Karate Kid: Legends Review - The Franchise Still Has Great Energy
A franchise may become stale and even phony after decades of fresh plots and characters. It's what a lot of franchise films have done before. After all, if you know it will still generate revenue, why put in the work? In Cobra Kai, the latest installment in the venerable The Karate Kid franchise, which gave rise to several films, a remake, and a Netflix series, did exactly the opposite of what I was worried Karate Kid: Legends would do, and it's all the better for it.
A year after his older brother's death, Li Fong (Ben Wang), a Chinese adolescent, and his mother (Ming-Na Wen) relocate from beijing to New York. Legends connects to the original movie right away, offering fresh details and a way for Li to continue his adventure. We finish up with a pleasant film that has heart and enough stakes to see it through to the very end. Karate Kid: Legends is not simply pure entertainment for all ages, but it’s also pleasant and engaging in its approach.
Even while the plot is obvious—we know Li will ultimately win the Five Boroughs tournament—it manages to keep the underdog spirit alive as we watch Ali defeat his opponent, a terribly cruel teenager named Connor (Aramis Knight), and get past his own pain. In light of this, Legends is a lighthearted movie that creates enough drama and solid character interactions without relying solely on our memories; it kept me fully engaged.
Karate Kid: Legends is a little cheesy, I'll agree, but it embraces that fact without feeling guilty. It immediately creates a connection between Ali's passion for Kung Fu and having a purpose, without attempting to be anything it is not. However, Li tries to utilize Kung Fu to assist Joshua Jackson's Victor, a pizza shop owner and former boxer who owes the wrong people money, and his daughter Mia (Sadie Stanley) before he takes to the mat himself because he promised his mother he wouldn't fight anymore.
However, the picture really excels when it comes to the cast. As Li's mentor Mr. Han, Jackie Chan remains endearing. When Li comes to New York, he goes missing for a while, leaving us to worry when he will return. Chan is like sunshine when he resurdata-faces, adding even more coziness to Li's life and the movie. Particularly charming and entertaining are his scenes with Li and Daniel LaRusso, played by Ralph Macchio.
Overall, Karate Kid: Legends has a lot of vitality and a cheerful vibe that keeps us interested for the duration of the game. It maintains its emphasis on the individuals without trying too hard and is genuinely captivating. The group has excellent chemistry; their interactions are lively and joyous, and it finds a nice mix between being sincere and having fun. Although the tale isn't very deep, it doesn't need to be in order to be incredibly entertaining. Regardless of how familiar you are with the franchise, it's undoubtedly a crowd-pleasing movie that will keep you feeling good throughout.
Overall, A Good Popcorn Entertainer
Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