Latest news with #RalphMacchio
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I Watched Karate Kid: Legends, And One Deep-Cut Character Detail Is Still Bothering Me
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Minor spoilers for Karate Kid: Legends lie ahead, so read on accordingly. The Karate Kid film series officially expands with a sixth installment that's subtitled Legends. Yet the Jonathan Entwistle-helmed 2025 movie release also melds the Miyagi-verse continuity with that of the 2010 film. As a result, Ralph Macchio's Daniel LaRusso returns as does Jackie Chan's Mr. Han to mentor a new karate student, Li Fong (Ben Wang). I had the opportunity to see the legacy sequel myself and, as a fan of the franchise, I'm not too high on it. However, there's one specific detail that's really bugging me. When fans last saw handyman Mr. Han at the end of 2010's The Karate Kid (which still receives love), he was celebrating with young Parker (Jaden Smith), as the latter emerged victorious at a kung fu tournament. The opening of Legends makes it clear that a lot has changed for Han since his last appearance. From the jump, it's established that Han is now a revered shifu who oversees multiple schools in Beijing. The character's status doesn't bug me on its own, but it's the lack of clarity regarding how he got there that's annoying. I found myself scratching my head over the fact that Legends doesn't make any kind of attempt to fill in the blanks when it comes to how Han became a legendary master throughout all of China. As mentioned, he was a handyman who was hesitant to take on just one student. Now, not only is he eager to take on new protégés – like his great nephew, Li Fong – but he's also overseeing a wide swath of kung fu trainees. There's not even any slight reference to his past as a maintenance man (and not any mention of Dre either). More on The Karate Kid I Rewatched The Karate Kid Part II, And I Wish One Thing Had Been Handled Differently Considering how far Han has come personally and professionally, I really would've appreciated, at the very least, a little bit of exposition to explain how his life shifted shortly after the events of the 2010 flick. I mean, did he and Dre participate in other tournaments, earning Han enough notoriety as a teacher to start a school? Or did he leverage his family's history with martial arts in some way? We, the viewers, are only left to assume and try to draw our own conclusions. My gripe may sound nitpicky but, when you've established a continuity, character backstory and other details should be taken into account. Then again, this is a film that has no problem bending what's come before, given how it ropes Han into the Miyagi-verse's mythology. Now that Jackie Chan's jovial character is back in the fold, it's hard not to wonder whether he might return. Considering his current status, there are certainly opportunities for him to pop up again. I wouldn't be surprised if Chan expressed openness to playing the character again at some point, too. After all, the iconic actor doesn't seem to have any plans to retire and, as he explained to CinemaBlend, he's still set on doing his own stunts even in his 70s. I would imagine, however, that such a reprisal would depend on Legends' performance at the box office. During its opening weekend, the film amassed a global cume of $47 million against a production budget of $45 million. That's respectable and, should it trend in the right direction, it could finish its theatrical run with a solid haul. Sony seems to be all in on this storied martial arts franchise, as potential spinoffs for the hit offshoot TV series, Cobra Kai (which is streamable with a Netflix subscription) are reportedly being considered. We can only speculate as to whether that good fortune from the small-screen side of the franchise will extend to the cinema. For now, fans can see Karate Kid: Legends in theaters and, if they feel like I do, they can hope that any potential sequel might provide clarity on Mr. Han's personal journey.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘I Was Screaming Constantly Every Day' I Had No Idea There Was So Much Drama Between Ralph Macchio, Cobra Kai And Karate Kid: Legends Before It Hit The Big Screen
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Spoilers for Karate Kid: Legends lie ahead, so read on at your own discretion. Karate Kid: Legends hit theaters amid the 2025 movie schedule weeks ago, and its release marks the end of a journey that began several years ago. Like other fans of the franchise, I was aware of that the film was announced in 2022 and of course, later learned that it would include both Ralph Macchio's Daniel LaRusso and Jackie Chan's Mr. Han. What I wasn't aware of, however, was just how much back-and-forth there was about the film's release date in relation to Cobra Kai. Macchio himself recently recalled that bit of drama. It was revealed relatively early on that Legends would take place sometime after the events of Cobra Kai, which was likewise delayed by the 2023 Hollywood strikes. (More recently, it's been specified that the film picks up three years after the show.) Ralph Macchio served as an executive producer on the movie, and he explained to THR that he wanted the flick to hit theaters after the aforementioned TV show finished its run. Given that the film was originally slated to hit theaters in 2024, Macchio spoke up and let the execs know his feelings: When [Karate Kid: Legends] was initially slated for a December 13, 2024 release, I was screaming constantly every day: 'This movie has to come out after [Cobra Kai] finishes.' And once marketing got together and realized that [the December '24 release] would not benefit either, they did the right thing [by delaying until May 2025]. Karate Kid: Legends is now coming at a time where I like to believe that Cobra Kai fans are thirsty for another chapter. More on Karate Kid: Legends I Thought Karate Kid: Legends Was Going To Be A Cash-Grab, But As A Fan, I Was Pleasantly Surprised Legends