Movie Review: Karate Kid: Legends

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A common explanation for why many movie sequels mirror their originals is that producers are wary of experimenting with something novel due to the potential financial risk. They fear that introducing a fresh concept might disappoint fans of the original, who may bristle at significant changes to a beloved storyline from four decades past. The narrative structure of “Karate Kid: Legends,” for instance, bears a striking resemblance to the original Karate Kid (1984), its sequel (1986), and even the third installment (1989).

In this film, we follow the journey of Li Fong, portrayed by Ben Wang, who learns Karate under the guidance of a wise sensei. He encounters a menacing bully, also versed in Karate, causing him much distress. The love interest, Mia Lipani, played by Sadie Stanley, enters the scene, and Li Fong finds himself smitten with her, despite her previous relationship with the bully. This romantic entanglement adds tension and eventually leads to a climactic fight. The narrative structure is reminiscent of the classic Karate Kid series.

What sets this movie apart is that Li Fong takes on an additional challenge: training Mia’s father, Victor Lipani, played by Joshua Jackson. Victor owes money to some unsavory characters and decides to participate in a mixed martial arts tournament to earn the necessary funds. This subplot feels underdeveloped and appears more like a means to pad the movie’s runtime than a crucial aspect of the storyline.

The narrative begins in Hong Kong, as Li Fong finds himself relocating to America due to his mother’s concerns over the ongoing violence, which tragically took the life of her eldest son.

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2025-05-31 12:49