Just a few months after Cobra Kai ended, the Karate Kid “universe” is back with a new movie. Karate Kid: Legends hit theaters today and I had a chance to see the film! While I love the original Karate Kid, I don’t think there has been a single good Karate Kid sequel and I have the unpopular opinion that The Next Karate Kid is probably the most enjoyable movie in this franchise outside of that original, but maybe on a ‘so bad it’s good’ level than being legitimately great. But of course, I love Cobra Kai. My reviews of some of the season of Cobra Kai are some of my most popular episodes I’ve ever published, but I did get quite a lot of flack for my disappointments with the final season. I always found it so odd how quickly after Cobra Kai we were already seeing Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso again, epically because of how perfect that final scene between him and Johnny was. Also, this franchise has just beaten the Karate Kid formula to death by this point. Does Karate Kid: Legends stand as the best film in the franchise since the original, and is it a worthy follow up to Cobra Kai? Find out in this review!

Karate Kid: Legends:

Directed by: Jonathan Entwistle

Written by: Rob Lieber

Based on characters created by: Robert Mark Kamen

Produced by: Karen Rosenfelt

Executive Producers: Jenny Hinkey, Ralph Macchio

Music by: Dominic Lewis

Edited by: Dana E. Glauberman, Colby Parker Jr.

Production Design by: Jon Billington, Maya Sigel

Costume Design by: Mirren Gordon-Crozier

Cast: Ben Wang, Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, Ming-Na Wen

Synopsis: After a family tragedy, kung fu prodigy Li Fong is uprooted from his home in Beijing and forced to move to New York City with his mother. When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition – but his skills alone aren’t enough. Li’s kung fu teacher Mr. Han enlists original Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso for help, and Li learns a new way to fight, merging their two styles into one for the ultimate martial arts showdown.