So, let’s xertz to a consideration: Karate Kid: Legends is the second reboot, in a sense, of a renowned IP with mainstream legends and an affinity to do something with great conviviality in allowing the newcomer, the youngster, to showcase their abilities on the screen while backed by the primary draws. Where in the Spider-Man: Homecoming have we heard that before?
The inquisition presented is almost humorous because at one point in the film, one of the characters acknowledges the newcomer from Beijing, Li Fong (Ben Wang), as the “Peter Parker” of the neighborhood. Yes, Mr. Li Fong has a kung fu background under his belt, thanks to the grand teachings of Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), who returned from his role in the 2010 remake. But, it’s not glorious for the youngster, as his mother is taking the monotonous approach: the same one you’ve seen in the 1984 original and 2010 remake, of bringing her son to a new city where he becomes bullied by a strong and formidable martial arts expert before entering the respective tournament to prove himself by facing said bully. Rinse, repeat, and move on to the next reboot in another ten years.
Maybe we’ll get the holy trinity of Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, and the late Pat Morita (through CGI, respectfully) in another film (or series akin to the recent and thoroughly entertaining Cobra Kai), with involvement from Donnie Yen (notable for his work in Ip Man) and Keanu Reeves (John Wick) to make it an Avengers: Infinity War-like film.
All right, let’s push the boffolas aside. There is more to it than “just” another run-of-the-mill redux for arguably the most popular martial arts series to grace the screen. You see, the sixth installment of the film series takes a subversive approach this time by having Li train an older man named Victor Lipani (Joshua Jackson), a once-professional boxer, to put back on his gloves so he can make a comeback to pay off his debt to the bully’s father and run his pizza restaurant successfully with his daughter Mia (Sadie Stanley), whom becomes Li’s love interest. Indubitably, the film’s first half is relatively potent, as it abstains from the Karate Kid formula (mostly) to bring a sense of tenderness while enhancing the characters’ chemistry and fun. Wang shows great charisma throughout the runtime, and a sparkling relationship with Jackson and Stanley keeps things vivacious. Heck, even the traumatic event haunting Wang’s character gives him great pathos that coincides neatly, as it also unsettles his mother and why she is discouraged from allowing him to continue fighting back home or in their “new home.”
However, once the second half kicks in, it haphazardly becomes a frenetically jarring setpiece that almost resembles a Karate Kid: Legends Part 2 baked in. All the wondrous subversion provided in the first half becomes tonally disconnected, as the feature plows forward at breakneck speed with rapid-fire montages, splicing in the character work you don’t fully appreciate, nor the choreography prevalent onscreen. For all the talk about “two branches, one tree,” it ironically strikes as if two movies are bashing themselves at each other with fists and kicks flying galore. What happened to Mr. Miyagi’s preaching in the 1989 threequel, “Just like bonsai choose own way grow because root strong you choose own way do karate same reason”? Additionally, the primary antagonist here, Conor (Aramis Knight), is about as forgettable as The Next Karate Kid‘s existence. As a side note, no spoilers intended, the film also makes no mention of Jaden Smith’s Dre Parker and steers clear of any Cobra Kai developments for any hardcore fans wondering (outside of one surprise in the film’s final moments).
The critical aspect that hurts the most is the second half is when Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso (Macchio) unite together to teach young Li about how to meld his kung fu training with Miyagi-do Karate. Sure, this is more of a Creed imitation (which is a good thing!) than a Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Still, somehow the “legends” this time (unintentionally) taint the setpiece due to a hampering shift from one incredible story to a wearisome one. You’re hoping both would have a substance-filled chat about the eerily similar ways their pasts echo, but it is never touched on in the slightest. (In a twisted way, it’s almost as downbeat as when Dwayne Johnson showed up in WWE earlier this year to tangle in the most shocking heel turn for WWE’s coveted Superman, John Cena, and then ran off into the Hollywood void and vitiated the biggest angle in years by no-showing for WrestleMania or months since this milestone for the company.)
Now, in no way, shape, or form is this necessarily diluting the welcoming presence of Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, who bring together a nary sense of fun and aren’t enacting any “savior” tropes to take away from Li’s tale. But, in practicality, whoever in the production department thought that mandating a propulsive pace with an abuse of uptempo music, comic-book style effects, and an exorbitant number of cuts for the action and story for these guys to dance onscreen must have their balance checked. The pace should’ve slowed to allow the punches and inherent sentiments to hit harder. As Miyagi said it best himself, “Better learn balance. Balance is key. Balance good, karate good. Everything good. Balance bad, better pack up, go home. Understand?”
Speaking of the late Pat Morita, much like the Cobra Kai series, the film starts with a neat callback to his home dojo from the Part 2 sequel in 1986, with a lovely bit of animation connecting him to Han, and once Han meets Daniel in Los Angeles. This template should’ve been the benchmark for the film’s second half and our protagonists’ understanding of the “two branches, one tree” saying: a respectful pace that garners the correct beats, and leaps off them to make a dramatic bit of art.
Karate Kid: Legends, while admittedly fun thanks to an outstanding performance by Ben Wang and the one-two punches of nostalgia courtesy of Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, misses with the crane kick to take it to undeniable victory.
(P.S. Let’s see if an announcement does come to fruition for Karate Kid 7.)
