The Social Diary attended the special screening of Karate Kid: Legends, which felt more like a reboot or a redux of a reboot, depending on how you look at it. As a stand alone feature Karate Kid: Legends works. But as a continuing saga in the Karate Kid franchise, not so much. Here’s our story.
As always, we have to thank our sponsor, American Express. As Platinum and Centurion members, we had the pleasure of attending many quality special events, including Premiers and screenings. The lead character actor, Ben Wang, aka Li Fong, introduced the film to the attending members.
Karate Kid: Legends Redux or Reboot?
The Karate Kid franchise has gone through several evolutions. The first three of The Karate Kid movies starred Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita. Robert Mark Kamen directed and John G. Avildsen wrote the screenplay for all three films.
The Next Karate Kid (1994) felt more of a spin off, and introduced Hillary Swank in the role, with new direction and writing. Pat Morita also starred, but no Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso. That film landed with a thud.
Sixteen years later in 2010, a reboot occurred with The Karate Kid starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan. The storyline completely changed, with new characters introduced. In the 2010 version, There is a cultural swap from Detroit to Beijing. In Karate Kid: Legends, there is another cultural swap from Beijing to New York. Jackie Chan as Mr. Han connected in both films, without mentioning the 2010 version. Moreover, Mr. Han evolved to become a “funny guy” compared to the curmudgeon and serious character he portrayed in the 2010 version.
In Karate Kid: Legends, Ralph Macchio connects this film to the “franchise,” otherwise, it is a completely different film altogether. Furthermore, Macchio doesn’t make an appearance on screen until almost one hour later or 55 minutes, to be more exact.
TikTok Generation
This film made for the TikTok generation, with a short attention span, doesn’t have a developed character arc, even for the lead character, Li Fong (Ben Wang). Perhaps that was intentional. The film introduces a slew of one dimensional characters with no dynamic relationships built over the course of the movie. Even in the original, The Karate Kid, the audience experienced the relationship between Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi. Additional supporting characters also enhanced the film and the franchise of the first three of The Karate Kid movies.
Whilst the young actors including Ben Wang and Sadie Stanely who plays Mia Lipani, exhibit acting chops, there was very little play with a dud of a script and under developed direction. The action sequences were also jagged and jarring at the same time, to develop whiplash. Camera angles moved so quickly, it was difficult to see some of the finer details of the choreography.
This film was not an homage to Mr Miyagi (Pat Morita) nor faithful to the franchise. In other words, the Karate Kid: Legends movie is a hot mess.
Miyagi and Han reimagined
The Karate Kid: Legends tries to bridge the old master Mr. Miyagi with the new master Mr. Han. Done through voice over, most likely using AI technology to generate Pat Morita’s (Mr. Miyagi) speaking voice.
Mr Miyagi finally resurrected in a scene from The Karate Kid II to explain the Miyagi and Han “two cultures, two martial arts, and two branches” of the same tree connection. The Karate Kid: Legends movie flashes “Okinawa, Japan 1986” onscreen. Except in The Karate Kid II, the year is 1984, not 1986. The trip to Okinawa took place six months after the All- Valley Karate Tournament which took place in 1984, with The Karate Kid II film, however, released in 1986. Therefore, in keeping with the timeline of the story and for continuity sake, The Karate Kid: Legends should have flashed “Okinawa, Japan 1984.”
Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) also presents Li Fong (Ben Wang) with a Karate headband with the tree with two distinct branches. Fong wears it for the Five Boroughs Tournament against his nemesis and resident “baddie” Connor Day (Aramis Knight).
The Karate Kid: Legends opens in theatres on Friday, May 30, 2025.