New Delhi, May 31 -- The sixth film in the martial arts franchise that debuted in 1984, Karate Kid: Legends flings open the dojo doors to deliver chops, blocks, and kicks in a nostalgic throwback for fans of the Karate Kid movies. This latest entry, a legacy sequel, deftly combines former franchise stars, elements from the last five films, and updated threads from the Cobra Kai television series, while introducing a new Chinese lead in a familiar underdog-turned-hero arc.

But the tropes remain the same. The underdog journey of Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) in 1984's The Karate Kid-waxing on and off under Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita)-is mirrored in a contemporary New York setting, where Chinese student Li Fong must navigate a new world. The f...