Karate Kid: Legends Movie Review: A Nostalgic Kick with Some Missed Punches

The Karate Kid franchise has been a beloved part of pop culture since its 1984 debut, blending martial arts action with heartfelt coming-of-age stories. With Karate Kid: Legends, released on May 30, 2025, the franchise attempts to bridge its storied past with a fresh narrative, uniting icons Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio while introducing a new hero, Li Fong, played by Ben Wang. While the film delivers a nostalgic punch for fans, it stumbles with a predictable plot and uneven execution, making it a mixed addition to the series. Here’s a closer look at what works and what doesn’t in this latest chapter.

A Familiar Yet Fresh Story

Karate Kid: Legends follows Li Fong (Ben Wang), a young kung fu prodigy who relocates from Beijing to New York City with his mother (Ming-Na Wen). Tasked with leaving his martial arts past behind, Li struggles to adapt until he crosses paths with a local bully, Connor (Aramis Knight), and forms a connection with Mia (Sadie Stanley), a charming pizza shop worker. When circumstances push Li into a high-stakes martial arts tournament, he’s mentored by two legends: Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) from the 2010 reboot and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) from the original trilogy and Cobra Kai. The setup feels like a love letter to the franchise, pulling together characters from different eras for a crossover that’s both nostalgic and ambitious.

The plot, however, treads familiar ground, echoing the classic Karate Kid formula: a young outsider faces bullies, finds a mentor (or two), and trains for a big tournament. While this structure is comforting for fans, it lacks surprises, feeling like a rehash of past films with a modern twist. The script, penned by Rob Lieber, leans heavily on Cobra Kai’s TV-style charm, which injects energy but sometimes makes the film feel more like an extended episode than a cinematic event. As Koimoi notes, “the film goes more into the Avengers route, gathering people from all over the franchise,” but this ambition leads to convenient plot points that can feel “too artificial” and “amateurish” at times.

Standout Performances Carry the Film

Where Karate Kid: Legends shines is in its cast. Ben Wang is a revelation as Li Fong, bringing charisma and authenticity to the role. His martial arts skills—spanning karate, kung fu, wing chun, gumdo, kempo, and taekwondo—make the action sequences pop, even if the choreography isn’t the franchise’s best. Wang’s ability to carry the emotional weight of Li’s journey, from grief over his brother’s death to finding strength in martial arts, makes him a worthy successor to past Karate Kid leads. As Koimoi puts it, “Wang really shines, and we can hope this film serves him as a calling card for more projects in the future.”

Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio deliver the nostalgic pull fans expect, though their roles are smaller than anticipated. Chan’s Mr. Han brings warmth and gravitas, stealing scenes with his signature blend of humor and wisdom, while Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso channels the Cobra Kai version of the character, offering a seasoned perspective. However, as some X posts point out, their limited screen time—described as “15 minutes at most” for Chan and “5 minutes” for Macchio by one viewer—feels like a missed opportunity. Their chemistry as bickering mentors training Li on a Manhattan rooftop is a highlight, but the film doesn’t give them enough to do, a sentiment echoed by IndieWire: “Macchio gets very little to do… He could be cut out entirely, if the movie didn’t care about reminding the audience of the original.”

Supporting players also leave a mark. Sadie Stanley is delightful as Mia, Li’s love interest, adding charm to a predictable romance arc. Joshua Jackson, playing Mia’s father Victor, a former boxer with debts to a shady dojo, brings unexpected charisma, with The Prague Reporter likening his swagger to George Clooney. Aramis Knight’s Connor is a suitably menacing villain, making audiences cheer when he gets his comeuppance, as noted by Entertainment Weekly. Ming-Na Wen, however, is underutilized as Li’s mother, a criticism shared across reviews, with EW calling her role “roundly ignored” until the end.

Action and Nostalgia with Flaws

The film’s action sequences are a mixed bag. Director Jonathan Entwistle, known for Netflix’s The End of the F*ing World, infuses the tournament scenes with graffiti-style graphics and a fast-paced vibe, but the fights lack the grit of earlier entries. A standout moment from the trailer, where Li flips off a fire escape to fend off a bully, showcases Wang’s stunt prowess, but the climactic rooftop battle, while visually striking with its Manhattan skyline, feels more style than substance. The Hollywood Reporter critiques the film’s reliance on “video-game aesthetics” and a “cliche-riddled” plot, noting that “the goodwill generated by the performers has long since worn off” by the end.

Nostalgia is the film’s biggest draw, opening with a clip from The Karate Kid Part II featuring Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi, a touching nod to the franchise’s roots. The blending of Chan’s kung fu and Macchio’s karate, along with references to Cobra Kai’s final season, creates a sense of continuity that fans will appreciate. As Times Now puts it, “It’s not perfect, but it’s a spirited, action-packed celebration of everything Karate Kid fans cherish.” Yet, the film struggles to stand on its own, with Screen Daily noting its “cynical, formulaic execution” and lack of “emotional undercurrents” that made the original resonate.

A Breezy but Flawed Addition

At 94 minutes, Karate Kid: Legends is brisk but feels rushed, with pacing and editing issues highlighted by fans on X: “Only complaint is it’s a little TOO fast paced and there’s some weird editing choices.” The dialogue often leans on cliches, and the story’s emotional beats, like a flashback about Li’s brother, feel forced and cheesy. For fans of the franchise, the film delivers enough heart and action to satisfy, with one X post calling it a “roundhouse kick of fun and nostalgia.” However, for newcomers or those expecting a fresh take, it may fall short, as The Hollywood Reporter sums up: “a pleasant enough time filler. But that’s about it.”

Final Verdict

Karate Kid: Legends is a nostalgic crowd-pleaser that banks on the charm of its cast and the franchise’s legacy. Ben Wang is a standout, and the Chan-Macchio team-up delivers moments of joy, but the film’s predictable plot, uneven pacing, and underuse of its stars keep it from reaching the heights of the 1984 original or Cobra Kai’s best seasons. It’s a fun, family-friendly flick for fans, but don’t expect it to break new ground. As one X user put it, “All I wanted was a fun, montage-filled Karate Kid film with great music and fun fights—and they delivered!”