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Karate Kid: Legends Debuts to Mixed Reception for Nostalgic Homage, Derivative Story Elements

A Beijing kung fu prodigy’s journey in New York City merges franchise characters with fighting styles into a contemporary underdog tale.

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Overview

  • Directed by Jonathan Entwistle with a screenplay from Rob Lieber, the film launched on May 30 as the latest installment bridging the original Karate Kid, the 2010 remake, and Cobra Kai.
  • Ben Wang stars as Li Fong, a Beijing kung fu prodigy who breaks his mother’s no-fighting rule to mentor a struggling boxer into a citywide martial arts tournament.
  • Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio return as Mr Han and Daniel LaRusso in brief final-act appearances that serve more as homage than central story drivers.
  • Critics praise the film’s energetic fight choreography and franchise callbacks but criticize its lack of originality and uneven pacing from crowded plot threads.
  • Reviewers also single out Aramis Knight’s one-note villain and intermittent product placement as elements that disrupt the film’s overall momentum.