KARATE KID: LEGENDS – Review by T. J. Callahan

Karate Kid: Legends: 2 branches, 1 tree

Are you ready to kick off your summer with a little Kung Fu fighting? Karate Kid: Legends is a new chapter in the martial arts family tree. It’s a sequel to the 2010 Karate Kid reboot and takes place three years after the finale of the Netflix television series Cobra Kai. New characters are introduced, but the old masters are called on for help.

Disney+ star, Ben Wang, himself proficient in the martial arts, has a leg up on the competition as Beijing Kung Fu student Li Fong. When Li moves to New York City with his mother to start anew after a tragedy, he finds himself struggling to forget the past while feeling the need to prove himself to new adversaries, ultimately entering the prestigious 5 Borough Karate competition.

You can guess what happens next. Karate Kid: Legends may be nostalgic with the presence of now mentors, Daniel, the OG Karate Kid, played by Ralph Macchio, and Jackie Chan reprising his role as Mr. Han, but the story is just one cliche after another. The classic underdog fighting his way to the top despite hardships along the way. Over the top villains. A loving parent trying to do what’s best. And yes, a love interest. KK:L feels like an old school live-action Saturday morning serial trying to be relevant again. Like fans of Saved By the Bell feel about The New Class.

What makes Karate Kid: Legends different is its fast pace…possibly because Gen Alpha, who’ll enjoy this movie the most, prefers instant gratification. There’s a mini backstory and then straight on to high stakes high kicking all in the name of carrying on traditions.
Rated PG-13 for violence and some foul language, Karate Kid: Legends scores a black belt in summer teen entertainment, but it’s really just a B movie that earns a C. My husband, Ricky kept 2 👀s open, but he caught a nap before the screening. The flick chops its way to a 5 on the TeejFlixometer