Title: Karate Kid: LegendsDirector: Jonathan EntwistleCast: Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, Ben Wang, Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, Aramis KnightWhere: In theatres near youRating: 3 starsIn this film, nostalgia and martial arts meet for a tentative handshake before awkwardly bowing to each other, much like the film's leads—Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio—who are reunited not because the story demands it, but because the franchise can’t resist tugging its aging apron strings. This sixth instalment in the venerable (and increasingly volatile) Karate Kid franchise attempts to balance the spirit of Miyagi-do with the caffeine rush of contemporary action. It mostly ends up with one leg in Beijing, one in Brooklyn, and a sprained narrative groin somewhere in between.Our new hero, Li Fong (Ben Wang), is a likable enough lad—modest, limber, and just angry enough to warrant a tournament. Wang brings an earnest charm that cuts through the smog of clichés like a well-aimed roundhouse. His chemistry with Sadie Stanley’s Mia simmers politely but never boils; more lukewarm broth than fiery ramen. Still, Wang’s performance anchors the film, even when the script lurches like an old Vespa up a Chinatown alley.The premise is a familiar dish reheated with soy sauce and mozzarella. Kung fu prodigy moves to New York, promises his mother (Ming-Na Wen, regrettably underused) to give up fighting, only to end up in an underground karate tournament to save a pizzeria. Cue rooftop training montages at a makeshift gym, which is a terrace garden with homing pigeons—this strangely offers no emotional resonance in the narrative.Joshua Jackson as Victor Lipani, the ex-boxer/pizza patriarch, is a surprising delight, delivering meatball gravitas while taking tips and training from his teenage employee. His storyline adds crusty charm but remains strictly gluten-free in narrative nutrition. Aramis Knight’s Connor, the angsty dojo bully with a chip on both shoulders, snarls on cue but never escapes the shadow of franchise foes past. He’s more caricature than character, reduced to a plot device with fists.Jackie Chan, as Mr. Han, phones it in with the grace of a legend who knows this isn’t his final act—nor his finest. Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso arrives midway through like a special seasoning blend sprinkled to perk up a bland stew. The two legends share scenes that carry the faint whiff of franchise reverence but feel more contractual than cathartic.The action, thankfully, redeems much. Fight sequences are crisply choreographed, leaning into the kinetic legacy of kung fu cinema while tiptoeing around PG-13 constraints. The final tournament, absurdly staged on a rooftop (because of symbolism), delivers a well-earned payoff, even if the outcome is less a surprise than a syllabus requirement.Yet for all its clumsy plotting, cartoonish villains, and heavy-handed editing, Karate Kid: Legends is not without heart. It’s an amiable if absurd tribute to its lineage, packed with enough callbacks to keep fans mildly caffeinated. Think of it as cinematic comfort food: overcooked, overstuffed, but strangely satisfying if you grew up on crane kicks and Cobra Kai.Overall, the film doesn’t elevate the franchise—it simply reheats it. But sometimes, nostalgia doesn’t need innovation; it just throws a punch and reminds you why you cared.