KARATE KID: Legends

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from director Jonathan Entwistle and Sony Pictures is the story of a boy and two men who want to help the KARATE KID: Legends.

Li Fong (Ben Wang) is a young man studying Kung Fu with Shifu Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) in Beijing. Mom (Ming-Na Wen) is a doctor about to be transferred to New York City much to the dismay of Li who doesn’t want to leave the wuguan or Mr. Han and is still dealing with the loss of a family member. Once in New York, Li and his mother try to settle in and within a few hours he has his first friend Mia (Sadie Stanley) who works in her father Victor’s (Joshua Jackson) pizza joint.

His first days at school provide to be difficult as well when Connor Day (Aramis Knight), the local karate champion, decides to test Li’s ability to defend himself. Mom is none to pleased with what has happened having made Li promise not to fight. She refocuses Li’s attention to his studies by getting him an S.A.T. tutor in Alan (Wyatt Oleff). Li plays along but also makes time to hang out with Mia and making friends with her father. Victor was once a fighter of another kind and now wants to do it again to pay back a debt. After seeing what Li can do, Victor wants Li to train him up!

When things start to go badly, Mr. Han arrives in New York just in time to see that Li is having a difficulties. That’s when Mr. Han sees a flyer for a tournament and knows it will help the young man in so many ways but – he needs help. Flying to Los Angeles, he meets up with Daniel La Russo at the Miyagi-do and explains that he was once very good friends of Mr. Miyagi. Daniel is pleased to hear that his former teacher remembered him fondly to Mr. Han. Now, Mr. Han wants Daniel to do for Li, what Mr. Miyagi did for him.

Now, Li has a chance to mix Kung Fu with Karate and not only show what he is capable of but also the possibility of reconciling his fears – but can he do that?

Wang as Li is a very charming young man with a contagious smile and wonderful sense of humor. Dealing with the past, he agrees not to fight for his mother’s sake but the streets of New York have other ideas. Almost immediately he is defending himself and others around him but the one person who preys on his weakness is the one he must fight in a tournament. He also finds himself with a bit of a crush on the pizza guys daughter. Wang takes up the kid’s mantle and does it proud.

Chan as Mr. Han has a sense of humor and shows that even at the ripe age of 71, he has moves and isn’t afraid to show them. He gives his character the dedication in helping Li knowing what weighs heavy on his heart. Reaching out to another who can also understand the boys’ feelings, Chan is equally as funny and plays up his part and I loved every minute of it. Chan may not have the box office draw as in his early career, but this role was made for him to play and I am thrilled people will see what he has to offer in the Karate Kid franchise (and it erases the 2010 fiasco).

Macchio returns as LaRusso and although happy to meet Mr. Chan, doesn’t believe that he can help Li in a tournament. Yet, LaRusso finds himself on a rooftop explaining karate to Li and training him to fight his biggest adversary – Connor Day! Macchio’s character is so iconic that it seems only fitting that he be there for Li and the support he gives reminds us that in 1984, the same training and support was given to him. He understands the young man and that proves to be so important, especially when it is LaRusso who comes up with the gameplan (which may be familiar as well). Macchio seems to embrace the fact that he is forever superglued to the character of LaRusso and he makes it look so easy. That might also be the fact that he has spent the last six years being part of the Netflix series COBRA KAI (another of my family’s favorites) and returning to the film franchise works so perfectly.

Stanley as Mia is a young girl who is going through something similar as LaRusso’s young love Ali back in the day. She works with her father and finds herself surprisingly attracted to Li. It must be said they are cute together and it works on the screen. Stanley’s character worries for her father and when she begins to understand what Li is doing, joins the support team. Jackson as Dad Victor has a sense of humor and his character wants what is best for his daughter. A friendship also blooms between Victor and Li which was so lovely to see. Jackson gives a nice go-between character of the boxing world and a little bit of kung fu which stuns in the ring.

Knight as Connor is a kid with issues and trusting the wrong person to train him. His bully tactics may work on others but Li refuses to let it stand. Oleff as Alan is a character and made the audience laugh many times. He may be tutoring calculous to Li, but he’s becoming more of a friend than he expected. Wen as Li’s Mom is a doctor who wants her son to stay out of trouble and study to be able to go to college. When she discovers Li is fighting, “Mom’-ness kicks in and she is not happy. She has her reasons for being afraid for Li to get involved in fighting and tournaments which is revealed in the film.

KARATE KID: Legends is more than I expected! First of all, it is so nostalgic, especially for this mom who took her kids in 1984 to see THE KARATE KID and after that nothing was safe in my house. My sons immediately wanted to take karate lessons and that lasted for some time. There was something about the character of LaRusso that was so relatable to kids then and now he is a familiar character that is delightful to see as an adult. Most of us grew up with Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi to the point where lines from the film have become part of our lexicon. “Wax on, wax off” is a prime example and I have seen people try to catch a fly with chopsticks just to see if it was possible.

