Few franchises hold as enduring a place in pop culture as The Karate Kid. What began in 1984 as a heartfelt underdog story has evolved into a multi-generational saga of mentorship, redemption, and martial arts mastery. Now, Karate Kid: Legends takes the narrative to new heights—literally and figuratively—by merging kung fu with karate, East with West, and old legends with new blood. Directed by Jonathan Entwistle and featuring a standout cast led by Ben Wang, the film not only honors its predecessors but reinvents the franchise for a new era. Here’s an in-depth look at this latest installment and what it means for the Miyagi-verse moving forward.
At the heart of Karate Kid: Legends is a familiar formula: a young outsider learning to stand tall through martial arts. But this time, the twist lies in the cultural fusion. Li Fong (played by Ben Wang) is a Chinese teenager trained in kung fu, recently transplanted to New York from China. Unlike Daniel LaRusso’s struggles in Reseda or Dre Parker’s journey in Beijing, Li must navigate the complexities of urban America while carrying the grief of losing his older brother, and the challenge of adapting to a new style of combat.
Li’s arrival in the States isn’t smooth. He befriends Mia (Sadie Stanley), whose ex-boyfriend Conor (Aramis Knight) is not only the reigning Brooklyn karate champion but also a hostile presence who quickly marks Li as a rival. The tension escalates, culminating in Li’s entry into the highly competitive Five Boroughs Tournament—a modern update to the All Valley Tournament of the original films. This time, the stakes are higher than a trophy: Li is fighting to help Mia’s father, Victor (Joshua Jackson), pay off a dangerous debt to a local loan shark.
One of the most compelling aspects of Legends is the unprecedented collaboration between Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), two iconic senseis from different generations and film continuities. When Li realizes that kung fu alone won’t help him defeat a skilled karate opponent like Conor, Mr. Han travels to Southern California to seek assistance from Daniel.
This moment is more than a plot device—it’s a symbolic bridge between the 2010 Karate Kid reboot and the original series. Mr. Han, a stoic and deeply philosophical kung fu master, and Daniel, the once-hotheaded student turned wise mentor, come together to blend their teaching philosophies. They embody the central theme of the film: adaptation through collaboration. While kung fu emphasizes fluidity and inner peace, karate in this film represents discipline, strategy, and power. Together, they form a training regimen that prepares Li for his biggest challenge yet.
Gone are the gymnasium mats and referees of yesteryear. The Five Boroughs Tournament is as much a spectacle as it is a martial arts proving ground. Director Jonathan Entwistle leans into a gritty, urban aesthetic: each match takes place at a different real-world street location throughout New York City, turning the tournament into a tour of the city’s most dynamic and challenging backdrops.
The final showdown, however, elevates the stakes—literally—to the top of a skyscraper. It’s there, at sunset, that Li faces off against Conor in a no-holds-barred final battle. Entwistle describes the scene as his “Lord of the Rings moment,” where the hero reaches the symbolic peak of his journey. Bathed in warm hues of twilight and battered by gusts of wind, the two fighters engage in a 12-minute martial arts duel that is as cinematic as it is emotionally resonant.
In a clever nod to the franchise’s tradition of climactic kicks—the Crane Kick, the Tornado Kick—Legends introduces the Dragon Kick, an acrobatic move taught to Li by his late brother. In an early encounter with Conor, Li attempts the kick, only for the seasoned karate champ to counter it easily. It’s a painful lesson, and one that reinforces Li’s need to grow beyond brute force and flashy moves.
When the moment of truth arrives in the final bout, Li fakes the Dragon Kick again—but this time, it’s a trap. As Conor anticipates the same counter, Li ducks beneath it and delivers a crushing blow. The crowd erupts. The underdog has triumphed not just with strength, but with strategy, growth, and respect for multiple fighting philosophies.
Li’s victory doesn’t catapult him to fame or fortune—instead, we find him grounded in humility, working at Victor’s pizza shop. It’s a quiet moment that reflects the core values of the Karate Kid series: discipline, humility, and loyalty. But the story doesn’t end there.
In a brilliant piece of franchise synergy, the movie cuts to Daniel LaRusso’s Southern California dojo as he receives a surprise pizza delivery. Inside the box is a thank-you note from Li, a heartfelt gesture that shows the bond formed between student and teacher.
The camera pans to reveal Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) hanging out with Daniel—fans of Netflix’s Cobra Kai will instantly recognize this odd-couple dynamic. Johnny, never one to pass up a joke, immediately pitches the idea of a karate-themed pizza restaurant: Miyagi-Dough. The puns flow fast and furious:
- “Pepperoni’s the best defense.”
- “Slice first, slice hard, no anchovies.”
- “Olives on, olives off.”
This comedic interlude doesn’t just serve as a fun Easter egg—it suggests a continuity between the old and new stories, a shared universe now fully realized.
While Karate Kid: Legends is rich in action and franchise callbacks, its most compelling narrative thread is the tension between tradition and innovation. Li’s journey is one of merging worlds: Chinese kung fu and American karate, past pain and present growth, vengeance and discipline.
Director Entwistle deliberately avoids what he calls the “tournament trap”—the idea that every Karate Kid story must end with a single, clean victory. Instead, he uses the tournament as a launching point for a deeper exploration of character. Li doesn’t just win a fight; he earns a place in a community, honors his brother’s memory, and carves out a hybrid identity that’s all his own.
With Legends, the Karate Kid franchise is no longer a series of isolated stories. Instead, it has become a fully interconnected universe—a Miyagi-verse—where characters, philosophies, and locations cross over organically. This integration is handled with care, respect, and a welcome sense of humor.
The inclusion of Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio in meaningful mentor roles adds legitimacy to Li’s story. Meanwhile, the surprise return of Johnny Lawrence hints that the Netflix Cobra Kai series isn’t over yet. In fact, it might evolve alongside future film installments, possibly setting up cross-medium storytelling that includes streaming, cinema, and even animation.
Ben Wang’s Li Fong is a worthy heir to the Karate Kid legacy: complex, earnest, and capable of carrying the torch into new territory. Whether or not his story continues in another film or series, Legends marks a successful passing of the mantle. It respects the past but dares to explore what martial arts and mentorship look like in today’s world.
Karate Kid: Legends manages to do what few reboots or spin-offs can: balance reverence for the original material with a bold new direction. It is both a continuation and a rebirth, one that invites new fans while rewarding longtime followers.
The skyscraper duel, the Dragon Kick reversal, the multi-style training, and the pizza-laced epilogue all work to reinforce a central truth of the franchise: that true strength lies in character, not combat. With its stunning visuals, emotional depth, and layered performances, Legends delivers a satisfying chapter that leaves us eager for more.
If this film is any indication, the future of the Miyagi-verse is in good hands—and maybe a few good slices of pizza too.
