Rob Reviews "Karate Kid: Legends"

Sometimes, I wonder if the generations that have come before me have the same “what is old is new again” feelings when it comes to any form of entertainment.  I mean, I get that the medium of film has just passed its century mark, but it doesn’t seem like there has really been a constant recycling of old material like we have seen in the 21st century.  I’m not complaining here, but the more I see the more my skepticism takes hold.  What I have learned is to keep my expectations low so as not to be too disappointed.  I can’t say that I needed it for Karate Kid: Legends, but it also was not a bad idea to have that mindset.

Jonathan Entwistle makes his big-screen debut with this installment that takes place three years after the end of Netflix’s Cobra Kai.  Li Fong (Ben Wang) has just moved to New York City when his mother (Ming-Na Wen) takes a new job as a doctor, leaving Beijing behind.  He also leaves behind his Kung Fu teacher, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), and promises his mother that he will not get into any fights as they start a new life.  When trouble finds him from a local karate prodigy (Aramis Knight from Into the Badlands) and a love triangle with his ex, Mia (Sadie Stanley, the Brea Bee from The Goldbergs, so you don’t rack your brain like I did), Mr. Han comes to help and brings some help in Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) with him in order for two branches to form one tree.

There are some pretty great moments here that kept me engaged into the story all the way through.  Joshua Jackson is also here as Mia’s dad and also has stakes in Li’s success, and even though he has REALLY been channeling George Clooney in the last few years, it actually works for him.  Tim Rozon of Schitt’s Creek also brings the creepy in a character that mirror’s Martin Kove’s sensi from the original 1984 film.

Speaking of that, the question lingers as to if this is simply a re-hash of that film, and that answer is yes, but that is also not a knock on Legends.  Knowing that The Karate Kid (which I also learned that the title originally belongs to DC Comics, and the film company still has to cut them a check for it… so good on them) was two generations ago, I had no issue with it being very similar to that film.  For those of us in Generation X, we tend to hold that film very close to us and have every right to be protective of it.  The thing that makes this version work is that it is presented in a very 2025 style with cool video game-like enhancements in the graphics, over-the-top stunt work that gives it a comic book feel that appeals to a current generation.  The excitement is still there, the fun is still there, and the action is still there, and that made it exceed my expectations.

However, there is no “You’re the Best,” but I can forgive that.