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15 out of 15 people found the following comment useful :-
Surprisingly Good, 17 March 1999
Author: Gislef from Iowa City, IA

Despite a somewhat limited run in first-run syndication, Kung Fu seems to have found its niche as a TNT staple. It's basically the original series updated for the 90's - no surprise there. Still, I like any show that has a huge supporting cast that get their moments to shine & a strong sense of continuity, and KF has it in spades. There's enough fighting to satisfy the less intellectual, but some decent plotting and storylines for those looking for more. It also has a very clear beginning, middle, and end, making it more of a "saga" without a full-fledged Babylon 5-like "arc." And Scott Wentworth as Kermit is one of the coolest characters on TV - he should have gotten his own spin-off series.

The family theme was also interesting, particularly the interaction between the unsung Robert Lansing, Peter's adopted father, and David Carradine. Unfortunately, Lansing's death from cancer put an end to that, but his memory lived on.

Overall, a highly entertaining show. I'd recommend catching it if you can, but you really need to start from the beginning.

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12 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-
Exposition is not without merit., 12 January 2005
Author: brightwyrm from United States

You know what was great about the late 80's and early 90's? All of those old shows we love, like Knight Rider and Quantum Leap and the A-Team. Shows that while they contained over-the-top action and cheesy comedy, had endearing characters and interesting premises that weren't so tired as to be not worth watching. I think that Kung Fu, The Legend Continues fits neatly into that list of 'B' list TV favorites.

Following the further adventures of Kwai Chang Kaine as his wandering finally comes to an end and he settles down long enough to be with his son, a detective in the inner city, this is both a cop and Kung Fu show and a curious parody of how the perceptions of Asian mysticism have worked their way into modern culture. David Caradine's character's amusement at the modern world is quirky and anachronistic, and interesting characters like the Ancient keep you coming back. And of course, there's just something to be said about listening to David Caradine talk.

Another twist here was the sense of history that the connection to David Caradine's old Kung-Fu Western, the original Kung Fu gave the sequel series. The show hearkens back to it's roots by containing flashbacks, not of Kaine this time as in the original series, but of his son's history as he recalls the teachings of the Shoulin monks when faced with trouble.

Movies like Big Trouble in Little China, Kill Bill volumes 1 and 2, and even the Matrix trilogy would later rely on the groundwork laid by this and other shows and films to set the stage for wacky wire works combat and mystical fights where more than was normally possible was suddenly a part of the story. It's clear to most that the gravel-voiced Caradine was chosen for his role in Kill Bill for his contribution to the Kung-Fu Spagetti Western, a genre he and contemporary Bruce Lee helped create, and the very character he plays here.

Over all, take KF:LC for what it is; a fun action series with memorable characters. Enjoy.

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8 out of 8 people found the following comment useful :-
Awesome Show!, 18 August 1999
Author: Flamio from Ohio

David Carradine and cast present an interesting and captivating episode every time. This show rules! Great guest stars: Mickey Rooney, John Saxon, Pamela Susan Shoop, etc...they all make for great entertainment! There is a good chemistry between Caine and his son Peter. Flashbacks are always cool. As to why young Caine had to change actors, who knows? Maybe Nathaniel Moreau got too big. Great show, I've watched episodes over and over again.

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9 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :-
Fun, escapist fantasy TV show!, 18 April 2004
Author: gazebo from New York City

"Kung Fu: The Legend Continues" will never be as good as the original "Kung Fu" TV show. The original "Kung Fu" was a remarkable show that can never be duplicated in this time and age.

"Kung Fu: The Legend Continues" is stricly lightweight fantasy. Kwai Chang Caine's descendants are still around and doing heroic work. Caine and his son, Peter (played by the handsome Chris Potter) were separated when their temple was attacked and destroyed. Peter is now a policeman. Caine and Peter meet again and reconnect. This show isn't just about police cases that Peter and Caine become involved in, it is also about a father and son's relationship. They learn to become family again and learn from each other.

