Karate Kid Legends Film Review: Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio bring the fun, but nostalgia can only kick so far

Karate Kid 2

‘Karate Kid: Legends’ is a film that has all the ingredients for a solid addition to the franchise, but somehow, it never quite delivers the knockout punch.

What keeps it afloat, though, is the return of Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio — both veterans whose presence adds a certain spark and familiarity.

A promising return that falls short

Jackie Chan reprises his role as Mr. Han from the 2010 reboot, while Macchio steps back into the shoes of the iconic Daniel LaRusso.

Their scenes together, though limited, bring some much-needed energy and nostalgia to the film. This is the sixth installment in a series that began in 1984 and has since earned cult status. This time, the story leans heavily on themes of mentorship, friendship, and cultural fusion — East meets West — and while these threads are interesting, they’re not always woven together seamlessly.

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A familiar journey in a new city

The story follows Li Fong (Ben Wang), a teenage kung fu prodigy from Beijing who trains under Mr. Han (Jackie Chan). After a family tragedy, Li and his mother (Ming-Na Wen) move to New York in search of a fresh start. But settling into a new life is anything but easy.

He’s out of place at school, emotionally distant, and clearly still grieving. Things start to change when he befriends Mia (Sadie Stanley), a bright and outgoing girl who helps her father, Victor (Joshua Jackson), run a struggling pizza shop. Despite having vowed never to fight again, Li steps in to defend a friend from a local gang, drawing the attention of an underground fight circuit. He's roped into a tournament, and although reluctant, he enters — not for glory, but to protect those he now cares about. Mr. Han, seeing the stakes rise, turns to an old friend, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), to help train the boy.

Cliches resurface, but the energy kicks in

Sure, the setup is familiar. A new kid in town, a girl, a bully, and a tournament — it’s all been done before, and the film doesn’t pretend otherwise. But to its credit, the pacing is tight enough to gloss over most of the clichés. The second half is where things pick up, thanks largely to the training sequences with Chan and Macchio. These moments are where the film finds its footing. Watching Li Fong evolve — not just as a fighter but as a person — gives the story some genuine heart. The film also manages to weave in a message about self-discovery and emotional resilience without being overly preachy. The climax, where Li must decide whether to fight on despite an injury, hits the right emotional beats.

Strong lead, uneven supporting cast

Ben Wang is one of the film’s big strengths. He plays Li with a kind of quiet intensity that feels real, and his martial arts skills are solid. He’s easy to root for. Jackie Chan brings his usual charm and wisdom, though you can sense he’s working with a script that doesn’t give him much depth. Macchio, even with limited screen time, makes a welcome impact. Unfortunately, Ming-Na Wen as Li’s mother feels more like a narrative obstacle than a real character — her role doesn’t quite land and occasionally stalls the story.

Safe and predictable

‘Karate Kid: Legends’ doesn’t bring much new to the table and in parts feels like a retread of the 2010 film. You can tell the filmmakers are trying to please long-time fans, but in doing so, they play it far too safe. There are no surprises here, no bold creative swings — just a reheated version of a story we’ve seen before. Still, if you’re a die-hard fan or just in the mood for a comfort watch with a few nostalgic highs, it might just do the trick. This film had the potential to be bold and thrilling, but the makers chose the safer road instead. This is strictly an okay film, and any kind of expectation will only lead to disappointment. ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ is a film that’s brimming with potential but somehow does not manage to soar to the heights its predecessors had done in the previous films.

Cast: Jackie Chan, Ben Wang, Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, and Ralph Macchio

Director: Jonathan Entwistle

Rating: 3/5

(‘Karate Kid: Legends’ is running in theatres)