NOSTALGIA AND NEW BLOOD

Heart Of Hollywood Team
Jul 10
3 min read

‘Karate Kid: Legends’ Is a Fresh Chapter of a Classic Franchise With Enduring Power

By Gilda Baum-Lappe and Sandy Rodriguez

At the end of May, the wait was over for American fans of the Karate Kid franchise. After debuting roughly a month earlier in Mexico, where the series enjoys immense popularity, Karate Kid Legends finally arrived in U.S. theaters, bringing with it a wave of nostalgia and excitement.

The film’s journey began with a spectacular red carpet event in Mexico. Attendees were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime event that set the tone for the movie’s release in other countries.

Longtime Golden Globes voter Gilda Baum-Lappe and Heart of Hollywood Magazine editor Sandy Rodriguez attended an advance screening of the film in Los Angeles. Sandy is a devoted Cobra Kai enthusiast, so much so that she’s a supporter of the upcoming fan documentary Kai Hards, set for release in 2026. (Fans can follow its progress on Instagram at @kaihards.) She was especially excited because of the movie’s connection to the beloved TV series, even if the action has now shifted from the San Fernando Valley in California to New York City.

Karate Kid Legends stars Ben Wang as Li Fong, a martial arts prodigy who moves to New York with his mom after a family tragedy. The story follows Li as faces numerous challenges and ultimately enters a competition. His journey is guided by Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), who enlists the help of the original Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio). The teachers help the boy combine kung fu and karate. The chemistry between Wang, Chan, and Macchio was a highlight for many viewers.

Gilda especially enjoyed the film’s nostalgic nods to the original saga. Although this is a short movie, with a runtime of 94 minutes, both Heart Of Hollywood Magazine critics enjoyed that this kept the plot fast-paced and focused. They believe that audiences might be tiring of bloated, overly-long movies. While they would have liked to see more scenes with Macchio, they realize that he might have more of a presence in future installments. In any case, they were excited to see the passing of the torch to a young talent.

Music lovers will appreciate the film’s eclectic soundtrack, available on Spotify. The playlist features an impressive mix of artists, ranging from Rod Stewart and LCD Soundsystem to Nas, adding another layer of excitement for fans.

This fresh take on a familiar, beloved story is a worthy addition to the franchise. It delivers enough heart, humor, action, and entertainment value to satisfy longtime followers and also newcomers. Catch it on streaming soon!