Karate Kids: Legends is the perfect choice for children during the holidays. It captures the nostalgic magic their parents once felt when watching the original films on VHS tapes back in the ‘80s. The movie unites two martial arts icons — Jackie Chan, synonymous with Kung Fu, and Ralph Macchio, the original Karate Kid.

The best part? It starts with an inspiring moment that hints at a connection between Mr Miyagi and Mr Han, Chan’s character from the 2010 reboot. Chan is the uncle of the protagonist Li Fong’s mother and knows Daniel-Sen.

Li Fong, played by Ben Wang, relocates from Beijing to New York after his mother (Ming-Na Wen) gets a job in the US. Like many Karate Kid heroes, he once practiced kung fu, but an accident forced him to give it up. In New York, he quickly bonds with Mia (Sadie Stanley) and her father Victor (Joshua Jackson), and that leads him back to kung fu.

When Fong clashes with local karate champion Connor Day, he decides to enter the Five Boroughs martial arts tournament to help Victor and reclaim his pride. Despite his mother’s worries, Mr Han stands by him. As the stakes rise, Mr. Han travels to Los Angeles to recruit Master Daniel (Ralph Macchio) to help prepare Fong for the make-or-break battle ahead.

At times, Ben Wang evokes memories of a young Jackie Chan — reminiscent of Chan’s early Hong Kong films that blended acrobatics with humour during the Karate Kid era. With Han and Daniel LaRusso as trainers, life was not easy for Li.

Best known for his work on the Power Rangers series, director Jonathan Entwistle brings his unique style to this new chapter in the Karate Kid legacy. In a brisk 94 minutes, the movie delivers exactly what fans expect from a fusion of kung fu and karate: energy, action and heart.

Karate Kid: Legends is ultimately a spirited crowd-pleaser for franchise fans while teaching important life lessons. The movie beautifully shows that true bravery isn’t about never feeling scared — it’s about standing up and facing your fears, even when you’re afraid. It reminds us that fear is natural, but courage means pushing forward anyway.

Alongside the action and excitement, the story teaches essential values like the power of hard work and the importance of making thoughtful, responsible choices. Unlike the old days of our parents, we get to experience it on the big screen while it’s still playing in theatres.

Published in Dawn, Young World, June 21st, 2025