actually held onto a June 2024 release date before shifting to December of that year. The franchise's spinoff TV series (which is streamable with a Netflix subscription) ultimately ended in February 2025. Ralph Macchio's reasoning for wanting the film to release afterwards is that he didn't want fans to be confused about the Karate Kid timeline. The situation, as Macchio describes it, sounds somewhat tense and, while this is a major IP we're talking about, I never would've guessed the star and EP would've had to keep reiterating his feelings as he did. Ultimately, I'd say that the actor was definitely correct in advocating for a 2025 spot that came after the final episodes of Cobra Kai. It just makes sense logistically, as fans don't have to do any kind of homework to determine where the movie falls within the KK universe. Also, as the Outsiders star mentioned, it made sense from a character standpoint, considering where viewers find Daniel and even Johnny Lawrence (who appears in the post-credits scene): At the end of Cobra Kai, he lands in a very positive way. He and Johnny Lawrence are the best versions of themselves going forward. In Karate Kid: Legends, we find him being far more Miyagi in his sensibilities and his grounded wisdom. In Cobra Kai, it was designed that the more knee-jerk and up-in-Johnny's-face he was, the better it was to service Johnny Lawrence's redemption. So I'd be like, 'Okay, but when do we land in Miyagi-land?' That is where I thought LaRusso would end up with all his wisdom from his mentor, a very grounded mother, a good life, a good business and a good wife. And then we landed Daniel at that place. There are still finer details that I would've liked addressed in Karate Kid: Legends, though. I would've liked a legitimate mention of Jaden Smith's Dre Parker from the (still-loved) 2010 film. Also, I would've loved some deep-cut details regarding about Mr. Han, specifically how he went from handyman to revered sensei. Of course, those nitpicks are quite minor compared to the more important matter of ensuring that the release strategy aligned correctly with the timeline. If anything, Ralph Macchio's insistence is a true testament to his commitment to this franchise. He's been one of the driving forces behind it for years now, and he certainly deserves his flowers. It's yet to be confirmed if fans will see Macchio reprise his role as Daniel LaRusso in another film or TV show but, whatever the case, I hope he remains involved behind the scenes. For now, check him out in Karate Kid: Legends, which is playing in theaters.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Compared to the Original and ‘Cobra Kai,' Is ‘Karate Kid: Legends' a Hit or a Miss?
Coming on the heels of Netflix's celebrated Cobra Kai, responses to Karate Kid: Legends have been decidedly mixed. For some, the pairing of original star Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan (who, in 2010's The Karate Kid, took over the mentor role formerly filled by the late Pat Morita) offers enough warm-hearted nostalgia to save the day. Others, meanwhile, have criticized the film for not giving its returning characters enough to do, in addition to calling the movie too lightweight for its own good. With Karate Kid: Legends currently sitting at a middling 60 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, how does the new sequel stack up against Cobra Kai and the movies which preceded it?When Legends picks up, Mr. Han is in Beijing teaching a new generation of youth a particular form of kung-fu. (The connection between Han and Miyagi, and the reason the former is teaching a different fight technique than his mentor, is laid out nicely in a succinct opening scene.) Han's plans to make his nephew, Li Fong (Ben Wang), one of the world's best fighters are scuttled when Li's mother (Ming-Na Wen) decides to move them to New York City following a tragic death in the family. In Manhattan, Li falls in with Mia (Sadie Stanley), whose father, former fighter Victor (Joshua Jackson), owns a pizza restaurant. He also owes some very unsavory characters a lot of money, and to pay them back enters a fighting competition. As he hasn't fought in years, it falls to Li to teach Victor the ways of kung fu. If you've seen the trailer or any of the posters, you know this involves some help from Han and returning student (now master) Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio).Karate Kid: Legends, the sixth movie in the franchise, is easily the best Karate Kid movie since the original. It's certainly leagues above the tepid, utterly dull 2010 remake, which introduced Chan as Mr. Miyagi's protege, Mr. Han, and saw him train young Dre (Jaden Smith, who does not return here). Crucially, Legends eschews most of the training business that muddled the remake and later sequels. Here, Li is already a kung fu master with many successful fights under his belt. He needs only to learn a bit of karate, which is dispensed with in a blessedly brief montage. Instead of structuring itself like a lot of the other films in the series, with two extended acts of training followed by the grand tournament/battle, Legends operates far closer to a traditional action-thriller and is all the better for it. Director Jonathan Entwistle, who created and oversaw the clever Netflix series The End of the F***ing World and I Am Not Okay, brings a specific touch that personalizes this installment. He understands how to depict the complexities of teenagedom without alienating members of the audience who've aged out of that struggle, and his eye for small details is especially keen. There's a lovely, unobtrusive touch in which Li is found to be more of a New York 'local' than born-and-bred Mia due to his immigrant status and ability to converse with fellow expats of all stripes. But once the plot kicks in, the rapidity with which Entwistle moves through the typical beats proves both a blessing and a first two acts of Legends, up to about the 70-minute mark, are spectacularly accomplished. Li having to train