Karate Kid: Legends – Movie Review
Last Updated on June 11, 2025 by Movie Revew TV
Karate Kid Legends: Movie Review
After Cobra Kai reignited that Karate Kid interest, the next logical step seemed obvious. Wait a few years until that hype dies down, then release the movie. Seriously, did you forget this movie was coming out? Exactly. So, Karate Kid Legends is the newest addition to the Karate Kid franchise, a fresh retelling of the classic story.
This time around, the narrative follows a kid and his mom moving from Beijing to New York. Our protagonist was a student of Mr. Han from the first Karate Kid reboot. You know, the one where it was more about kung fu than actual karate. It’s a notable point in this movie.
In New York, this new kid meets a girl, and they hit it off. But, of course, her ex is your typical martial arts superstar douchebag. The story sounds familiar, doesn’t it? But I have to admit, the first half of the movie was intriguing because it felt like you could predict exactly how this was going to unfold.
The Plot Twist You Didn’t See Coming
Now, the trailers might have given you an idea of the overall storyline, but they missed out on a significant twist.
Our new protagonist’s friend/love interest’s dad, played by Joshua Jackson, owns a pizza place. Unfortunately, he’s in debt to some unsavory characters. And, oh yes, he’s a former boxer.
So, our hero decides to teach his friend’s dad some kung fu techniques to enhance his boxing skills. Maybe he can win a fight, save his pizza place, and clear his debts.
This subplot, albeit shoehorned, added a unique layer to the classic Karate Kid narrative. It showed that a student dealing with his own challenges can still become a teacher. And it highlighted how young people can teach an old dog new tricks. But then, the movie says, “Let’s abandon that and bring in Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio.”
The Cameos and Nostalgia Bait
So, Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio make appearances, and they decide to combine their martial arts forms to train the kid for a tournament.
It feels like a sudden shift from an interesting narrative to a nostalgia-driven cameo fest. Jackie Chan’s character gets tied into the Miyagi family with a clip from Karate Kid 2, albeit with added dialogue. Ralph Macchio’s role feels like easy money, as if they asked him to shoot a few scenes while filming Cobra Kai.
The cameos, while exciting for fans of the original series, seem to detract from the overall storyline. Instead of building on the new characters and their individual growth, the movie pivots to highlight these fan-favorite actors, leaving audiences with a sense of déjà vu rather than novelty.
The interactions between Chan and Macchio, though entertaining, appear to be more about ticking the nostalgia box than contributing meaningfully to the plot.
Why does the kid need to enter the tournament? Honestly, I don’t remember. There’s some theme about facing your enemy for respect, but it feels forced. The school bully challenges him to a tournament fight, and that’s it.
The movie fades from memory, and the focus shifts away from Joshua Jackson’s character and the love interest, leaving their stories unresolved.
Where Did the Romance Go?
I was on board with the romance angle. The new kid meets a girl, they have chemistry, and it felt believable. But ultimately, it doesn’t matter because the film sidelines this subplot.
The tournament finale feels rushed and lacks the original Karate Kid’s montage magic. It’s just, “Here are our last fighters, time to fight.” It’s not as compelling as the boxing match subplot.
The romantic subplot, initially promising, becomes an afterthought as the movie progresses. The chemistry between the new kid and the girl offers a genuine connection that audiences can root for, but as the film shifts its focus to martial arts showdowns and nostalgia, this budding relationship is left in the dust.
The lack of development in their relationship leaves viewers wondering what could have been if the story had given them more screen time and depth.
Two Scripts, One Movie
The movie feels like a mash-up of two separate ideas that didn’t quite mix. Clocking in at about 90 minutes, it’s not too long, but maybe it should’ve focused on one storyline. There are too many characters, and even the mom, played by Ming-Na, gets pushed aside. Too many faces, not enough screen time.
This dual-narrative approach results in a film that struggles with its identity. On one hand, there’s a compelling story about a young martial artist trying to find his place in a new city while helping a friend in need. On the other, it’s a nostalgia-laden trip for fans of the classic films. The two plots, instead of complementing each other, seem to compete for attention, leading to an unsatisfying blend that leaves both feeling incomplete.
One thing I appreciated was that the protagonist wasn’t a complete novice.
He knows kung fu, and Mr. Han and Daniel team up to create a new martial arts form. But it feels repetitive, like something we’ve seen in multiple seasons of Cobra Kai. The fresh elements are overshadowed by the familiar ones.
While the attempt to merge different martial arts styles into something new could have been an exciting twist, it ends up feeling more like a retread of previous iterations.
The training sequences, though well-choreographed, lack the emotional punch and novelty needed to set them apart from what audiences have seen before in the Karate Kid universe.
The film’s editing doesn’t do it any favors either. The pacing is inconsistent, with scenes that feel abruptly cut or awkwardly extended. This choppiness disrupts the flow and makes it challenging for viewers to stay engaged. The sound editing, notorious for its overuse of certain effects, detracts from the experience, making it difficult to immerse oneself fully in the story.
So, have you seen Karate Kid Legends? What did you think? Or, what’s your favorite martial arts movie? Share your thoughts. And if you’re up for more content, just click right here.
But brace yourself for the movie’s editing quirks. You know that sound? It’s all over this movie.
In conclusion, Karate Kid Legends is a film that attempts to balance nostalgia with a fresh take but ultimately struggles to find its footing. The potential was there, with promising new characters and storylines, yet the execution leaves much to be desired.
It’s a nostalgic miss more than a fresh take, reminding us of the enduring charm of the original while highlighting the challenges of reimagining a beloved franchise for a new generation.