Karate Kid: Legends

Today, my sister and I went to the theaters to see “Karate Kid: Legends,” which came out four days ago. She was really eager to see this movie, especially since “Cobra Kai” was an amazing show. However, since we got this sequel after much years of talk, how is it compared to the last few sequels? Is it any better than the last few sequels or does it deserve the negative reception a lot of critics have been giving it?

Will this current release of nostalgic movies, with the live-action Disney remakes and other sequels, going strong, bring in the large box office numbers for this latest “Karate Kid” sequel? Maybe.

The film has the only pizza shop in New York City’s Chinatown (the film was mainly shot in Montreal) where the manager is a former boxer who owes money to the mob. Beginning in the Beijing dojo of Shifu Han (Jackie Chan), where student Li Fong (Ben Wang) trains against the orders of his mother, Dr. Fong (Ming-Na Wen), and is suddenly told that she has accepted a job in New York City. James Verniere said in his review, “Living in an oak wood adorned spacious Chinatown apartment, Li, who speaks fluent, accent-free English, is dubbed “Stuffed Crust” by the former boxer pizza shop owner Victor Lipani (Joshua Jackson) and becomes interested in his daughter Mia (Sadie Stanley), who is also Vic’s sharp-tongued, pizza shop coworker.”

Directed by Jonathan Entwistle and written by Rob Lieber based on the original 1984 underdog film’s screenplay by Robert Mark Kamen, “Karate Kid: Legends” is another sequel no one asked for. Everyone from the 1980s knows the original film’s plot points and lines of dialogue and has shared them with everyone. There have been three “Karate Kid” sequels, a 2010 remake, and a Netflix series “Cobra Kai,” which can from 2018 to 2025. The original “Karate Kid” was directed by “Rocky” director, John G. Avildsen, and had an animated series along with a lot of merchandise.

Verniere noted, “Although likable at times, especially for its cast, this new film reeks of cost-cutting and formula at every turn. Li is introduced to a Chinatown fighting school, where the film’s one-note, single-expression villain, Conor Day (Aramis Knight), knocks out all his sparring partners with a leg sweep to the head.” Li shares how his older brother, played by Yankie Ge, taught him a move called “the dragon kick” before he was stabbed one night after winning a tournament. Verniere admitted, “After that scene, I felt like I knew exactly how the film was going to end (I did).” As the respected Mr. Han, Chan is the film’s replacement for the late Pat Morita, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his cleverly funny and memorable performance as Mr. Miyagi in the original film (if you remember in my review, I noted how Miyagi was very similar to Burgess Meredith’s grouchy boxing trainer Mickey in “Rocky”).

In this new film, Li is coached by both kung-fu master Mr. Han and karate champion Daniel LaRusso, reprised by Ralph Macchio, an old friend of the late Mr. Miyagi, and asks for his help with this training. Chan and Macchio have some fun arguing about their different fighting styles. While Li and Mia share a difficult romance, Victor trains with Li for a boxing comeback match, setting up the third-act tournament between Li and Conor. I guess everyone can predict how everything will end.

Verniere ended his review by saying, “As Li’s eccentric SAT tutor Alan, who plays the Backstreet Boys’ millennial hit “I Want It That Way” on guitar, Wyatt Oleff (TV’s “I Am Not Okay with This”) is a refreshing relief from the film’s dull formula. Mia amusingly refers to Li as the “Chinese Peter Parker.” Why couldn’t they fit in a flirtation between forty-somethings Wen and Jackson, whose characters are both notably single and attractive? It’s a real lost opportunity given how much we like these actors. Chan is effortlessly charming as Mr. Han, although the iconic Morita is a hard act to follow. Li exudes good guy vibes as the film’s torn protagonist. But the corn is high and commands the view. Cue the (corny) freeze frame ending.”

I don’t agree with anything the critics are saying about this film. This is not a corny sequel with a dull or boring formula. I think there are some things that are similar to the previous films, but it does not copy it beat for beat like the 2010 remake did. Sure, I can understand some problems, like Macchio and Chan not having enough screentime together, the training montages not including everything familiar that we love, and not knowing about the villains in the film. Still, I think this was an enjoyable sequel that was funny and kept you engaged. I never felt bored or annoyed when watching the film. Check it out in the theaters and have an enjoyable time watching it, especially if you’re a “Karate Kid” fan.

Thank you for reading this blog tonight. Stay tuned this Friday to see what I will review this month.