Victor is a pleasing bit of subversion, and the movie vibrates with an eclectic soundtrack and an authentic, geographically accurate depiction of New York (the film was shot there, as well as in Georgia and Montreal). The entire cast does great work—Jackson turns in a particularly credible performance—and the whole thing looks terrific, with some lush set design and a warm, gauzy visual style which harks subtly back to '80s cinematography. Li's backstory, and the reason for his family's move, are harder edged than you may expect and delivered without treacle. Yet one of the movie's greatest assets—a slim, pre-end-credits running time of just under 90 minutes—is also its Achilles heel. As the film moves into its final passage, with Victor sidelined and Li having to compete in a city-wide fight competition, it loses track of itself and its and Macchio are good here, but their presence feels like an afterthought. Near the end, there are two central sequences—a fight between Han, LeRusso, and Li, and a heart-to-heart between the two karate kids—that play in montage and need much more space to breathe. One senses both would have been powerful beats if they'd been allowed to run longer, and the editing and the music were not making themselves so obvious. Brevity is a beautiful thing (Steven Soderbergh's Black Bag, from earlier this year, showed that you can make an epic in just 88 minutes), but not when it comes at the expense of fulfilling the arcs established in the first act. Legends wraps itself up in such a rush that there's a sense of disbelief come the final freeze frame. Storylines that seemed a shoo-in to provoke a tear simply vanish, drying up any emotion with it, and the final tournament feels peculiarly disconnected from the first half. The whole movie would have benefited from an extra 10 or 15 minutes added to its even with those missteps, it's hard to genuinely fault Karate Kid: Legends. This is an easy movie to like, a family-friendly adventure which does away with the modern blockbuster bloat, leaving behind CGI in favor of old-school stunts and stripping itself down to the basics. Legends is an above-average summer cinema offering which sits comfortably alongside the original Karate Kid and the best seasons of Cobra Kai. Crucially, it respects all members of its audience and will serve as a welcome entry point for younger viewers unfamiliar with the larger franchise. You will undoubtedly be reminded, in the best possible way, of '80s and '90s family adventures and sports dramas like The Goonies and The Mighty Ducks, which is no small feat. Perhaps the only thing worth saying is that, by the end, you're looking forward to the next to the Original and 'Cobra Kai,' Is 'Karate Kid: Legends' a Hit or a Miss? first appeared on Men's Journal on May 29, 2025
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'80s Heartthrob, 63, Sends Fans Hearts Fluttering With ‘Dapper' Look On NYC Red Carpet
'80s Heartthrob, 63, Sends Fans Hearts Fluttering With 'Dapper' Look On NYC Red Carpet originally appeared on Parade. Decades after he first crane-kicked his way into our hearts, proved this week that some things truly never go out of style – including his own enduring charm. The beloved actor, now 63, stepped onto the red carpet for the highly anticipated premiere of his new film, , and his remarkably "dapper" appearance has sent a wave of nostalgia and admiration across the internet. Macchio, who reprises his iconic role as Daniel LaRusso in the new installment, looked effortlessly sharp in a tailored navy blue suit, a crisp white shirt, and a subtle patterned tie. Sporting his familiar warm smile and seemingly ageless features, the star posed alongside co-star , but it was his polished look and vibrant energy that quickly became a major talking point. Social media platforms erupted with comments from fans, many of whom grew up watching Macchio in the original 1984 . 'Ralph looks younger than his son,' one Instagram user commented. "Always dapper sir" one user commented. The sentiment was echoed across Instagram, with old-school fans offering their praise, 'He was plastered all over my bedroom wall . My first crush.' Another added, "Ralph you were my first poster in 7th grade ❤️ SUPER excited for the movie! Karate Kid forever 💚🌟Cobra Kai Never Dies." The buzz surrounding his appearance adds another layer of excitement to Karate Kid: Legends, which bridges the gap between the original film series and the 2010 reboot, bringing Macchio and Chan's characters together for the first time. The film, alongside the immense success of the series, has solidified Macchio's status not just as an '80s icon, but as a relevant and celebrated actor in the current landscape. While Macchio may always be our Daniel, his current, dapper era reminds fans old and new exactly why he captured hearts all those years ago – and why he's still making them flutter today. '80s Heartthrob, 63, Sends Fans Hearts Fluttering With 'Dapper' Look On NYC Red Carpet first appeared on Parade on May 29, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
South China Morning Post
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Why so few Asian-Americans in the Karate Kid series? How new movie Legends addresses this
It did not occur to Ben Wang right away that in taking on Karate Kid: Legends, he would be the franchise's first Asian-American 'Kid'. And that gives him a lot of optimism. Advertisement 'At first I didn't even think about that,' Wang says. 'That feels like a very cool and actually privileged position that I get to be in.' His casting happened, he says, in 'a world where that's normal enough'. (From left) Jackie Chan, Ben Wang and Ralph Macchio in a still from Karate Kid: Legends. Photo: AP In the original Karate Kid movie, which came out more than 40 years ago in 1984, Pat Morita was the only main Asian-American cast member, even though it takes place in California's San Fernando Valley. His beloved Mr Miyagi helped underdog Daniel wax on and wax off against karate bullies. Advertisement
