Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen the release of a collection of big summer blockbusters that are the latest outings in pre-existing, long-running movie series. For example, a few weeks ago saw the release of Thunderbolts*, which is part of the MCU, which has been around since 2008.
Another example is the horror movie, Final Destination: Bloodlines, which is part of a series dating back to 2000. Then there is the action-adventure sequel, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning – the eighth entry in a series stretching back to 1996.
This week sees the release of yet another legacy blockbuster, but not one from the ‘00s or the ‘90s; this time we are going all the way back to the ‘80s! The film is Karate Kid: Legends, the latest entry in the Karate Kid franchise.
Karate Kid: Legends is roundhouse-kicking its way onto a cinema screen near you right now. Want to read all about it? Then be sure to check out the review below for all the details about this new film.
Plus, in this week’s edition of Movie Reviews 2025 you’ll find reviews for Fountain of Youth, Warfare, and The Salt Path. And if that isn’t enough, Netflix unveils Lost in Starlight.
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Now streaming…
Fountain of Youth (2025)
First up this week is the action-adventure romp, Fountain of Youth. Directed by Guy Ritchie, the film stars John Krasinski, Natalie Portman, Eiza González, Domhnall Gleeson, and Stanley Tucci, and follows the story of two estranged siblings on the search for the mythical Fountain of Youth.
In the film, Krasinski plays Luke Purdue, while Portman is sister Charlotte. He’s a disgraced archaeologist, as well as a loveable rogue, and she’s a recently divorced museum curator, with no time for his bullshit.
Having not seen each other for a while, Luke comes back into Charlotte’s life while on the hunt for the aforementioned Fountain. During their initial meeting he steals a painting from her museum, which he believes will provide him with a vital clue, that can send him well on his way to his next big adventure.
According to Luke and his team, six different artists painted six different paintings, all containing six different clues. Put them all together and they should lead the way to the Fountain’s location.
Only problem is, Luke and Co. aren’t the only ones after the Fountain. And then there’s Charlotte, who has her own personal problems going on and really doesn’t want to be dragged into Luke’s latest drama.
Playing out like a mix of Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), The Thomas Crown Affair (1999), National Treasure (2004), and The Da Vinci Code (2006), Fountain of Youth is an adventure yarn which has its heart in the right place, as well as some of the right ingredients for a fun film, it just suffers from one significant problem: The fun has gone AWOL. While Fountain of Youth may sit in the same category as the aforementioned treasure hunt pictures, and it certainly isn’t awful, it doesn’t quite match up to the above and feels like a re-tread of what has come before.
The script is also somewhat lacking, the dialogue falls flat, and the sparkle isn’t there. The skeleton for a good treasure hunt picture is laid out, and all parts have been assembled in the correct order, but there’s not enough meat on the bones.
Oddly, the agreeable Krasinski, and the always reliable Portman don’t gel as well as you might hope either. Maybe it’s because their characters are written as grumbling siblings, rather than sniping former lovers, but the constant gripes against each other don’t work and some of their exchanges become a bit tedious.
The story needs to bounce off the leads and their interactions, but unfortunately it doesn’t. There’s more chemistry in a primary school science class than there is between Luke and Charlotte and this holds the film back.
On the plus side, Fountain of Youth looks good, so it gets a round of applause for the set design, and there are enough location changes to add weight to the narrative. Whether it’s an exploration of the Lusitania in Ireland, a jaunt to an ornate library in Austria, or a bit of tomb raiding in Egypt, the film certainly brings scenes of spectacle.
There are plenty of practical effects too. Fountain of Youth does use some computer-generated wizardry here and there, most notably during the climax, but the use of tangible sets is far more prominent and the film is better for it.
It’s all been done before, and better, but if you like this sort of thing you may find it perfectly fine for what it is. The nuts and bolts are here, it’s just not entirely sure what to do with them.