In this film, the new Daniel is Li Fong and between Mr. Han and LaRusso, Fong gets the best of both worlds and in the process have found a new Shifu and Sensei at the same time. But they aren’t the only friends Li makes. A new kid on the block, as it were, find friendship in Mia, Victor and Alan quickly and it works. The story moves at a fast pace and follows the 1984 formula and I’m not mad about it. It worked then and it works now and yes, it’s probably for nostalgia’s sake that it does and there is nothing wrong with that. KARATE KID: Legends is fun, charming, a bit brutal, and takes on the themes of friendship, life, sad events and loyalty to the love of martial arts.

For all those who long for the simpler times and a film that probably caused them to try and chop a piece of wood in half, then get to the theatres this Friday and find that kid again. Embrace two cultures, a kid with martial arts talent and two men who believed in him. Prepare to have a grand time at the movies this weekend.

In the end – when masters unite a new legacy begins!

It is the Return of COBRA KAI with Season 4

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from Netflix and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the next season of the hit series COBRA KAI: Season Four.

Daniel (Ralph Macchio) is working with his group Miyagi-Do and Johnny (William Zabka) is working with his group Eagle Fang with one single goal – deal with Cobra Kai. The two men are not exactly agreeing on the best way to do that. Johnny is dealing with another issue as well, a woman from the past has returned – Ali (Elisabeth Shue).

Kreese (Martin Kove) is also loading up Cobra Kai when he asks Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) to come and help him train his students but living a different way, Terry declines but there is an itch for the past. Daniel decides to ask Johnny if he wants to team up the two dojos but there egos once again get in the way. Robby (Tanner Buchanan) decides to join Cobra Kai and gives away trade Miyagi-do Karate secrets in order to win. Hawk (Jacob Bertrand) comes up with a winning idea.

Daniel is shocked to learn that his son Anthony (Griffin Santopietro) is not being bullied, but the bully! Daniel and Johnny decide that maybe its time they try to understand one another and maybe even understand their different way of teaching their students. Daniel invites Johnny, Carmen (Vanessa Rubio) and Miguel (Xolo Mariduena) to their home for dinner to talk about things. The idea is for students from both dojos learn from one another.

A bullied Kenny goes to Kreese for help but is rejected as ‘weak’, but Robby wants to help. Johnny is not happy that Daniel has taken an interest in Miguel and Kreese introduces his students to Terry as a new sensei. Amanda (Courtney Henggeler) and Sam (Mary Mouser) see Tory (Peyton List) at her place of work which frustrates her. Finally, there is a face off between Terry and Kreese and Daniel and Johnny.

The confrontation shakes Daniel, and he tells Johnny about the history between the two. Johnny tries to help Daniel, but he doesn’t want to deal with it. After a run in with Cobra Kai and a match between Daniel and Johnny, the upcoming tournament is hanging in the balance.

All-Valley board decides to add some things to the tournament and finally has a girl’s division. The only one not happy about it is Eagle Fang because they don’t have any girl members. That is until they find Piper (Selah Austria) but she joins Cobra Kai instead. Johnny finally tells Miguel about his relationship with Carmen but Miguel surprises him instead.

Both Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang are having issues with the students whether it be in fighting or personal issues that are just weighing them down. Over at Cobra Kai, Kreese begins to think that perhaps it wasn’t a good idea to bring Terry back! It’s prom time as everyone pares up but tensions flare up. Worse, Terry does the unforgiveable to one of Cobra Kai students.

The All-Valley Tournament is brutal as each of the dojos go against one another and notices Miyagi-Do technique. Trying to talk to Robby does not help. Anthony also attempts to make amends to Kenny but is met with fists instead. When the tournament comes down to it, Daniel tells Johnny that perhaps they should mix up their styles and call it ‘Miyagi-Fang’. Once again, Cobra Kai is up to no good as Terry encourages dirty fighting and bribing referees.

Daniel turns to someone that might help them!

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.com.

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with over 158 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. Enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films, Netflix is across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere and on any internet-connected screen. For more information, please visit www.netflix.com.

DVD Bonus Features include Deleted Scenes, Blooper Reel and Karate Dad Featurette.

The cast of COBRA KAI is amazing and this series has captures the world’s attention and my own family as well. Of course, we would be interested, you’d have to be from another planet not to know the 1984 wave that was THE KARATE KID followed by more films. Then, the wave passed, and the kid was reduced to a gawd awful remake (which we won’t talk about here).

Then, in 2018, something wonderful happened! The first season of COBRA KAI made its way onto big and small streaming screens everywhere. Netflix caught on and brought it on board their slate of shows and it has just exploded. Why? Because no one gets to mess with the 80’s generation and our beloved movies and characters.

