KARATE KID: LEGENDS. Two branches, one tree [REVIEW]

We know the formula all too well. A young boy moves with his single mother to a new town. There, he meets a charming girl and instantly hits it off with her. However, her ex-boyfriend — a jealous and particularly aggressive thug — doesn’t take kindly to this and repeatedly beats up our protagonist. To get revenge on his tormentor and win the heart of his beloved, the hero decides to learn martial arts and then win a tournament in which his freshly minted nemesis is also competing. Karate Kid: Legends doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. It is simultaneously a sequel, a legacy sequel, a reboot, and a remake, following the exact same narrative beats as John G. Avildsen’s cult classic from 1984 and its popcorn-style remake starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, filmed 26 years later. Ironically, Jonathan Entwistle’s film is at its freshest and lightest when it directly references the past, cleverly weaving together visions from the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The film begins unexpectedly — with a scene from The Karate Kid Part II. Sensei Miyagi takes Daniel LaRusso to Japan, where he shows him his original family dojo. Daniel’s attention is caught by the photos on the walls.

Miyagi explains that they depict his ancestors, including one who, after drinking too much sake, fell asleep in a boat while fishing and woke up off the coast of China, returning years later with a wife and basic knowledge of Chinese martial arts. This humorous introduction serves two purposes: to give a (highly simplified) explanation of kung fu’s historical influence on karate (“two branches, one tree”), and to build a bridge between the original Karate Kid and its remake made over two decades later.

It’s enough to mention that during his stay in China, Mr. Miyagi’s ancestor met Mr. Han’s ancestor, and everything begins to come together logically — centered, of course, around yet another teenager in need of a crash course in self-defense: a certain Li Fong (played by Ben Wang). The best thing Legends has to offer is, without a doubt, the chemistry between the characters. Ben Wang forms a fantastic, incredibly funny duo with Jackie Chan, returning to his role after 15 years. It’s refreshing to finally see someone in the role of Mr.

Han’s student who has natural charisma and acting talent — not just a famous surname and two celebrity parents. About halfway through the film, the duo becomes a trio when LaRusso — portrayed by Ralph Macchio — is hastily flown in from Los Angeles to teach the protagonist Miyagi-style karate. The witty montage sequences, in which LaRusso and Han test Fong in various ways, while also joking around and teasing each other, are not just the heart of the film — they’re practically the reason it exists. Both Macchio and Chan clearly have an immense, genuine joy in returning to these iconic roles — and after just a few shared scenes, that joy becomes infectious, leaving the audience in good spirits until the very end.

Even the film’s most serious flaw — its sloppy narrative — isn’t enough to bring down those good vibes. At a certain point, Legends devolves into a storm of montage sequences, leaving no room for well-written and acted scenes. Much of the second act is pure chaos: events tick by too quickly, too many subplots are introduced and then abandoned, and the film feels as though it’s been brutally cut in the editing room — as if a solid 30 minutes were removed from an original two-hour runtime just to squeeze in one more multiplex screening over the weekend. Things finally get back on track when the climactic tournament appears on the horizon, although even here Legends falls a bit short of its predecessors — offering a flashy, TikTok-style montage before the final battle instead of full-blooded, suspenseful fight sequences.

A sign of the times. Still, Legends is worth seeing. If you’re around 40 and a fan of the earlier Karate Kid films or the Cobra Kai series, go for Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan. If you’re 15 and haven’t seen any of the previous entries, go for the excellent Ben Wang (Born in the U.S.A.), who once again proves his acting chops and is quickly becoming a rising star in Asian-American Hollywood.

“Two branches, one tree,” as Mr. Miyagi would say. Despite all its flaws, Legends lives up to that enigmatic phrase — serving as a bridge between generations and satisfying audiences that seemingly have nothing in common.