Karate Kid: Legends Movie Review

“Karate Kid: Legends” takes on a story that has been hashed and rehashed many times before. Starting with the original film in 1984 (“The Karate Kid”) up to the end of the recent Netflix series (“Cobra Kai”), there have been a lot of karate, kung fu, and teenage angst up on the screen. And now the original “Kid” from first version has become a little older, too.

The origins date back around 40 years, with the first Kid — Daniel LaRusso (played by Ralph Macchio). His teacher of karate, and of life, back then was Mr. Miyagi (played by Pat Morita). Several sequels have been made, mostly with Daniel and Mr. Miyagi having some part. Then a remake came in 2010, with the role of mentor and teacher going to a man in China named Mr. Han (played by Jackie Chan).

With all this groundwork, it comes to the point where Mr. Han is still a respected kung fu teacher in China. He has a star student named Li Fong (played by Ben Wang). Li had a brother who was also trained by Mr. Han. There was a terrible event one night after his brother won a major contest. Now his brother is dead and his mother wants to move on.

Li’s mother is Dr. Fong (played by Ming-Na Wen) – an emergency room doctor who is about to move to New York City. Li would like to stay in Beijing, and learn from Mr. Han. But that is not possible, and they both leave for the Big Apple. Li speaks Mandarin and also English, so he hopes to fit in well.

Around the corner there is a pizza place run by Victor Lipani (played by Joshua Jackson). Li is smitten by his daughter named Mia (played by Sadie Stanley). Mia thinks that Li is OK, but she had been hanging out with a local guy who was learning martial art. This guy, named Connor Day (played by Aramis Knight), is being trained karate in the worst way possible. His teacher is focused in mean and cruel moves.

Victor has been an amateur boxer years ago. He now owes some money to thugs after his loan went bad. They go after him, but Li steps in to fight them off. Victor would like Li to train him in getting some of those kung fu techniques put into his own boxing. But his next bout in the ring results in a bad injury for Victor,

Li asks Mr. Han for advice. But rather give it over the phone, Mr. Han comes to NYC. He knows that Dr. Fong will not be happy that he is there to train Li once again. But Mia does not want anything to do with Li anymore. She sees that Mr. Han has come to teach Li, so she knows that Li is committed to be the best.

There is a city-wide tournament coming up for martial arts. It is an event that could pay off if Li entered and could win. Li has doubts that he knows enough, because many other contestants know karate. Mr. Han says that he can solve that problem. He knows a teacher from California who once studied under the best — Mr. Miyagi.

Daniel LaRusso (played by Ralph Macchio) is called in to become an additional teach to Li Fong. He now can master kung fu from Mr. Han. But then he can also learn karate from Daniel LaRusso. As Mr. Han says — it is the two branches from the same tree. Victor gets out of the hospital and will be there to cheer on Li in his efforts.

Mia is totally over Conner Day, and now she is in the Li Fong camp. In fact – it will be Conner Day who will be Li’s final opponent. The stakes are raised high. Dr. Fong see how much Li has been training, and how many friends he has made, so she actually becomes the newest Li supporter.

Mr. Han and Mr. Larusso both give Li some training on poise over power and restraint over reactions. Li has a move that his brother taught him years ago. Li wants to use a perfected version of the ‘flying dragon kick’ to take Connor Day off his game. But Day has seen this move before — will Day be able to counter-attack? Or is Li good enough to mix his kung fu moves with his karate moves?

*********************************************************************************************

“Karate Kid: Legends” weaves the prior versions of “Karate” movies into a new alternative. It benefits from the decades-long tradition of these movies. It was a smart move to get the original “Kid” (Ralph Macchio) to join up with the most recent mentor – Mr. Han (Jackie Chan). Add to that mix the new talent in Ben Wang, and you can walk away with a very entertaining end result.

That is not saying they this is the most original version of a “Karate” movie. It has a real mish-mash of ideas and concepts. Very few of the characters have much in the way of development. It is shame to have a talented actor such as Ming-Na Wen — and give her a role that doesn’t have much to it. Jackie Chan is a film legend, and Ralph Macchio is a legend in terms of “Karate” movies.

The story is fine, but it does not tread any new ground. There is a nice chemistry between Ben Wang (as Li Fong) and Sadie Stanley (as Mia Lipani). The fights are choreographed very well, but the editing is somewhat choppy. The background score is energetic, and there are some really nice songs mixed in the soundtrack.

“Karate Kid: Legends” is a movie that takes the old and mixes it with the new(er) – even when the outcome is pretty certain – it gives you a good build-up to an enjoyable finish. So now — Wax on, Wax off…