Karate Kid: Legends, the sixth film in the Karate Kid franchise and its TV-stre­aming spin-off series Cobra Kai, brings out the big guns — or in this case, its ultimate ‘dragon kicks’: nostalgia and lead actors Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan — in what is the closest remake, homage and iteration of the first Karate Kid.

Despite the idea sounding like a desperate last move of a franchise (and it is that, in a way) and not having a bone of originality in its body, the film directed by Jonathan Entwistle and written by Rob Lieber turns out to be a fresh new contender that is anything but new.

Opening with a flashback to 1985, Mr Miyagi (the late Pat Morita, in a footage from The Karate Kid Part II) shares the origins of Miyagi-Do karate, tracing it to his ancestor Shimpo Miyagi, who learned kung fu in China. In the present, Li Fong (Ben Wang), a kung fu student and the grand-nephew of Mr Han (Jackie Chan, reprising his role from the 2010 remake of Karate Kid), moves to New York after his mother (Ming-Na Wen) insists he give up martial arts following his brother’s death.

Struggling to adapt to his new life in New York, and falling in love with Mia (Sadie Stanley), whose father Victor (Joshua Jackson) is a former boxing champ who now owns a local pizzeria, Li confronts school bully Conor Day (Aramis Knight), a karate champion, but is defeated.

Those who have seen any Karate Kid film will feel right at home with Karate Kid:Legends

After defending Victor from thugs connected to Conor’s dojo, Li, at first, hesitates to fully re-engage in martial arts. Encouraged by Mr Han, who comes to New York to train him (Chan has the lead role in the film along with Wang), the two are joined by Daniel LaRusso (Macchio) as they both train Li for the Five Boroughs Tournament.

Told you the movie sounds familiar — and that the familiarity leans in favour of the film.

Mostly set on rooftops — Li’s training space with Chan and later Macchio — the film captures the essence of the Karate Kid series and functions as a remake, without being a remake. Those who haven’t seen it will like Legends’ energy, and those who have seen any Karate Kid film will feel right at home. It’s a win-win in either case — however, just how big of a win it is depends on the individuals themselves.g

Released by Sony Pictures, Karate Kid: Legends, despite the punches and the kicks (none of them bloody), is suitable for audiences of all ages and has a U (Universal) certificate

Published in Dawn, ICON, June 15, 2025