Rated PG-13

KARATE KID LEGENDS follows the previous films’ template: a teenager moves to a new city with his mother and attracts the attention of some neighborhood bullies. Eventually has to fight in a martial arts contest to prove himself.

The greatest strength of this film is when it pushes the same buttons from the original. It does lay the bullying on a bit thick, but that works for the pulpy build of the secondary characters. Overall, this makes for a, breezy underdog story.

The film tries some new angles, like the kid teaching kung fu to an aging boxer, played by Joshua Jackson doing his best George Clooney impression. These elements make the film crowded – and you might find yourself checking your watch until Ralph Macchio shows up. However, they help this not be just a cheap retread.

Not as iconic as the original, it’s still an entertaining way to capitalize on the success of COBRA KAI.

KARATE KID LEGENDS gets three and a half wax ons out of five. I’m Kevin Carr, and that’s the way I see it.

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