Jay Rohr
Karate Kid: Legends flows into the franchise. It maneuvers around canon to find its own place, while still connecting to the overarching storyline. The action is fantastic, though not always ideally captured. Yet, everything mixes with a certain charm that keeps the picture entertaining throughout.
Everything begins in Beijing, China. Li Fong (Ben Wang) attends a wuguan run by Mr. Han (Jackie Chan). After a kung fu street fight results in his brother’s tragic death, Dr. Fong (Ming-Na Wen) decides she and her son need a fresh start in New York City. Reluctant to move, especially since it means giving up martial arts, Li is initially resistant. However, after meeting the Lipani family, particularly the charming daughter Mia (Sadie Stanley), he starts to settle in. Serendipity shows its shadow side, though, as the Lipani’s entanglements with a local fight school compel Li to do what’s right. As such, he’ll have to learn new techniques from a franchise familiar face if he hopes to win a tournament that will settle all scores.
Karate Kid: Legends is marvelous at capturing the essence of the franchise. As a spiritual successor, it provides the typical appeal of an underdog story combined with a tale of finding one’s place in the world. Victor Lipani (Joshua Jackson) isn’t just a father figure, he learns from Li Fong as well, showing how two people from very different parts of the world can grow when they embrace one another. That echoes the relationship between Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi. And of course, there’s martial arts galore.
The Karate Kid films have always been good at showing how these disciplines can better people or corrupt them depending on what someone is taught. It’s a powerful subtext woven into the franchise, not to mention it’s successful spin-off Kobra Kai. Karate Kid: Legends maintains this notion of individuals formed by experiences. Part of this movie revolves around Li dealing with the loss of his brother, and filmmakers wisely allow it to ripple through the whole flick.
Characters frequently make choices in Karate Kid: Legends. Whether motivated by desperation, loss, or lessons in cruelty the movie gives most of the roles solid enough reasons for their actions. Nothing ever feels like events are simply happening to move things along.
That isn’t to say everyone is perfectly fleshed out. Aramis Knight (Ms. Marvel) plays the central villain Connor Day. Most of his part is reduced to sneering menacingly at people. The role offers little more than a generic antagonist. Maybe a future Netflix series will flesh him out as well as his teacher, a loan shark fight instructor named O’Shea played well enough by Tim Rozon (Wynonna Earp). Fortunately, though, Aramis shines in choreographed combat.
Karate Kid: Legends features a fabulous abundance of martial arts fights. Some scenes are on par with the best around. At least, the physical parts. The camera work meant to capture them doesn’t always catch things ideally. Perhaps attempting to emphasize the kinetic nature of these action packed interactions, director Jonathan Entwistle chose a style that errors into being too frenetic at times. Still, enough is visibly on screen to inspire audience cheers. Not to mention groans at certain blows.
The real charm of the movie comes from its many talented performers. Ming-Na Wen (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) is excellent as a mother struggling with loss, who simply wants to protect her remaining son. It’s a shame their relationship ends up on the back burner once the Lipani’s arrive because she has the talent to go deeper with the role. Joshua Jackson (Dr. Death) plays his part with the kind of ease that makes acting look easy, especially when charismatically injecting lighthearted comedy. Sadie Stanley The Goldbergs) is a great counterpoint as his firecracker daughter, who takes things more seriously than her laid back dad. While most of these relationships never go too deep, the chemistry courtesy of all involved makes them relatable and understandable.
Anchoring the film, is Ben Wang (American Born Chinese). Something evidenced by his amazing action skills and solid comic timing. He ably embodies someone wounded by tragedy yet still trying to embrace life. Jackie Chan shouldn’t need any introduction. While he may not be able to do the kind of active performing seen in iconic martial arts movies such as Drunken Master (1978), he still poses the screen presence of a veteran performer, particularly one with excellent comedy chops. Alongside him, adding to franchise tie-ins, is Ralph Macchio (My Cousin Vinny) as the original karate kid, Daniel LaRusso. His acting doesn’t do the film a disservice, though the part seems a little shoehorned in.
That can’t be said for most of the narrative. The opening hours are a wonderful blend of underdog chestnuts mirroring the franchise’s first film, while allowing for fresh flare. Sadly, the second half of Karate Kid: Legends suffers a bit by speeding through plot points.
It feels like the world’s longest montage. Stylistic choices give things like the tournament leading up to the main showdown the sense of fighting games like Tekken, but don’t do the narrative any favors. The film stops being about human interactions, instead becoming a series of cool shots of stylized combat interconnected by brief dialogue hastily tying loose threads.
With all due respect to the franchise, the first Karate Kid movies aren’t flawless. That said, they do perfectly show how what matters most is resonating with the audience. People will happily look past imperfections when a flick is thoroughly enjoyable. In many respects, the same is true here regarding Karate Kid: Legends. There’s nothing to criticize which wholly dismantles the movie. Rough spots in the feature noted by this review are simply meant to mitigate audience expectations not set up a disingenuous takedown.
Karate Kid: Legends is an amusing addition to the beloved franchise. Ben Wang takes a big step towards being a potential star. Karate Kid: Legends is an entertaining flick that never takes itself too seriously, delivering a solid shot of good vibes.
