‘Karate Kid: Legends’ Review from Hollywood: Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio Return in a Disappointing New Chapter
Flickbites 
The sixth installment of the Karate Kid franchise, ‘Karate Kid: Legends’, reunites iconic stars Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, aiming to revive the magic of the classic series. Set in the dynamic world of martial arts competition, the film seeks to balance nostalgia with new energy but ultimately doesn’t meet expectations.
Plot Overview
The story centers on a young kung fu prodigy, portrayed by Ben Wang, who enters a high-stakes tournament to assist a new friend in navigating the martial arts world. Joshua Jackson adds depth to the supporting cast, while Chan and Macchio reprise their beloved roles to bridge past and present narratives.
Performances and Characters
Jackie Chan returns as the wise mentor, and Ralph Macchio reprises his role as Daniel LaRusso, bringing authenticity and heritage to the film. Despite their strong presence, the storyline suffers, impacting the emotional engagement with the characters.
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Strengths: Impressive martial arts choreography and nostalgic elements for longtime fans.
- Weaknesses: Messy and uninspired execution, pacing and coherence issues, underdeveloped character arcs, and an overly complicated plot attempting to address too many themes.
Overall Impression
While ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ offers excitement through its martial arts sequences and features beloved characters returning to the screen, it is let down by a disjointed narrative and missed opportunities for deeper storytelling. Fans may enjoy the callbacks and character appearances, but newcomers could find the film lacking in energy and clarity.
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