Recommendations of the Editorial team
With the latest “Rocky” films, but also with the movies of the learned TV director JJ Abrams (“Star Trek Into Darkness” “,” Star Wars: The Force Awakens “), the Rebrush in the Hollywood cinema has established itself: The continuation of a successful film series was not with new stories, but a variation of the elderly. And with great success.
The formula of “Karate Kid” lives on
This also happens at “Karate Kid” (whose cinema success still has to be shown). A boy (in the original Daniel La Russo – in “Legends” Li Fong) from a foreign culture (Newark – Beijing) moves to a new city (Los Angeles – New York) and falls in love with a girl (Ally – Mia), for which he gets Dresche from their ex (Johnny Lawrence – Conor Day). The boy still wants the girl. And trains for a tournament to clarify a kind of Mike Barnes from the 3D printer of the most unscrupulous fighter, officially and visible to everyone.
The classic struggle for honor, love and self -assertion
The “Karate Kid: Legends”, which was written by Jonathan, is not preserved. But it is precisely this ancient “Karate Kid” formula, this “From Zero To Hero” among teenagers, established in 1984 by John G. Avildsen and with the original Kid Ralph Macchio in the leading role, triggers the right “Hell Yes” feelings. What can you do: you want to see underdogs, you want you to get the girl – and you want her to polish the visa to the bully, if necessary.
Bullying and racism in everyday life
Li Fong (Ben Wang) has no choice but to fight from day one. He is lovingly referred to by the father of his new US friend as the “Chinese Peter Parker” because he is quite good in the diving carate and can treat a few fabric lens who want to collect money from the old. His school bully Conor Day (Aramis Knight) only calls him “Beijing!”, And even if “Karate Kid: Legends” does not tell an immigrant immigrant (Li’s mother is a doctor, he is taking a generation z room), as racism is very specific. The American’s subliminal fear of China. The New York Conor is the champion of the “5 Boroughs”, but when a person from the country of origin of the sport he loves comes to his city, he gets nervous. “There is no back, Beijing!” Says Conor. “I will not go anywhere,” replies the Chinese Li. The American will take that seriously. China remains. Conor feels threatened by LIS origin in his dominance.
Li later trains his hardest kung fu jump, the “dragon flight”, on an unusual device: the turnstile at the entrance to the subway station, one of the brands of New York. A nice misuse and homage to a foreign culture. In Martin Scorseses “After Hours”, the most beautiful New York film, Griffin Dunne jumped across the cross (later picked up in Michael Jackson’s “Bad” from Scorsese). Li whirls through underneath.
Communication philosophy as a central story
But why actually Kung-Fu when the film is called “Karate Kid: Legends”? The publication of a movie with this name and this line -up was not necessarily to be expected. “Legends” was announced in 2022, with the confirmed stars Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan (in the role as Lis coach Mr. Han), both of whom played in “Karate Kid” strips, but now for the first time a so-called “shared universe” population. Then, however, the “Karate Kid” streaming series “Cobra Kai” developed into an increasing success. And without having mentioned the name “Karate Kid” in six seasons once.
Karate and Kung-Fu: A daring fusion
After broadcasting the final season this year, a feature film seemed obvious. From Netflix Produced and occupied with the complete “Cobra Kai” cast. Only Ralph Macchio can be seen here, who realized the project for Sony Pictures and is now supposed to teach a Chinese Kung Fu fighter in a quick run. Yes, the attempt to merge Kung-Fu and Karate for “Karate Kid: Legends” seems a bit forced. Especially since in the end rather takes on his mother’s Johnny Lawrence Council (Ming-NA WE) to defeat Conor in the ring: If nothing helps, then no Miyagi defensive, but hit it.
Daniel La Russo’s “record appearance”
Ralph Macchios new mentor Daniel La Russo may break the record of the longest cameoos in cinema history in this story: 40 minutes of fan service. Because what distinguishes a camoo also distinguishes La Russo in this role: an appearance that you should just be happy about without realizing that you have not learned anything about your life in this 40 minutes. His life after “Cobra Kai”. Because you want to find out about that. Maybe that will be held back-for a “Cobra Kai” film by Netflix?
William Zabka returns
Speaking of Johnny Lawrence. It is not a spoiler to announce him here. He is listed in the film credits as “Special Guest Star”. “Cobra Kai” described Johnny’s history of salvation, not that of “Karat Kid” Daniel. Producer Ralph Macchio also recognized this after two seasons. And let the screenwriters allow him to continue writing it on the edge. This waiver includes size. In “Legends” Johnny actor William Zabka receives a appearance at the end, with which he secures the final sp over. Of course at the expense of Miyagi-Do.