Having Ralph Macchio and William Zabka lead the way, a new generation gets to geek out with those of us who lived the viewing dream! These two actors have brought back the story and we do not even care that they have aged because, lets be real, haven’t we all? There issues are from the past but, as each season grows, their hard-headedness gets in the way from the one thing they need to grasp – they are actually on the sane side!

Bringing Kove as Kreese and Griffith as Terry back means it is a two-two fight. The kids also have a say in what is happening in their own lives and find out that sometimes what is going on is hard to know. The face kids show out in the world is not necessarily the real face of what is going on at home and in their lives.

So prepare to binge and catch up with COBRA KAI Season 4!

In the end – the Karate Kid saga continues! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DVD Brings Season 3 of COBRA KAI

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the next installment of COBRA KAI Season 3.

Johnny (William Zabka) is in a tailspin trying to find a way to make things right with the very injured Miguel (Xolo Mariduena) and instead ends up in jail. The massive fight at the high school has put everyone on high alert and Sam (Mary Mouser) cannot come to grips with what happen to Demitri (Gianni DeCenzo) at the hands of Hawk (Jacob Bertrand) let alone her own fight with Tory (Peyton List). Daniel (Ralph Macchio) is out trying to find the missing Robby (Tanner Buchanan).

Daniel thinks that it is important for Johnny to help look for Robby as they search everywhere he could be. While everyone is concerned with Robby and Miguel, Kreese (Martin Kove) puts his own plans into place and teaches his own brand of karate behind Johnny’s back.

Visiting Bobby in juvenile hall for what happened to Miguel, the young man makes it clear that he wants nothing to do with anyone. Sam tries to raise funds for a surgery that Miguel needs only to have the Cobra Kai attack them. Johnny becomes involved with Carmen (Vanessa Rubio) and enjoying himself. Daniel is having trouble with his business, so he decides to go to Tokyo to negotiate with the auto business.

While there, Daniel revisits Tomi Village to find that it is much changed. He sees Kumiko (Tamlyn Tomita) and Chozen (Yuji Okumoto). He learns more about Mr. Miagi (Pat Morita) and his family’s karate as well as the things that his sensei did not teach him and why. All of it leads to Daniel meeting a little someone, Yuna (Traci Toguchi), from his past that is about to change his future.

More fights between Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai happen while Daniel is away, and Johnny decides to learn more about technology and joins Facebook discovering Ali (Elisabeth Shue) is just one click away. He is also helping Miguel find his feet once again. Amanda (Courtney Henggeler) takes on Kreese and it does not end well.

Trying to get the dojo closed, hopes are dashed as Kreese makes it clear that he is not going anywhere at any time. Learning Ali is in town, Miguel helps Johnny pump up his profile to pump up his image who finally sends Ali a message. Seeing Tory again, he lets her know that revenge against Miyagi-Do is not needed.

Miguel is doing very well and returns to school only to discover what Cobra Kai has been up to and he is horrified. Daniel realizes he needs to spend more time with Sam who is still going through a hard time. A Miyagi story is necessary so dad can share with daughter that he truly understands. Johnny decides to start a new dojo called Eagle Fang Karate where he can finally teach without Kreese around.

When Daniel, Kreese and Johnny discover that the All-Valley Tournament is cancelled, they all show up to show why that is wrong which almost does not work. It is Miguel and Amanda who explain why is should go on and their friendship resumes as Robby ends up at the Cobra Kai dojo and into the waiting grasp of Kreese.

During the holidays, Johnny and Ali meet up for lunch and talk about old times and life choices. Ali asks Johnny to join her at the country club later only to discover Daniel and Amanda as the two couples share the evening, talk about old times, and laugh at themselves and their silly antics. Change is also coming for the Miyagi-Do team and the Eagle Fang as the kids get together to discuss coming together.

But Cobra Kai is coming for them and breaking into the LaRusso house, a brawl happens and a few of them realize that this is not the way and change their allegiance. Both men go to the Cobra Kai dojo only Johnny gets their first to see his son with Kreese and a fight begins, and Daniel comes in as Kreese takes them both on.

Kreese decides there is only one other person that can help him now – Terry Silver (Nick Marini). A surprise also comes around when Daniel and Johnny realize that they need each other and that their ridiculous past needs to finally be settled. The page of karate is about to be turned as two men learn from each other with a new understanding that is different but oh so cool.

History is about to be changed because two men realize that are better together than they are arguing apart!

