KSL Movie Show review: ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ stays true to its roots

May 29, 2025, 10:32 AM

The newest installation of the Karate Kid franchise is out in theaters.

Host, KSL Movie Show

Editor’s note: This is an editorial piece. An editorial, like a news article, is based on fact but also shares opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not associated with our newsroom.

It’s not easy to take a 40-year-old franchise and give it a fresh, new look. In that regard, this latest Karate Kid movie fails to create anything unique, no twists or turns, since once you hear the plot, you’ll be like, wait isn’t that just like all the rest?

But where this differs is in the new characters and locations, especially the lead Li Fong (played by Ben Wang) who is that energetic, athletic breath of fresh air this film definitely needed and the dazzle of New York City doesn’t hurt.

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Li has been training in Beijing with the legendary shifu Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), but Li’s mother, Dr. Fong (Ming-Na Wen) has accepted a job at a New York City hospital and off they go to new surroundings.

Her one rule for Li – no fighting. You’ll understand her reasoning once you hear the story of Li’s older brother’s tragic passing. Even though Li has grown proficient in Kung Fu, he accepts his mother’s challenge and agrees to stay out of trouble.

But as always in these movies, trouble finds him, in the form of a local Karate champion Connor Day, a bully ex-boyfriend of Mia Lipani (Sadie Stanley) whose father (Joshua Jackson) owns the nearby pizza parlor in Li’s neighborhood.

To add to the drama, Mia’s father Victor owes money to a thug creditor, who just happens to own the local dojo where Connor trains. Victor comes up with the dumb idea to have Li train him, so he can go back in the boxing ring, where he once was a professional, to come up with the money he owes the cranky moneylender.

Gee, I wonder how that’s gonna go?

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And of course, eventually Li has had enough of Connor’s abuses and with the help of Mr. Han, who flies in from China, and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) from Los Angeles, he is trained in a mixture of both fighting styles “like two branches from the same tree.”

Like I said – nothing new here, right?

Well, here’s what the film DOES do well.

It has more than a healthy respect for what brought them this far – namely a wonderful montage of Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita – who passed away in 2005), along with some other traditions from the franchise that showed a nice reverence for what came before.

I’m really trying to cut this movie as much slack as possible, because I too have a great appreciation for what’s transpired and I think you’ll be just as kind in realizing that even though no new ground is broken, a friendly, entertaining reminder of what once was, is the very thing you needed all along.

KARATE KID: LEGENDS (B-) Rated PG-13 for martial arts violence and some language. Starring Ben Wang, Jackie Chan, Sadie Stanley, Joshua Jackson, Ming-Na Wen and Ralph Macchio. Directed by Jonathan Entwistle (best known for TV Series “I Am Not Okay with This” and “Vanity Fair”) – filmed in Montreal and New York City. Running time: 94 minutes.

The KSL Movie Show with Andy Farnsworth and Steve Salles airs Fridays on KSL NewsRadio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow the show on Facebook, and join The KSL Movie Show Club for exclusive perks by texting MOVIE to 57500. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Message frequency varies.

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KSL Movie Show review: ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ stays true to its roots

Editor’s note: This is an editorial piece. An editorial, like a news article, is based on fact but also shares opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not associated with our newsroom.

Related: KSL Movie Show review: How does ‘Lilo & Stitch’ measure up to the original?

More from KSL Movie Show: Movie Show Review: Juliet & Romeo is a bold expression of a beloved story

The KSL Movie Show with Andy Farnsworth and Steve Salles airs Fridays on KSL NewsRadio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow the show on Facebook, and join The KSL Movie Show Club for exclusive perks by texting MOVIE to 57500. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Message frequency varies.

We want to hear from you.

KSL Movie Show

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