KARATE KID: LEGENDS Review: A New Chapter In The Karate Kid Saga

Since the revival of the “Karate Kid” story with the highly acclaimed series “Cobra Kai” lasting six seasons the studio executives can clearly see there is a want for fans to see the story continue. It wasn’t long after the finale of season 6 that the news broke a new film was in production and a Worldwide casting call was announced to find the new Kid on the block to carry on the legacy. My excitement grew even further when they released that they would be joining Sifu Han (Jackie Chan) and Sensei Larusso (Ralph Macchio) together, I was curious as to how they would achieve this. Luckily I didn’t have long to wait. 

The film was released in theatres Worldwide on 30th May and I was honoured to be invited to a private screening by Sony Pictures UK at the Odeon Lux in Leicester Square on 28th May. Here is what I thought. 

Initially the film starts off with the same premise as the original film and the 2010 remake starring Jayden Smith. Where Li Fong (Ben Wang) is forced to relocate due to his mother receiving a residency at a hospital in New York. A foreigner in a strange big city with no friends. However, the film moves at a quick pace and Li befriends Mia (Sadie Stanley). As per all Karate Kid incarnations there is a protagonist in the form of Conor (Aramis Knight) who is Mia’s ex boyfriend who happens to be the local Martial Arts reigning champion of a tournament called the 5 Boroughs.

Film Still Courtesy Of Sony Pictures UK

It isn’t long before we see both these guys go toe to toe in a playground with Conor getting the upper hand on Li. However that is just a taste as a full blown fight sequence breaks out in a back alley shortly afterwards which left me smiling, you could tell instantly Jackie has added his own flair to proceedings with the choreograph utilising ordinary objects to their advantage in fights. What sets this film apart from the others is there is a slight twist to the plot where the student (Li) becomes the teacher when he trains Mia’s ex boxing father to win a fight to pay off his debts and keep his pizza business a float. During this process we are treated to a training montage, nothing that we haven’t seen before, but with the added humour that gets the job done. Unfortunately as predicted things don’t go according to plan resulting in deep routed trauma for Li to raise its ugly head. He has lost his only friend and purpose in life, time for a saviour to arrive in the form of  Sifu Han.

Film Still Courtesy Of Sony Pictures UK

The entry of Jackie lifts the mood of the film completely and adds just enough comedic elements not to make it too cheesy. Sifu hatches a plan to make things all right by entering Li into the 5 Boroughs with a cash prize of $50,000. However, this means going face to face once more against his arch enemy Conor. Sifu feels his student needs balance in his training and out sources an addition to the coaching team. Cue Daniel Larusso (Ralph Macchio) a warm feeling came over me when the site of Mr Miyagi’s home with his classic car collection came onto the big screen, brings back the nostalgia of watching the original many years ago for the first time. The connection between Jackie’s Sifu and Master Miyagi isn’t truly clarified except they are old friends. Sensei Larusso wasn’t fully on board however something told Sifu he would join the cause. On a New York building rooftop Sifu and Sensei come together to train Li for the ultimate task, during these sequences the humour and dialogue reflected similar scenes from “Forbidden Kingdom” when Jet Li and Jackie’s characters train a kid. However watching Sensei and Sifu trade blows against their student with the soundtrack playing couldn’t but get you hyped. A sequence involving a train station turnstile and Li’s character flying through the air performing a “Dragon Kick” in the real world of Martial Arts Tricking a Shurkien Box Cutter, was fun and imaginative.

Film Stills Courtesy Of Sony Pictures UK

Li’s character takes on numerous opponents to reach the final of the 5 Boroughs which was set on a rooftop in the middle of the city when the sun is setting. The battle commenced Conor VS Li, first to 8 points wins. The finale fight sequence is well choreographed and realistic without the over use of wires. Their strategy pays off in the end and win goes to Li. What follows is a comforting wrapping up of the characters and a cameo which was perfectly executed to complete the film. 

Film Stills Courtesy Of Sony Pictures UK

Overall “Karate Kid Legends” is a cocktail of all the stories already told, however it brings together new and old characters that truly shine throughout. The additional co stars of Victor (Joshua Jackson) and Alan (Wyatt Oleff) really rounds off the ensemble cast. The story moves along at a fast pace and doesn’t linger too much which is a massive bonus. The combination of Ralph and Jackie is a match made in heaven, as they said two branches one tree. Director Jonathan Entwistle has been able to to breathe new life into a story that has been done to death. It lived up to all the hype and I left the cinema very satisfied. 

I give “Karate Kid Legends”

5/5 Bonsais