It’s certainly been a year for franchises, and the latest addition, Karate Kid: Legends hits theaters this Friday. Though far from the first continuation in the franchise, Legends brings back Daniel LaRusso, the original karate kid (played by Ralph Macchio), and puts him in the shoes of his beloved mentor Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita).
Legends follows Li Fong (Ben Wang), a kung fu prodigy who relocates to New York City, where he attracts unwanted attention from a local karate champion. He then embarks on a journey to enter the ultimate karate competition with the help of Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) and Daniel LaRusso.
Though reactions are mixed, the thread that runs throughout is how fun this film is, and how great Wang is, with one user saying that he is “the heart and soul of the film.” And, like many sequels that aren’t quite remakes, it follows a similar formula as the original, making it familiar for fans and even those who may not have seen it. It is a perfect family film, especially if you grew up with the endless pop culture references.
Karate Kid: Legends has the spirit of the 80s, but set in a modern world. And, most importantly, it has love. Let’s check out some of the early reactions below.
About Karate Kid: Legends
Remember what you’re fighting for.
Karate Kid: Legends kicks its way into theaters on May 30.