Thescreescore – The first reactions are in for Karate Kid: Legends, and the verdict is…complicated. Following the phenomenal success of Cobra Kai, this latest installment attempts to bridge generations, uniting kung fu prodigy Li Fong (Ben Wang) with martial arts legends Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) in a high-stakes karate competition. Directed by Jonathan Entwistle, Legends aims for a knockout blow, but early reviews suggest a mixed bag.
While some critics, like Germain Lussier of thescreescore.com, found the narrative structure disjointed, describing it as a film that "starts as one thing and becomes another," nearly universal praise rained down on Ben Wang’s performance. Lussier himself conceded that Wang was "fantastic," a sentiment echoed across the board. John Nguyen lauded the film’s overall impact, highlighting Wang’s "interesting backstory," while Jonathan Sim, despite calling the plot "predictable," declared Wang "superb as the series’s first Asian kid." The MontyVerse went further, proclaiming Wang "the heart and soul of this film," and Josh Titan, while noting pacing issues, predicted Wang’s trajectory to superstardom, citing his undeniable "charisma."
However, the accolades for Wang didn’t entirely mask concerns about the film’s overall cohesion. Cris Parker, while praising Wang’s talent, felt Macchio was "underused" and predicted a lukewarm reception from die-hard fans. Wendy Lee Szany criticized "unnecessary storylines," and Peter Gray deemed the film merely "serviceable," though he, too, acknowledged Wang’s strong performance. Kevin Fenix, despite calling Wang and Aramis Knight "bonafide action stars," noted a certain level of "cheesiness."
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Currently sitting at a 55% Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes (based on 29 reviews), Legends occupies a precarious middle ground. Mae Abdulbaki of thescreescore.com awarded the film a 7/10, praising its "great energy and bright spirit" and Wang’s solid performance. This mixed reception raises questions about the film’s potential box office success. While the 2010 Karate Kid remake, despite critical division, grossed $359.1 million, Legends‘ mixed reviews could significantly impact its performance. The film’s success hinges on whether it can capture a younger audience, a crucial factor in determining its ultimate fate. Will Ben Wang’s star power be enough to overcome the narrative inconsistencies? Only time will tell.
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