Movie review
May 8, 2025 · 94 min · PG-13
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
The film sticks to the classic Karate Kid formula: a kung fu prodigy named Li moves from Beijing to New York, gets bullied, trains with Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso to blend styles, and enters a tournament. The story centers on grief, discipline, friendship, and fighting back—no political lectures or identity sermons. Casting uses an Asian lead for the Chinese character and a multicultural supporting cast that matches the NYC melting-pot premise, which Macchio called out positively at the premiere as deepening the franchise. One reviewer noted a tiny cultural store scene as mildly off, but overall it's described as straightforward family action with no agenda.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Karate Kid: Legends.
Woke representation / casting
Ben Wang as the Beijing kung fu kid fits the premise perfectly; Macchio publicly tied the multicultural cast and “melting pot” NYC story to deepening the legacy, though no swaps or quotas reported.
Woke political dialogue
No evidence in any plot summaries, reviews, or cast interviews.
Identity-driven story themes
Light immigrant adjustment and cultural style-blending appear as background to the core bullying/tournament arc.
Western institutional / cultural critique
No critiques; the narrative celebrates discipline, mentorship, and traditional martial arts values.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
No meaningful backlash claiming it pushes identity politics; Macchio’s mild diversity comments noted but generated zero debate.
Creator track record context
Director’s past teen dramas have some social/queer elements; no stronger pattern here.
Production
