Empoword Journalism

Karate Kid: Legends – Review

aliciat786

*Spoilers

Alicia Tariq

Karate Kid: Legends (2025) is a film that carries on the legacy of the Karate Kid cinematic universe, first introduced in 1984.

From watching Ralph Macchio, Hilary Swank, Jaden Smith, Xolo Maridueña, and now Ben Wang, many characters have featured in this epic film series. With this being the fifth film following the Netflix TV series Cobra Kai, many generations have enjoyed The Karate Kid series, and it continues its lasting legacy for the next.

However, Jonathan Entwistle’s Karate Kid: Legends film features elements from all five films and offers a new modern-day approach to the series.

The Saga Continued

Karate Kid: Legends is not just another film; it’s a cultural homage. The film reunites beloved characters like Daniel LaRusso, the original karate kid, and Mr Han, played by Jackie Chan in the new film, from two different worlds in the Karate Kid saga. It also introduces new karate students who carry on the same core themes of honour and perseverance that made the original story so impactful.

The film balances nostalgia with innovation as it references key moments such as Mr. Miyagi’s wisdom and Mr Han’s mentorship. It also uses these moments to enrich modern storytelling that resonates with older audiences whilst satisfying long-time fans.

Ben Wang As Li Fong

Audiences loved the original Karate Kid films in the 1980s because kids could see themselves in Daniel’s struggles, like with bullying and self-doubt. Decades later, Cobra Kai re-contextualised the narrative through the lens of Johnny Lawrence, who was once the villain of the story and ended up as the anti-hero. This reflects on themes of redemption, generational trauma and shifting moral perspectives.

Moreover, Karate Kid: Legends pushes the story forward again, offering new characters who reflect today’s world, specifically through diversity.

“This helps the audience to understand the cultural roots in martial arts, and enriches the story by telling it from the perspective of a young Asian teenager, where he learns martial arts from his Chinese heritage.”

Ben Wang, who plays Li Fong, the main character in Karate Kid: Legends, takes on the role as the new karate student of the franchise. Wang mentioned on The One Show that he’s been learning martial arts since he was 8-years-old, inspired by watching The Karate Kid (2010). Critics enjoyed Wang’s performance with comments from Collider:

“Ben Wang is a great new lead for this series, not just for some stellar martial arts skills, but also for his almost effortless charisma and lovable personality.”

Overall Thoughts

The Karate Kid franchise succeeds as one of the most popular franchises in film and television. It’s not just about karate or rivalry, it’s about building your character, rising from challenges and passing wisdom from one generation to the next.

“This film reminds us that a good film franchise transcends generations and that some legends never fade away, they just evolve.”

The 2025 film pays homage to both The Karate Kid (1984) and The Karate Kid (2010), and it does a great job integrating Kung Fu and Miyagi-Do Karate. It was enjoyable getting to see Mr Han and LaRusso’s dynamic as senseis with acts of comedy and leadership, helping to train Li Fong for his karate tournament.

Despite this, the film could explore Daniel’s style of karate more, as the movie’s central focus was on Kung Fu. From watching the trailer, it seemed like there was going to be a balance of Cobra Kai storytelling and The Karate Kid, but it was more of a replica of the 2010 movie, as Jaden Smith moves to China from America, just as Li Fong moves to New York from China. Therefore making the film feel repetitive.

However, for fans of the 2010 movie, this is definitely an unmissable film. Although this film contained the same plot as the 2010 film, it took on a new approach by using an East-Asian protagonist for the first time in the film series. This helps the audience to understand the cultural roots in martial arts, and enriches the story by telling it from the perspective of a young Asian teenager, where he learns martial arts from his Chinese heritage.

“It’s not just about karate or rivalry, it’s about building your character, rising from challenges and passing wisdom from one generation to the next.”

Whether you’re revisiting the story or discovering it for the first time, Karate Kid: Legends offers something universal: the love for martial arts. This film reminds us that a good film franchise transcends generations and that some legends never fade away, they just evolve.

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Featured image courtesy of Matan Perlmuter on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image licence found here. 

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