Reduce your expectations and you might have an acceptable time with Fountain of Youth. It won’t be your next favourite film, but watching it shouldn’t be the worst time of your life either.
The biggest sticking point is the lack of originality. However, this appears to be a problem with streaming titles in general, so make of that what you will.
Should you wish to check out Fountain of Youth, the film is now available to stream on Apple TV+.
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Now streaming…
Warfare (2025)
Up next is Warfare. Written and directed by Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland, and based on Mendoza’s experiences during the Iraq War, the film depicts a devastating encounter between a team of US Navy SEALs and enemy forces, shortly after the Battle of Ramadi.
In the film, it is November 19th 2006, and in Ramadi, Iraq, a US platoon takes up sniper positions within a rundown building. A short while later, they are caught up in gunfire, with horrific results.
As explained at the beginning of Warfare, “this film uses only their memories.” The “their” being the real-life Navy SEALs who were caught up in gunfire back in ‘06, and whose detailed accounts form the thrust of this picture.
Which in essence is a 95-minute exploration of the atrocities faced by those soldiers in conflict. Warfare offers up a brutal look at the action, tension, fear, and outcome of war, with as close a depiction of events as possible.
Presented in real-time, Warfare doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to the horrors and the lives at the centre of the story, and this certainly creates a very profound impact. Warfare isn’t a documentary, but it might as well be, as filmmakers Mendoza and Garland go in deep, and bring the reality of war to the surface.
They are then backed by an excellent cast which includes D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Kit Connor, and Joseph Quinn. These young actors capture the essence of their real-world counterparts and give brilliant performances.
Warfare is a compelling, completely unflinching picture, with arguably one of the most realistic depictions of conflict ever committed to screen. It puts a new slant on the traditional war film, bringing audiences much closer to the battlefield.
Should you wish to take a look, Warfare is now available to rent or buy on digital platforms.
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In cinemas…
Karate Kid: Legends (2025)
In Karate Kid: Legends, kung-fu whiz, Li Fong relocates from Beijing to New York to start a new life with his mother. Upon arrival Li does his best to settle in, befriending fellow teen, Mia in the process.
Mia lives with her dad, Victor, who owns a local pizzeria. She’s a polite, friendly girl, and they hit it off.
Problem is, Mia’s ex-boyfriend, Connor doesn’t take kindly to Li being in Mia’s life and constantly picks on him. Li fights back, but is outmatched.
If this wasn’t enough of a problem to overcome, Li has other challenges to contend with. Victor owes money to a loan shark, is keen to use his experiences as an ex-fighter to win some cash in a match, and wants Li’s help to get him fight-ready.
But when Victor suffers a setback, and ends up in hospital, Li finds himself out of his depth once more. However, Li’s outlook begins to pick up when he receives a visit from his uncle and former mentor, Mr. Han.
Han believes Li still has the power to help Victor settle his debts, and encourages him to enter a street-fighting competition with a cash prize. However, in order to get Li in tip-top shape, he’s going to need help from former karate kid, Daniel LaRusso.
Directed by Jonathan Entwistle, Karate Kid: Legends is a martial arts drama starring Ralph Macchio, Jackie Chan, Ben Wang, Joshua Jackson, Aramis Knight, and Ming-Na Wen. The film is the sixth entry in the Karate Kid movie series, and is a sequel to the ‘80s/‘90s run of Karate Kid films, the 2010 reboot (which is no longer a reboot – it’s canon!), and the television show, Cobra Kai.
But don’t worry if you’ve not watched all of the above, all you need to know is Li is a new character, and the majority of the movie is about introducing him as the latest ‘Karate Kid’. As for the ‘Legends’ part of the title, this refers to Daniel LaRusso from the original films and Mr. Han from the 2010 movie, who feature in the story and join forces to help Li.
All three stitch together this Karate Kid Cinematic Universe, although to be clear, The Avengers this ain’t. Despite what the title might imply, Karate Kid: Legends is a fairly small-scale story, rather than a huge, sprawling adventure.
