“Karate Kid Legends” (2025) – A Disappointing Return to the Franchise
As a longtime fan of The Karate Kid franchise—including the classic films, the 2010 remake with Jaden Smith, and the hit series Cobra Kai—I had high hopes for Karate Kid Legends (2025). Unfortunately, this latest installment left me underwhelmed. While I won’t go so far as to call it a terrible movie, I found it painfully average and lacking in the emotional depth and character-driven storytelling that made previous entries so memorable.
Directed by Jonathan Entwistle, Karate Kid Legends stars Ben Wang as Li Fong, a teenager who moves from China to New York City with his mother, played by Ming-Na Wen. Despite the opportunity to explore cultural and emotional transitions, the film merely grazes the surface of Li’s journey. We never get a strong sense of the challenges he faces in adapting to a new country, forming new relationships, or even navigating the complex dynamic with his mother. Their relationship feels underdeveloped, missing a chance to ground the story in real emotional stakes.
Li eventually meets Mia, played by Sadie Stanley (The Goldbergs), a classmate who introduces him to her father, Victor (portrayed by Joshua Jackson), a former boxer with a troubled past. Jackson’s character is easily the most compelling part of the film. Struggling with debt from a dangerous loan shark and seeking redemption through martial arts, Victor’s story had genuine emotional pull—something sorely lacking in the rest of the movie.
The film sets up a loose narrative of Victor training Li in martial arts, but the training sequences feel rushed and uninspired. The stakes never feel high enough, and the story lacks a clear antagonist or central conflict to drive the narrative forward. Unlike previous Karate Kid movies where we were invested in the protagonist’s growth and challenge—think Daniel LaRusso facing Johnny Lawrence or Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) confronting bullying and cultural clash—Karate Kid Legends struggles to define its own identity.
Another major issue is the lack of a clear central character. At times, it’s unclear whether this is Li’s story, Victor’s redemption arc, or a setup for a larger Karate Kid universe. The storytelling is scattered, and the pacing is slow. I mentally checked out within the first 15 minutes, hoping for something more engaging to kick in. Sadly, it never did.
There were so many opportunities to explore deeper themes—immigration, identity, intergenerational conflict, and resilience—but instead, the film delivers a flat, predictable plot with underwritten characters and minimal tension. The cultural transition from China to America could have added rich texture to Li’s experience, but instead, it’s brushed over with generic dialogue and uninspired scenes.
Visually, the film is fine. The fight choreography is passable, and the cinematography does its job. But there’s no standout moment or memorable set piece that elevates this movie beyond background noise.
Final Verdict
Karate Kid Legends had the potential to be a meaningful next chapter in a beloved franchise, but it ends up being a bland and forgettable entry. While some audiences may enjoy it as casual entertainment, fans expecting the heart and grit of previous Karate Kid stories may walk away disappointed—just as I did. The most interesting part of the film, Victor’s storyline, feels like it belongs in a better movie.
Unless you’re a die-hard fan of the franchise or looking for something light to pass the time, Karate Kid Legends may not be worth the watch. Here’s hoping the next installment in the franchise finds its focus—and its fighting spirit.
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