After feeling somewhat let down by previous entries in the Karate Kid franchise, I’m relieved that there’s a promising shift with the forthcoming film, Karate Kid: Legends. The original 1984 film features Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, who is trained by the iconic Mr. Miyagi. Oddly, despite his prominence in three films, I never found LaRusso to be an impressive fighter. Although he won numerous matches, his fighting skills never captured my admiration.
Additionally, the franchise’s other protagonists, Julia Pierce and Dre Parker, also fell short in combat effectiveness. Given that the series centers heavily on martial arts, it was disappointing to witness such a lack of genuine fighting prowess. However, this trend seems set to change with the introduction of Li Fong in Karate Kid: Legends, who is poised to break the mold as a truly skilled martial artist.
Li Fong in Karate Kid: Legends Appears to Be a Talented Fighter
Trailers of Karate Kid: Legends Reveal Exceptional Fight Scenes
The original Karate Kid film is widely cherished, yet I have consistently found its fight choreography wanting. This lack of dynamism rendered characters like Daniel, Julia, and Dre as less convincing fighters, ultimately detracting from the essence of the series. Thankfully, the upcoming Karate Kid: Legends promises to introduce a refreshing dynamic by showcasing Li Fong’s talents.
The sneak peeks of Karate Kid: Legends strongly indicate that Li Fong is a fighter of exceptional skill. The initial trailer focused on the iconic characters played by Macchio and Chan, while the latest clips prominently feature Li Fong—who will be a proficient kung fu practitioner training under the guidance of Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Han. One thrilling moment in the trailer shows him performing an impressive kick while evading a pursuer, suggesting he’s more than just a typical protagonist.
Past “Karate Kids” Have Not Been Convincing Fighters
Li Fong May Be the Best “Karate Kid”Yet
While one might assume that leads in the Karate Kid films would display skilled fighting techniques, previous protagonists did not deliver. According to the trailers for Karate Kid: Legends, Li Fong stands out as the first lead character who genuinely appears capable of excelling in combat. Although several fights, like the iconic showdown between Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence, are memorable, the actual execution left much to be desired.
Even the 2010 reboot failed to impress regarding fight choreography. Watching characters deliver signature crane kicks is exhilarating; however, the fights deserve more depth than this one iconic move. Sadly, adequate fight choreography has not been a strength of the franchise, yet one can hope for a turnaround with Karate Kid: Legends.
Ben Wang: An Ideal Choice for the New Character
Ben Wang Brings a Martial Arts Heritage
Besides the promising choreography seen in the trailers, it’s gratifying to learn that Ben Wang, who portrays Li Fong, possesses a solid martial arts background. His proficiency spans various disciplines, including karate, kenpo, kung fu, kumdo, and taekwondo—whereas none of the former protagonists had such an extensive martial arts foundation, perhaps explaining the lack of potent fight scenes in earlier films.
|
Karate Kid Movies |
RT Critics Score |
|---|---|
|
The Karate Kid (1984) |
89% |
|
The Karate Kid Part II (1986) |
45% |
|
The Karate Kid Part III (1989) |
15% |
|
The Next Karate Kid (1994) |
7% |
|
The Karate Kid (2010) |
67% |
|
Karate Kid: Legends (2025) |
n/a |
This is not to undermine the performances of Macchio, Hilary Swank, and Jaden Smith, who were all commendable in their roles, especially considering their ages. Yet, it will be refreshing to observe a protagonist with considerable martial arts experience in Karate Kid: Legends. I am optimistic that the fight sequences in this film will redefine excellence within the Karate Kid franchise.