Han and LaRusso are part of the film, but in a limited capacity. The focus is very much on Li Fong and exploring his journey instead.
Surprisingly, the low-level approach of Karate Kid: Legends is far from a bad thing. By focusing on Li, the film proves to be a good jumping-on point for newcomers, meaning young audiences could easily watch this film in cinemas, then go back to the older movies at their leisure if this one appeals.
And the likelihood is Karate Kid: Legends will appeal. While this isn’t necessarily must-see stuff, it is all perfectly serviceable.
Even if the story is underdeveloped in places (and this is being generous), sometimes it’s nice to just spend time in the company of affable characters. And that’s exactly what you get here with the central trio.
The combination of Jackie Chan’s Han, Ralph Macchio’s LaRusso, and Ben Wang’s Li Fong is the winning element of the picture. Wang in particular is very strong, and seeing all three on screen, high-kicking their way through the story is a lot of fun to watch.
With a runtime of around 90-minutes, Karate Kid: Legends is a bit rushed, but it’s also a bum-friendly offering. While the film could do with a bit more weight, including more character development (especially for the central villains), the quick pace ultimately works in the film’s favour.
This isn’t a picture concerned with trying to go big, it’s more interested in telling an easy-to- follow, family friendly tale. One with plenty of heart, as well as a couple of slick karate moves, which kids will no doubt attempt to replicate in the playground (like some of us did in the ‘80s).
The final move doesn’t match the iconic ‘crane kick’ from 1984’s The Karate Kid, but it’s still pretty cool. Once again, it just needs a bit more development to give it a stronger presence in the film.
In a world where superhero pictures still rule the box-office, it’s unlikely a movie such as Karate Kid: Legends is going to change the face of cinema. It’s not the Citizen Kane of martial arts movies, nor is it the strongest instalment in the Karate Kid series, it’s just another action-adventure picture.
But do you know what? Irrespective of this, Karate Kid: Legends is likeable, and this counts for a lot.
Karate Kid: Legends isn’t a five-star picture, it’s three stars at most, but it’s a solid three-star offering, which benefits from a fab turn from Ben Wang, as well as enjoyable support from Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio. If all you’re after is simple escapism, and a touch of nostalgia thrown in for good measure, you could do far worse than giving this movie your time.
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Now streaming…
Lost in Starlight (2025)
Now streaming on Netflix is the South Korean romantic animated movie, Lost in Starlight. Directed by Han Ji-won, the movie features the voice talents of Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung, and follows the story of an astronaut and a musician, who embark on a romance.
In the film, Nan-young is an astronaut with tragedy in her life. At a young age she lost her mother in an expedition to Mars, and ever since she has followed in her mother’s footsteps, hoping to travel to space.
One day, Nan-young meets music technician and songwriter, Jay. The pair hit it off, begin dating, and develop a romance.
But when Nan-young is given the opportunity to fulfil her dreams on a mission to Mars, it puts their love to the test. Can they maintain their relationship across the stars?
Featuring exquisite animation, a sumptuous colour palette, and a delightful soundtrack, Lost in Starlightis a beautiful little film built around love and hope. The movie focuses on the connection between Nan-young and Jay, how their relationship blossoms, and how it is challenged by the different paths they take.
However, this isn’t just a lovely-dovey picture, the film also deals with loss. In the backdrop of the film is the tragedy surrounding Nan-young’s mother, how this has impacted Nan-young throughout her life, and her emotional state as a result.
This difficulty in her life adds a great deal of weight to the film, and makes for an emotive piece. As such, if the romantic angle of Lost in Starlight doesn’t grab you, the material focusing on Nan-young’s mother will, resulting in a rather effective film.
If you’re an old romantic at heart, and you adore stunning animation (who doesn’t?), Lost in Starlight could be right up your galaxy. The film is a neat picture, with some lovely little touches, and a lot of heart.
