Have you ever started over in a new place and felt that the skills you were proud of suddenly counted for less? Karate Kid: Legends builds its story on that feeling.

Released in 2025 and directed by Jonathan Entwistle, the film brings Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio together for the first time in the series. It is a quick, friendly martial arts story with strong training scenes, though it does not always give its best ideas enough room.

A Young Student Faces New Challenges

Ben Wang plays Li Fong, a teenager who moves from Beijing to New York with his mother. Adjusting to a new school and unfamiliar surroundings proves difficult. He already has kung fu training, yet he soon finds that it cannot prepare him for every situation.

His problems grow after a confrontation with Conor, a talented local karate champion. Determined to stand up for himself, Li decides to enter the Five Boroughs Tournament. Wang is the film's best surprise. He is funny, quick on his feet, and easy to root for, and he makes Li's doubts feel real without slowing the story.

One of the freshest ideas comes early. Before anyone trains Li, he coaches Victor, a pizza shop owner and former boxer played by Joshua Jackson, for a return to the ring. The student-as-teacher twist is charming, and Jackson gives it warmth. It also takes up a large part of a short film.

Jackie Chan as a Dedicated Mentor

Jackie Chan returns as Mr. Han, the kung fu teacher he first played in the 2010 film. Han taught Li in Beijing and travels to New York to help him prepare. Chan's mix of energetic action and physical comedy brings warmth to the character, making the training scenes entertaining while keeping their lessons clear.

Mr. Han teaches Li that effective martial arts depends on more than strength. Balance, timing, concentration, and discipline matter just as much. Chan is in his seventies now and does less of the fighting himself, but his timing in the comic moments is as sharp as ever.

Learning From Different Teachers

Ralph Macchio returns as Daniel LaRusso, the hero of the original 1984 film and the series Cobra Kai. His karate complements Mr. Han's kung fu, giving Li two different perspectives to learn from.

The teachers have their own methods, and the best scenes show them disagreeing politely while Li gets thrown around between them. Instead of treating their differences as obstacles, the story presents them as parts of one tradition. The film's motto, "two branches, one tree," sums it up.

Here lies the film's main weakness. Macchio arrives late in the story, so the partnership promised on the poster gets little screen time. Fans of the earlier films may wish the two mentors had more scenes together.

Practice Builds Confidence

Li's training takes place across New York, turning rooftops and ordinary streets into places to practice. His improvement does not happen overnight. It develops through repeated exercises, mistakes, and the determination to try again.

At first, Li lets frustration affect his decisions. Gradually, he learns to pause, observe, and respond with greater control. The fight choreography is clean and easy to follow, and the camera holds long enough to show each movement properly instead of hiding it in quick cuts.

The Competition Tests His Progress

As the tournament approaches, Li must apply his training under pressure. The matches deliver exciting martial arts action while testing his timing, awareness, and focus. The challenge is not simply about defeating an opponent. Li has to use what he knows without letting fear or frustration take over.

The film runs only about 94 minutes, and the final act shows it. Much of the tournament passes in a fast montage, so the early rounds carry little tension. The last match against Conor is well staged, but the ending arrives so quickly that the victory lands a little softer than it should.

Final Thoughts

Karate Kid: Legends combines martial arts, humor, and mentorship in a light, fast story that is easy to enjoy. It follows the series formula closely and offers few surprises, yet Ben Wang's lead performance and Jackie Chan's comic touch carry it.

It is worth watching for families and for anyone who grew up with the earlier films. Viewers hoping for a deeper story or a long Chan and Macchio team-up may leave wanting more.