Macchio as Daniel is trying to forget about what happened all those years ago, but things keep coming up that set his teeth on edge. Dealing with the dealership, staying close to his family and taking in young Bobby become his goals until that all seems to be chaotic. Returning to Tomi Village helped him find balance again and Macchio makes us feel like we are back in the 1986 once again. That is what is amazing about all of this, Macchio does not try to reinvent the wheel but instead gives us the memories as well as the grown-up life of Daniel LaRusso.

Zabka as Johnny clearly has issues that are consistently being drowned in a bottle of Coors Banquet beer. I do not think there are many moments on screen where there is not a bottle (or a can from time to time) in his hand. Openly admitting he spent his twenties and thirties in such a state is the beginning, it would be nice to see him put the bottle down for good. His Archie Bunker tendencies come out from time to time, but Zabka throws himself into every bit of this character. Lost in the past, Zabka gives us a Johnny that is fighting going into the future with every breath he takes.

Mariduena as Miguel is a young man with a homelife that has problems of its own, yet he learns from both Daniel and Johnny trying to find the middle ground. This young actor gives his character strength with a bit of the usual mistake making for a teenager.  Mouser as Sam is Daniel’s daughter who first had no interest in karate, then too much interest and is also trying to find a balance between the two. Mouser and Mariduena eventually try to do their share to bring peace, but it will have to wait until they are on the mat.     

DeCenzo as Demitri is a kid that tries to avoid being a part of anything karate from the beginning and even when he thinks he is ready, he balks. The thing is, Daniel does not give up on any of the kids easily and DeCenzo does not disappoint. Bertrand as Hawk starts out as a good friend to Demitri and then enters the dojo of Cobra Kai and becomes someone horrible, vicious and dangerous but everyone deserves a second chance.

List as Tory has home issues and they feed into the anger that she just cannot let go of. Trying to like this character is more difficult than I could have imagined. I can see her character in thirty years turning into a female Johnny or, at best, the sign lady Johnny hires. Henggeler as Amanda is trying to keep the family together, the business running and make sure Daniel and Johnny do not lose themselves.  

Buchanan as Robby is a young man who is dealing with an absent father and trusting Daniel to teach him. Getting a place to live and a chance at an education, it all comes crashing down when Tory starts something and lets everyone else finish it. Buchanan starts out confused, finds a nice place to land and goes back to confusion.  Kove as Kreese returns hoping Johnny will let him back in to the mix but when it does not happen the way he wants, Kreese returns to his old habits and evil returns to All-Valley.    

Rubio as Carmen is Miguel’s concerned mother who works hard for her family to keep them fed and a roof over their heads. Happy that Miguel has found something to believe in, when the injury happens, she makes sure that Johnny knows her anger. That does not mean their relationship does not take a hit, but Johnny figures it out the best way he can.

Other cast include Barrett Carnahan as young Kreese, Terry Serpico as Captain Turner, Griffin Santopietro as Anthony LaRusso, Dan Ahdoot as Anoush, Ken Davitian as Armand Zarkarian, Ron Thomas as Bobby Brown, Nathaniel Oh as Nathaniel, Annalisa Cochrane as Yasmine, Okea Eme-Akwari as Shawn Payne, Ed Asner as Sid Weinberg, Diora Baird as Shannon Keene, Bret Ernst as Louie LaRusso Jr., Aedin Mincks as Mitch, Khalil Everage as Chris, Owen Morgan as Bert and Dee Snider as the one and only Dee Snider.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.com.

The episodes include Aftermath, Nature Vs. Nurture, Now You’re Gonna Pay, The Right Path, Miyagi-Do, King Cobra, Obstaculos, The Good The Bad and the Badass, Feel the Night and December 19.

COBRA KAI Season 3 continues the story between Daniel, Johnny and their issues from thirty years ago. Watching them get along and then not and then get along again is mainly on Johnny’s insecurities. Daniel makes a few nutty decisions as well which makes their continual ‘feud’ based mainly on miscommunication and misunderstanding.

The kids, however, are constantly in each other’s faces and fighting. I was hoping the storyline would tone that down a bit, but I tend to think as the sides continually change, the fighting will only ramp up. Macchio has not lost his ‘Daniel’ charm just as much as Zabka continues with his conflicted and insecure ‘Johnny’ who thinks with his fist instead of his head which is swimming in alcohol.

This season revisits places and people who made the original KARATE KID films so iconic. I was thrilled to see a few of them and, of course, boo’d the screen with some of the bad guys who have decided to come back to Cobra Kai. COBRA KAI has become a massive hit for the streaming service Netflix, and it makes me smile to see people wearing update tee-shirts that say ‘Cobra Kai Never Dies’.

As much as I am not a fan of resurging films and television shows, I have to say that binging on COBRA KAI has been somewhat of a bag of mixed feelings. The characters finally have a chance to tell their stories and the new characters learn these story’s but whether they use it for good will be seen.

In the end – The Karate Kid saga continues!