Punchy reboot Karate Kid: Legends keeps beating the odds

Initially, Li starts out as Victor’s pint-size Mr. Miyagi. A former boxer whose glory days left with the birth of his daughter, Victor’s itching to get back in the ring and win some prize money to repay those karate goons and settle his debt. So, Li helps him get his groove back in a training montage with a good amount of zest and editorial flair (the film was cut by Dana E. Glauberman). Unfortunately, Victor gets pummeled to a bloody pulp, and for Li it only brings the guilt he’s held onto from his brother’s death into sharp, paralyzing relief. He fails to act in the moment, snubbing Mia’s insistence that he join her at Victor’s side in the hospital. It turns out that Victor wasn’t the only one in need of a spiritual journey through the sharpening of martial arts skills, and so Mr. Han pays a visit to New York. He enrolls his great-nephew in what one character describes as “the most dangerous karate tournament in the whole city” in order for Li to free himself from his past and win the prize money that Victor’s family needs. 

Karate Kid: Legends is a mirror of the original, lively and energetic, cobbled together with a swing in its step and a number of creative flourishes littered about—like frequently kinetic scene transitions and a couple full-on animated sequences. The screenplay, credited to Rob Lieber (Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween), does not dwell or linger on overwrought emotional beats or dull, unlikeable characters. It’s efficient, constantly in motion, competently transporting the audience from scene to scene, and Entwistle and DP Justin Brown always give them something interesting to look at. It shouldn’t be the gold standard to call a film “eminently watchable,” to commend it for simply doing things which are perhaps only moderately creative. But when so many other mainstream franchise blockbusters cannot pass this bare minimum benchmark, it is a relief when one has clearly been made with audience engagement and stimulation in mind.

It also helps that the cast is as invigorated as the filmmaking, particularly 25-year-old Ben Wang, who conveys the script’s consistent cheese with an impressive mix of charisma and genuine pathos. The rest of the cast varies, but remains consistently likeable: Stanley sweetly overacts; Aramis Knight, who plays delinquent ex-boyfriend Connor Day, seems to be enjoying himself while scenery-chewing and mugging a loop of threatening faces; and Jackson is winsome as the affable dad. Jackie Chan is also there, as is Ralph Macchio in the film’s second half—both are fine. The veteran actors do their jobs as Li’s dual Miyagi figures, combining their expertise to train Li for the tournament. And the climactic fight is admittedly a white-knuckler, even if it’s obvious how it will end. Day is a menacing antagonist and worthy opponent to Li, and the heightened tension derived from well-edited and telegraphed choreography in their melee makes for a thrilling final sequence.

Karate Kid: Legends is presumably geared towards adults who desperately want to remember the ’80s instead of actual children (the film is PG-13, as opposed to the original and reboot’s tame PG). But compared to the Lilo & Stitch live-action remake—a film whose existence is made similarly possible by adults who refuse to let go of their childhood, and who have the money to spend on reliving it—this is a far more rousing time at the movies. The legacy sequel/remake machine isn’t going to shut down production anytime soon, and at this point it’s gauche to continue bemoaning its existence. But the least it could offer are films which treat audiences with some level of respect for their intelligence and time. With a brisk screenplay, dynamic editing, and compelling fight scenes, Karate Kid: Legends was at least crafted by filmmakers who understand that simple truth.

Director: Jonathan Entwistle
Writer: Rob Lieber
Starring: Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, Ben Wang, Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, Ming-Na Wen
Release Date: May 30, 2025