It’s also a film which keeps things simple, and sometimes this is exactly what’s needed. Lost in Starlight is very much a film to curl up and get lost in.
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In cinemas…
The Salt Path (2024)
And finally in The Salt Path, Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs take on the roles of Raynor and Moth Winn – a real-life British couple who embark on an extensive hike along a challenging trail. In the film, the pair receive a devastating health diagnosis, and find themselves homeless, which in turn triggers a journey of self-discovery.
This journey takes them on a 630 mile trek along the South West Coast Path – England’s longest national trail. However, with limited funds, and increasing health concerns, the hike proves more than just a scenic walk along the coastline.
Directed by Marianne Elliott, and based on Raynor Winn’s memoir of the same name, The Salt Path is a British biographical drama which details the true account of the Salt Path journey. It looks at the hardships that Raynor and Moth face, as they tackle the elements, battle a distinct lack of cash, and try to overcome various challenges that crop up along the way.
The main thrust of the story is the walk, with the film focusing on the couple’s climb up and down hillsides and along cliff tops. However, at various points in the film, the story flashes back to the past, to fill in details about what prompted the hike and how the Winns ended up homeless.
With Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs leading the picture, it’s safe to say this is a film which is not only in safe hands, but also very likeable. The central duo are fab, and despite a couple of dodgy accents (which can be overlooked), they don’t put a foot wrong.
The same can be said for director Marianne Elliott, who captures the heart of the story via a powerful, and thought provoking picture. The Salt Path is a movie about resilience, and the power of the human spirit, and Elliott and screenwriter Rebecca Lenkiewicz convey this in all its brutal beauty.
With all the blockbusters available right now, and more on the way, it’s likely The Salt Path will get lost amongst the crowd this summer. However, those who do spend some time in its company will find themselves having a charming time.
The Salt Path has moments of hardship, which tug at the heartstrings, but it’s all done in a caring and respectful way. It’s simply a lovely film which you can catch in UK cinemas now!
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Movie of the Week
Time for this week’s Movie of the Week and it’s going to two films this week: Warfare, and The Salt Path. Warfare is a brutal movie, but a very effective one, while The Salt Path is a touching picture with two fab lead performances.
And if you like Warfare, you may also be interested in:
- Civil War (2024) – Warfare filmmaker Alex Garland writes and directs this dystopian action-thriller about a team of journalists travelling from New York to Washington D.C. during a US civil war.
- Saving Private Ryan (1998) – Steven Spielberg takes to the director’s chair for this Academy Award-winning war film about a group of soldiers on a rescue mission.
- Black Hawk Down (2001) – The crew of the Black Hawk helicopter face insurmountable danger when their copter is shot down in this intense war picture from director Ridley Scott.
And if you like The Salt Path you may wish to take a look at:
- Mass (2021) – Jason Isaacs stars alongside Martha Plimpton, Ann Dowd, and Reed Birney in this powerful drama about two sets of parents whose children are involved in a high school shooting.
- Scoop (2024) – Gillian Anderson plays the part of real-life journalist, Emily Maitlis in this British drama about the infamous Prince Andrew interview.
- The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (2023) – Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton star in this British drama about a retired pensioner who embarks on an unlikely journey.
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Forthcoming attractions
OK, that’s it for this week, but coming soon there’s action and thrills in From the World of John Wick: Ballerina; sci-fi shenanigans in Predator: Killer of Killers; and creepy chaos in Clown in a Cornfield. Plus, Aussie shark horror, Dangerous Animals splashes down in UK cinemas, and How to Train Your Dragon is on the horizon.
And don’t forget, should you wish for a preview of this summer’s biggest movie releases, you can find out about all the films heading your way between May and September via the Movie Reviews 2025: Summer Showcase.
Until next time, happy viewing!
Alex
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Thank you for taking the time to read Movie Reviews 2025 on It’s A Stampede!. For more reviews, check out the recommended reads below.
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