From Beijing’s back alleys to New York’s concrete jungle, this one’s got heart, hustle, and enough crane kicks to make you cheer like it’s 1984 all over again.

Ben Wang nails Li Fong as the wide-eyed kung fu whiz hauling grief and grit across the ocean after losing his brother. Bullied into a tournament to back a buddy, his chops aren’t cutting it—cue Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han, all wise-cracking wisdom and wire-fu flair, dialing up Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso for backup. The mentor mash-up? Gold. Picture bonsai lessons meets bonsai bombs, blending karate katas with kung fu flair into a hybrid beatdown that’s fresh but faithful.

Joshua Jackson’s Connor Day is the perfect smug champ—think Johnny Lawrence with a trust fund—and that finale flying kick tribute? Gut-punch emotional, pure legacy love. The post-credits Miyagi-Dough tease with William Zabka? Cobra Kai fans, start your engines.

It’s nostalgic without being needy, action-packed without skimping on soul. A little predictable at times, but who cares when the fights pop like fireworks?

Verdict: 8.2/10 – The kid’s all right, and the legends? Immortal.

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