The plot: After moving to New York City with his mother, kung fu prodigy Li Fong struggles to let go of the past as he tries to fit in with his new classmates. When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition — but his skills alone aren’t enough. With help from Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso, he soon learns to merge two styles into one for the ultimate martial arts showdown.
Karate Kid: Legends was pretty good.
Pros: I appreciate this movie more since after watching cobra kai. Ben Wang was fine as the lead of this instalment. I like the exchangers between Han, Daniel & Li. It nailed the karate fight choreography, and I enjoyed Li & Mia romance.
Cons: The first storyline was the weirdest but also wasted a lot of time for the main plot to come later. There’s plenty of editing & pacing problems. How they got through the tournament felt rushed and Connor Day wasn’t slopped developed as a main threat or his karate dojo.
Genre: Action,Drama
Directed by Jonathan Entwistle
Produced by Karen Rosenfelt
Screenplay by Rob Lieber
Based on The Karate Kid
by Robert Mark Kamen
Starring: Jackie Chan; Ralph Macchio; Ben Wang; Joshua Jackson; Sadie Stanley % Ming-Na Wen.
Edited by Dana E. Glauberman
Cinematography: Justin Brown
Music by Dominic Lewis
Production companies: Columbia Pictures, Sunswept Entertainment
Distributed by Sony Pictures
Cast:
- Jackie Chan as Mr. Han, a revered shifu of a wuguan in Beijing
- Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, the Miyagi-do karate sensei
- Ben Wang as Li Fong, a young Chinese boy mentored by Mr. Han
- Joshua Jackson as Victor Lipani, Mia’s father
- Sadie Stanley as Mia Lipani, Victor’s daughter
- Ming-Na Wen as Dr. Fong, Li’s mother
- Aramis Knight as Connor Day, a karate prodigy and Li’s rival
- Wyatt Oleff as Alan, Li’s tutor and friend
- Shaunette Renée Wilson as Ms. Morgan, Li’s schoolteacher in New York
Additionally, Jennifer-Lyn Christie has been cast in an undisclosed role. William Zabka reprises his role as Johnny Lawrence from previous media in the franchise.
I recommend watching this in cinemas.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 Stars
Ryan Balkwill:
Resident film reviewer,
Level Best Art Cafe