after the first The Karate Kid movie. Joshua Jackson steals the show with his pizza store owner character who forms a bond with Li and may get into some trouble when he gets back in the ring as the plot progresses. Jackson has a great time playing his role, and his natural charisma carries him through his smooth performance in the new picture. Ming-Na Wen, as the concerned mom, is also heartfelt and delivers a performance full of integrity and emotion.
Yes, the last fight scene is a little too short and the movie employs one too many montage sequences to show Li’s progression, but the movie is totally enjoyable on a simple entertainment level where you don’t have to think too hard to enjoy the on-screen plot development. This film also adds a nice surprise at the end for fans of the franchise by bringing back a character from an earlier entry in the series with hysterical results.
Karate Kid: Legends was a perfectly fine way to bring the franchise back to life, but it is slight in terms of possessing substantial complexity in the themes it presents. Never mind, though, because the fight scenes are quick and tight while Chan and Macchio have a blast representing the earlier entries in the long-lasting franchise. Too bad, Hilary Swank of The Next Karate Kid didn’t make an appearance to round out the series and give it the final kick it may have needed to be a perfect throwback to the old school movies from the franchise. Still, Karate Kid: Legends delivers the goods.
Rating: 7/10
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