Li, a young kung fu prodigy played by Ben Wang, moves to New York City where a confrontation with a local karate champion throws him into a culture clash of martial arts. With the help of his former master Mr. Han and veteran sensei Daniel LaRusso, Li must find his balance in life and combat.
Directed by Jonathan Entwistle and written by Rob Lieber, Karate Kid: Legends blends franchise nostalgia with contemporary coming-of-age drama. The New York locations are smartly used, grounding the film in a gritty, urban authenticity absent from recent franchise entries. It's a loose continuation of The Karate Kid (1984) and its sequels, also The Karate Kid (2010) and the television series Cobra Kai (2018-2025).
The first three quarters of the film treads new ground, with Lieber and Entwistle attempting to subvert expectations around relationships, mentorship, rivalry, and martial discipline. Jackie Chan brings warmth and quiet authority reprising his Mr. Han role, while Ralph Macchio steps easily back into Daniel LaRusso's shoes, adding depth and a few moments of genuine poignancy. Ben Wang makes an impressive lead debut, carrying both the action and dramatic weight.
Joshua Jackson adds presence, while Sadie Stanley and Ming-Na Wen effectively round out the cast. The cinematography by Justin Brown gives the film a polished, modern feel without losing the series' classic spirit, and Dominic Lewis's score pays respectful nods to Bill Conti's original themes while injecting fresh energy.
The final act, while fun and well-staged, plays out much as one might expect, but it's executed with sincerity. The icing on the cake is a humorous, self-aware cameo from William Zabka, delivering some of the film's sharpest laughs.
Overall, it's a worthy, heartfelt continuation elevated by strong performances, crisp direction, and a few smart narrative turns, even if its conclusion sticks closely to genre tradition.
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