Karate Kid: Legends (2025) Movie ft. Ben and Jackie

Karate Kid: Legends marks the sixth installment in the iconic martial arts franchise, bringing together two beloved universes for an action-packed family adventure. Directed by Jonathan Entwistle, this 2025 release stars Jackie Chan reprising his role as Mr. Han from the 2010 reboot, alongside Ralph Macchio returning as Daniel LaRusso from the original trilogy.

Plot and Storyline

The narrative follows Li Fong, a kung fu prodigy who moves from Beijing to New York City with his mother after a family tragedy. The backstory reveals that Li’s brother was killed by opponents after winning a tournament, leaving Li traumatized and reluctant to fight.

In New York, Li befriends Mia Lipani and her father Victor, who owns a local pizzeria. The peaceful new life is disrupted when Li attracts unwanted attention from Connor Day, a local karate champion and Mia’s ex-boyfriend. Driven by a desire to defend himself and help his new friends, Li embarks on a journey to enter the ultimate karate competition.

He receives guidance from both his kung fu teacher Mr. Han and the legendary Daniel LaRusso, learning to merge their unique fighting styles. The plot follows the classic Karate Kid formula but introduces the intriguing element that Li is already skilled enough at kung fu to defend against multiple opponents.

Cast Performance

Ben Wang delivers a standout performance as Li Fong, carrying the emotional weight of the film with natural charisma. Wang has matured into a star who exudes charm and confidence, leading the film with emotional gravitas. Critics have praised his ability to balance vulnerability with martial arts prowess.

Jackie Chan returns as Mr. Han with his trademark blend of wisdom and physical comedy. At 70 years old, Chan proves he still has impressive martial arts skills. His chemistry with both Wang and Macchio creates some of the film’s most engaging moments.

Ralph Macchio reprises his iconic role as Daniel LaRusso, marking his first involvement in a Karate Kid film since 1989. The playful chemistry between Chan and Macchio, whose characters occasionally clash over techniques, provides both humor and heart.

Joshua Jackson brings depth to Victor Lipani, Mia’s father and former boxer. A notable subplot involves Victor asking Li to train him for a comeback, flipping the mentor-mentee dynamic in a humorous way.

Direction and Technical Aspects

Jonathan Entwistle’s direction maintains the franchise’s feel-good tone while incorporating modern filmmaking techniques. The film features fast pacing, great visuals, and great music, delivering an overall fun movie experience.

The fight choreography successfully blends kung fu and karate styles. Critics praised the fun choreography that blends kung fu and karate and the moving story that weaves the old and the new. Ben Wang performed most of his own stunts in the final fight sequence, adding authenticity to the action scenes.

However, the film’s runtime of 94 minutes leaves little time for character development, with critics noting it’s so fast-paced that it doesn’t allow enough time for important character development.

Critical Reception and Ratings

Karate Kid: Legends received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, 57% of 166 critics’ reviews are positive, with the consensus noting that while the film leans heavily on nostalgic appeal, it still lands some crowd-pleasing strikes.

Metacritic assigned the film a score of 51 out of 100 based on 36 critics, indicating mixed reviews. However, audiences were more generous, with CinemaScore giving the film an average grade of A- on an A+ to F scale.

The Popcornmeter for Rotten Tomatoes earned an 88% score from registered users, marking the highest total in the movie franchise’s history.

I found the film to be exactly what fans would expect from a modern Karate Kid movie. The nostalgic elements work well, and Ben Wang brings fresh energy to the franchise. While the story follows familiar beats, the execution feels sincere rather than cynical.

Box Office Performance

As of June 12, 2025, Karate Kid: Legends has grossed $38.4 million in the United States and Canada, and $38.6 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $77 million. The film opened with $21 million, finishing third at the domestic box office.

What Works and What Could Be Better

Strengths:

• Ben Wang’s Performance brings genuine charisma and emotional depth to Li Fong
• Action Choreography blends kung fu and karate creating visually exciting fight sequences
• Nostalgia Factor with the return of Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio provides genuine joy
• Cultural Representation thoughtfully explores immigrant experiences
• Family-Friendly Entertainment maintains the franchise’s wholesome appeal

Areas for Improvement:

• Predictable Plot follows classic combination of clichés with an obvious storyline
• Pacing Issues doesn’t allow enough time for character development
• Limited Screen Time for Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio
• Formulaic Structure recycles the same story structure from previous entries

Conclusion

Karate Kid: Legends successfully bridges different eras of the franchise while introducing a compelling new protagonist. While it may not break new ground narratively, it makes for a winning entry in the franchise with fun choreography and a moving story.

Ben Wang’s charismatic performance and the nostalgic return of beloved characters make this a satisfying experience for both longtime fans and newcomers. The film serves its purpose as crowd-pleasing entertainment that honors the franchise’s legacy while setting up potential future installments.

For families seeking an uplifting martial arts adventure with heart, Karate Kid: Legends delivers exactly what its title promises , a continuation of the beloved legacy with fresh energy and cultural depth. I’d recommend it to franchise fans and anyone looking for a feel-good family film with solid action sequences.