Karate Kid: Legends – Budget of $45 million – 1 hour and 34 minutes
| Blu-rayTM | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 Exclusive |
| Digital | |||
 |
 |
 |
 |
Li practices Kung Fu in a dojo owned and operated by his uncle, Shifu Han. A student runs in and warns Han that the director, his niece Dr. Fong, is there. Han tells the student to stall Dr. Fong while her son, Li, hides. She doesn’t want Li to learn Kung Fu after losing his brother. She got a job in New York. She and Li will move there and start a new life. Han urges Dr. Fong to let Li continue his training, but she refuses. Li runs after her to convince her to let him stay in China, but she won’t budge. She makes Li vow to never fight again.
After Dr. Fong and Li move into their New York apartment, Li leaves to find dinner and toilet paper. He walks to Victor’s Pizza and orders a stuffed crust. Victor tells Li to find a strip mall. However, Victor’s daughter, Mia, offers a softer approach. Li exits with a pepperoni pizza and directions to the nearest bodega.
After school, Li walks home and sees Mia arguing with a vendor. She spills some items, and he helps her gather them. Li admits his first day was complex. They cross paths with a Kung Fu dojo, and Li freezes and stares into the storefront window. Li sighs and tells Mia that Kung Fu was a part of his past. The owner, O’Shea, reminds Mia that Victor owes him money. Mia warns Li to stay away from that dojo. Li follows Mia to an auto parts shop, and the seller won’t lower the price of a used auto part. Li speaks to the woman in Mandarin and obtains a price reduction. He tells Mia that she could gain more by learning the language. So they make an exchange. He will teach her Mandarin if she shows him around New York.
During their first lesson, Li and Mia take the train. They bump into Mia’s ex-boyfriend, Conor. He sucker-punches Li as Mia disembarks the train. She warns Li not to strike back. Conor is the reigning Karate champion and trains at O’Shea’s dojo. Conor will defend his championship in the 5 Burroughs Tournament. Although the relationship is over for Mia, Conor can’t let go.
Later, Li sees three men harassing Victor, and Li fights them off. Victor, a former boxing champion, asks Li to teach him Kung Fu. A fight is coming up, and O’Shea’s thugs will be in attendance. If Victor beats them, he will earn enough money to pay O’Shea. Li agrees and prepares Victor. The fight starts well, but O’Shea’s fighter throws a dirty punch, landing Victor in the hospital. Li can’t bear to see Victor or Mia because he’s ashamed. He falls into a deep sadness.
Han learns about Li’s suffering, so Han travels to New York. He encourages Li to enter the tournament and win the prize money for Victor. However, the competition focuses on Karate, not Kung Fu. Han remembers his friend, Mr. Miyagi’s most inspiring student. To help Li, Han must find Daniel and persuade him to train Li in seven days. Can Li win the competition and add another branch to Miyagi’s tree?
The film opens with Mr. Miyagi teaching Daniel the history of Karate (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). It’s a recap of Mr. Miyagi’s importance to the franchise. Then, it catapults the audience to present-day Beijing. Viewers can infer that Dr. Fong has an issue with the art form but don’t know why until later. This fear is why Li made his oath to stop fighting. The script feels like it’s dragging as it builds Victor’s battle. However, it is giving Li time to bond with the family while relieving him of his oath. The fight scenes are nearly perfect and include training techniques from the original films. The violence may be too much for younger viewers, but the graphics and commentary give the audience a video game feel. The script handles humor with emotional topics with ease while teaching important life lessons about perseverance, respect, and strength. The film has English subtitles, so you may need to read them aloud to younger viewers. And there aren’t credit scenes, but the final scene has an exciting cameo. This film will revitalize the franchise.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
Someone around here has to be – Mia
1st rule of Kung Fu is that everything is Kung Fu – Li
Don’t do that. You knew I was coming – Daniel
Miyagi’s Dough-Jo: Olives on, Olives off – Spoiler
You deal with it, or it will deal with you – Victor
You practice violence, you get violence – Dr. Fong
In life, you only have one question: is it worth fighting for or not? – Han
| Blu-rayTM | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Exclusive |
| Digital | |||
|
|
|
|
thatdarngirlmovie.reviews 