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There is probably nobody more surprised that the legacy of “The Karate Kid” has lasted this long than the karate kid himself. Ralph Macchio made a name for himself playing young Daniel LaRusso back in 1984 and has spent the decades since wondering how this became such a beloved franchise that spawned three enjoyable but forgettable sequels and a sort of reboot that came and went. That is until he and his cinematic rival Johnny Lawrence played by William Zabka gave in and brought the beloved Netflix series Cobra Kai to life in 2018. A kind hearted often cheesy series succeeded best not just because it overtly thrived on nostalgia but also brought attention to the problematic behavior that comes from those refusing to let go of the past and live solely in their 1980’s obsessed mind. Six seasons later and a million mentions of teaching kids “the Miyagi Way,” Cobra Kai hung up its black belt, but as anyone (especially greedy Hollywood executives) can tell you, the fight is never over. A continuation of Daniel LaRusso made sense or at least keeping “The Karate Kid” universe alive in some way. KARATE KID: LEGENDS is an easy transition into banking off the success of Cobra Kai while also not entirely needing Macchio and Zabka to drive every story. Unfortunately it is also a film that feels spewed out by studio notes with little to no desire to capture any of the heart or fight that not only made the franchise so beloved but just any heart in general. Instead LEGENDS is so full of itself due to its previous success that it feels it can back on both nostalgia and name brand alone allowing gen z to flock in hopes of getting an extended Cobra Kai episode. Call it the anti “Miyagi way.” LEGENDS at its best is just another reminder to return to the original formations and at its worst is a proof that the someone needs to throw in the towel because the final blow has been struck.

KARATE KID: LEGENDS may be the film that has an ego but it also knows that its audience most likely does not remember (or care) that there is in fact a connection between the original trilogy and that somewhat spinoff in 2010 featuring Jackie Chan as a new sensei Mr. Han and his apprentice played by Jaden Smith who ran away from acting so fast his skeleton is still in frame. LEGENDS wants us to remember early on that the Han and Miyagi family were great friends (two branches, one tree). This is because Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) is still teaching karate in China with a new best student, Li Fong (Ben Wang) who also happens to be his grand nephew. Li Fong however is forbidden from learning karate by his mother (a painfully underused Ming-Na Wen) a doctor who is about to uproot Li from China to the concrete jungle of New York City much to Li’s dismay, but hey cue the first of many TikTok trending songs as we are whisked away to the streets of NYC in a nauseating montage that feels more like a travel agent commercial (remember those?) It is humorous off the back to see New York City be treated like such a foreign land less because of Li’s unfamiliarity and more so because the film shot by Justin Brown looks less like NYC and more like asking a toddler to imagine what the city looks like and to draw it out for you. It’s more than obvious that the film was not shot on location (actually filmed in Canada). But Li quickly finds a connection in a local pizzeria meeting Mia (Sadie Stanely) and her dad Victor Lipani (Joshua Jackson pulling a hilarious Brooklyn accent that is silly enough to charm you). But even with this new found crush in Mia, Li’s interest in karate grows especially when an old flame of Mia’s and even some loan sharks threaten his newfound home. LEGENDS is hysterical in how it once again wants everyone to know that karate somehow dominates this world. No mention of any other sport or activity it is all karate and everyone wants a piece of the pie. 

It isn’t long until Li gets pulled back into the fight. LEGENDS with its stunt team wants to feel less like any of the films or shows that came before it and instead give Li a Spider-Man feel to his movement and the entire film in its attempt. Call this Karate Kid: Homecoming if you will. It may seem appropriate for an audience that cherish the webslinger but in trying to create any individuality for Li it feels tacky at best and at its worst when Mia delivers lines like “wow you’re like the Chinese Peter Parker,” but hey when your movies are both owned by Sony I guess you gotta bow down to your golden spider boy. Wang himself has the charm needed for the kind hearted Li dealing with the trauma of losing his brother to a fight while also wanting to make a name for himself in the karate world and get the girl. But even with that charm his line delivery never lands even more so when a script from Rob Lieber gives him lines you’d expect from a CW show. It is weird to witness but for a film hellbent on forming the new karate kid most of the drive comes from a more adult subplot involving Victor getting back in the ring to win the money he owes to some loan sharks and keep his daughter safe. Joshua Jackson has more than enough charisma to bring these moments to better light and in doing so brings out the best in Wang and Sadie Stanley, two up and coming actors who benefit from a veteran leading them. But even when this storyline brings out an exciting montage or two involving training via pizza making skills, it is all edited together with the gusto of making a TikTok that you can feel each scene changing as if it’s being scrolled along by a bored teenager on their phone. Not to mention an endless amount of dreadful needle drops which is unfortunate since composer Dominic Lewis’ score is more than energetic enough to carry these scenes. 

If you are surprised to see a lack of mention of Daniel LaRusso or even Macchio’s ability to carry the character on well just know it is another result of studio notes doing its best marketing trick. There is a small argument to be had that maybe it’s better that LaRusso and Han are not dominating every scene begging for nostalgia love, but it also feels so bizarre to have their shadow hover over every scene with little acknowledgement of the two. When their presence does arrive it is in the form of those famous 80’s training montages audiences seem to love so much, and it is easy to admit that sometimes it is more fun to let yourself get swept up in them. Macchio has not lost one ounce of heart and Chan’s comedic timing balanced with wisdom always hits home. It’s a small saving grace for a film way too close to its final moments. LEGENDS does know how to have fun. In fact it is a film that honestly thinks it’s a blast in its entirety, but more so it also is a film that is reducing itself to a generation that has already made it loud and clear that they do not care about the art of filmmaking. Even “Cobra Kai” a series that streamed on the biggest theater going killer still felt like it had more cinematic appreciation through its extensive and quite impressive stunt work to its ability to recognize itself as a soap opera for teens and play along those lines. LEGENDS may want to start off a new branch off an existing franchise and it may even succeed but it is one rooted less in good faith and more so an obligation. One that is rushed and not giving enough time and care to let something grow in a strong manner. The Karate Kid franchise may have gotten better at fighting but LEGENDS shows that you can easily sweep the leg and watch it all collapse. 

C-

KARATE KID: LEGENDS IS NOW PLAYING IN THEATERS