Karatê Kid: Lendas

I am not really the biggest Karate Kid fan, I have seen Cobra Kai and the first one but thats it. But watching the promotions and trailers I was kinda hyped for it cause I had not really seen a good one except Cobra Kai and the first one. Watching Karate Kid: Legends was kind of a mistake, It was pretty dissapointing.

To start off I liked the choreograph and the action. I liked the new karate kid he was not annoying but genuinally fine. It felt more as a nostalgic, fan-service type of movie which I definently expected. It could have been a great Karate Kid movie, but it just was not executed well. The characters were wasted and the writing was messy and all over the place. There are more issues but my and your attention span is lower than a goldfish so I aint writing it.

In conclusion: I give it a 6.0/10 could have been better...

This movie delivers a good dose of nostalgia while attempting to carve out its own path, though not always successfully. The characters, both new and returning, are undeniably charming. It's genuinely a pleasure to see familiar faces back in action.

The action sequences are surprisingly well-executed, boasting a decently done style that feels both modern and respectful of the franchise's roots.

Where the film stumbles is in its plot. While the main story unfolds exactly as you'd anticipate from a Karate Kid movie, a huge, wholly new subplot arrives almost entirely out of nowhere. This unexpected diversion nearly derails the movie, feeling jarringly out of place. On one hand, it's refreshing to see such a predictable franchise attempt something genuinely different. However, its resolution is incredibly abrupt, as if the filmmakers suddenly remembered they had to get back to the main plot, leaving the intriguing new elements feeling underdeveloped and rushed.

This rushed feeling extends to the film's overall pacing. At only 90 minutes, Karate Kid Legends is far too short. With so many new characters to introduce and returning characters to give their due, the movie feels like it's racing through its narrative. This is heavily emphasized by the sheer number of montages, which, while efficient, contribute to the sense of a story being told in fast-forward. The last 30 minutes in particular feel like a mad dash to a conclusion you've seen coming since the opening scene.

Ultimately, Karate Kid Legends possesses a nice and charming soul, a warmth that harks back to the original films. However, this inherent charm isn't followed through on almost any aspect. The film hints at deeper emotional beats and intriguing new directions but consistently pulls back, leaving you wishing it had committed more fully to its own potential. It's an enjoyable watch for fans, but one that leaves you wanting more substance beneath its familiar surface.

Unlike some other reviews, I appreciated that it honored the same clichés of this franchise: moves to a new city, meets a girl, run into trouble with girl's ex, fight it out in tournament. For what this movie offered, I really wish the movie was a bit longer for more character and plot developments without feeling so rushed and choppy. It felt like 2 separate movies compacted into one short movie of only 1.5 hours. Especially the entire second half which felt like a montage throughout to the end. One thing I did not appreciate was the animations with big fonts and vivid colors. It seemed like they were targeting more younger audiences to join the Karate Kid fandom which is fine, but the animations were just too much and felt over-done. Really wish they used Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio better throughout the entire movie. It was a little disappointing to get so little of them in the movie. Did love getting Joshua Jackson though. The final scene before rolling into the end credits was extremely appreciated. Ultimately, the movie was a fun watch and overall enjoyable thanks to the awesome choreographies. The movie was good but it could've been great. If they continue to expand this franchise, which I hope they do, I hope they will put the actors to better use for better storytelling than trying so hard to appeal to a younger audience.

Listen, this film has it's flaws. But it does not deserve the hate it's getting right now. Is it the best karate kid movie I have watched NO. BUT it's not the worst either. People are saying this film is HEAVILY flawed. What? Did I just watch the same movie as other people YES. This film is good, just good, it has a very similar story but changed a few things which I liked not ALL of them but yeah. Yes I know they back half is rushed but we know the main character is gonna fight the villain at the end so why spend time for the climax when we know what's gonna happen?

Conclusion: Cinematography - 8 Acting - 6.5 Story - 6 Action - 10 Pacing - 6

That's my thoughts of Karate Kid : Legends.

Karate Kid: Legends might be the only movie with such a rushed pacing that i still end up recommending, i completely understand why some people might not enjoy it, the pacing really is all over the place, and the story editing moves way too fast, but despite that, Ben Wang, Sadie Stanley, and the rest of the cast brought enough charm and authenticity to their characters that i found myself liking them in a surprisingly short amount of time.

And yes i was desperate with the movie when they trying to get Daniel finally on the screen, but when the time comes, it's a great relief, also lifted by the spark Jackie Chan brought to the film, his portrayal felt like another version of Mr. Han, not quite the same one who trained Jaden Smith in the 2010 Karate Kid remake, but still recognizably Jackie, wise, quirky, and effortlessly entertaining.

Ralph Macchio return as Daniel was brief, but enjoyable enough, there's a fun, short-lived chemistry between him and Jackie Chan, and that alone made parts of the movie worth watching, if only the film had taken a bit more time to develop its story and give these likeable characters more room to breathe, it could've been something really special.

The fighting sequences and choreography are exciting, charismatic, energetic, and fun, there are some genuinely funny moments too, and a fun surprise at the end that left me smiling.

Yes, it's incredibly rushed, and especially after watching the whole saga of Cobra Kai, what a weird timeline and little visit Daniel had during this whole movie, but in the end, i had fun, and maybe even more on a rewatch.