Karate Kid: Legends Trailer

Mr. Miyagi Never Dies

Movies

Karate Kid: Legends has just released its first trailer. Watch below:

This looks like it might actually be a good movie. It might even be a good action movie, which, in my opinion, we definitely need more of. Actually, I don’t think there is such a thing as too many action movies, but then again, I grew up with Stallone and Schwarzenegger. The production value looks OK, and the martial arts do pique my interest.

Then enters old, wise Asian man who speak no good English, played by Jackie Chan. OK, this movie is utilizing stereotypes, and I’m here for it! Following that fantastic entrance is Daniel Fucking LaRusso, played by Ralph Macchio. Ugh. Why? I know why, but I’m in denial about it, and that’s not what this is about. Daniel Larusso is (obviously) another badass old, wise karate sensei, similar to old, wise Asian man who speak no good English. Continuing on… shit is definitely going down in Karate Land!

These two old wise karate senseis are going to have to band together to teach the next generation what karate is really all about… brawling high school gangs that are like today’s version of West Side Story and karate tournaments! And fortunately for them, they have the perfect candidate. Enter young, not wise Asian martial art badass (I don’t know his name), played by Ben Wang. Let’s call him Chad. Young Chad is probably ghey, or at the very least, he’s definitely questioning the familiarity of his queerness.

I’m sorry, but I had to start with that. It’s unavoidable, so we may as well jump right into that rainbow-colored pool. Admittedly, this trailer shows absolutely no signs of LGBTQ influences or any other critical levels of wokeness. But trust me, it’s there. It’s a Hollywood-ish movie made in 2024, so it’s there.

When Chad isn’t questioning things, he’s practicing spinning backkicks and his incredible nunchaku skills. Trust me, this trailer makes him look like he can kick spins and spin kicks for, at the very least, three of the most awesome points ever witnessed in any karate tournament ever.

Mr. Miyagi Never Dies

What kind of Karate Kid movie would this be without the name “Miyagi” being mentioned, at minimum, twice per minute? Well, don’t worry because it exceeds that and adds a new branch to that tree on the back of their karate outfits. Speaking of branches, a new branch is being formed from the teachings of Mr. Miyagi. Or is it Miyagi-do karate that has existed for hundreds of years? I think this movie is going with the original, the OG, the teaching of Mr. Miyagi.

What the hell am I talking about, you ask? The Miyagiverse. Basically, there are two different timelines utilizing the core storylines from the original Karate Kid movies. All I know is, the original films didn’t have the entity that is Miyagi-do karate. Only Mr. Miyagi’s teachings were included. So if Karate Kid: Legends is only about Mr. Miyagi’s teachings, then this movie is in that universe.

Don’t get me wrong; I really enjoy the show Cobra Kai. I’ve watched every episode numerous times, and the only complaint I have is just to let Mr. Miyagi die already – which, if they did back in season three of Cobra Kai, then I don’t think I’d be complaining about another Karate Kid with more of the Miyagi stuff. But that’s not what happened; in season five of Cobra Kai, Daniel was investigating Mr. Miyagi’s dark, mysterious past, which I don’t remember contributing anything substantial to the season. Then again, in season six, Daniel has to know whatever the most recent thing that might possibly maybe be about Mr. Miyagi so he can use every skill he learned from Mr. Miyagi to beat up some stranger, all to prove Mr. Miyagi was a good guy.

Let him die. Stop milking that cow.

Without giving away any spoilers, this movie is about a kid (probably in high school) being bullied, and how karate helps kids kick back!

I’d like to thank Geeks + Gamers for allowing me to rant today. Shouout to the 199.

Sony Pictures Entertainment will release Karate Kid: Legends in theaters on May 30, 2025.

Let us know what you think of the Karate Kid: Legends trailer in the comments!

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