I liked the relationship between Caine and Peter. The actors, David Carradine and Chris Potter have a nice chemistry together. I like the respect the father and son had for each other.

The other characters on the show actually become more interesting as the series progress. The show became more of an ensemble show as it progressed, but everything always comes back to Caine.

The show is fun, kinda hokey, makes Asian people look powerful, both in a good way and in a negative way. Asian people were never portrayed as powerful or exciting in TV or cinema during that time, and this was the only show that showed Asians that are not meek, or stupid.

This is a fun action show. I remembered it was a perfect way to spend an hour of TV watching on a Saturday afternoon.

I give this show a C++!

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7 out of 7 people found the following comment useful :-
Enjoyable show with good leads, 5 April 1999
Author: anonymous

I stumbled across KF:TLC quite accidently and was pleasantly surprised at what I originally thought would be your usual shoot 'em up type show. Instead what I found was a show that explored a father/son relationship in ways I hadn't seen done. Chris Potter is excellent as Peter Caine...I found myself instantly drawn to the character and able to relate to his conflicting emotions about the return of his father. Peter Caine is the character that kept me watching the show week after week and the show was blessed with a good supporting cast as well.

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8 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
The best TV-series since "Magnum, P.I.", 18 October 2000
Author: Erkki Lindpere (erkki@ttu.ee) from Tallinn, Estonia

One of the local channels just started airing this less than a month ago. They show it every workday night. I fully agree with the first comment here (by anonymous, 27 October 1998). At first, I thought it was lame, but after I had watched 1 or 2 episodes, I really began to like it and now I watch it every day if I have the chance. The most of all I like the character of Kwai Chang Caine. When fighting, he uses minimum violence to defeat his opponents, never kills them (at least I haven't seen it yet). He is kind and wise etc. I haven't seen the original series or the movies, but his character makes me want to see these too.

This IS one of the (very few) best series since "Magnum, P.I.", in my humble opinion. The similarity between Magnum and Kung Fu: TLC is that while both deal with action and fighting bad guys, their real focus is on human relations, friendship etc. And more - in Magnum, Tom Selleck fit the role so perfectly, that it was hard to believe this was acting. I think it is also true with David Carradine.

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6 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
Kung Fu: The Legend Continues balanaces fast-paced action with heart., 27 October 1998
Author: anonymous

I never thought I would like Kung Fu: The Legend Continues. Before I watched the series, my impression of the show was of a father and son fighting team that found new people to beat up every week. I admit, to my chagrin, that was my picture of 'martial arts' shows.

Then, by accident, I caught part of an episode where the father and son were hugging each other and the son was teary-eyed. Apparently, the son's mother died many years ago. I was drawn into the program, surprised to see this candid, emotional moment on screen. This was not what I expected.

After viewing a few more episodes, I became a true admirerer of Kung Fu: The Legend Continues. The father, Caine and his son, Peter, had been separated for 15 years thinking each other dead. The large story arc traces their road to reconciliation. While the two must struggle to understand each other and make amends for past grievances, there are external obstacles mirroring their inner obstacles. Through this turmoil, the show balances fast-paced action with heart, humanity, healing and a helping of humor.

I also admire the way the show deals with violence. In the earlier episodes, Peter commonly used a gun in a dangerous situation while his father, Caine, tried to disarm hostiles without killing them. As the show progresses, Peter learns there is "another way" to deal with a dangerous situation than to go for a gun.

Kung Fu: The Legend Continues is a magical show with a positive, yet not syrupy, message of hope in the face of adversity. Here's hoping that the legacy of the Legend Continues.

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4 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
Enlightening and Worthwhile, 18 October 2006
10/10
Author: engage2 from N/A

This has to be one of the best shoes of its time. Kwai Chang Cain along with Raven and other martial arts weekly specials revolutionized television in the 90s. But this one in particular has more to it than fighting. Even today it has the same morals and lessons that you can use years later. Kung Fu the legend continues portrays the most touching themes between father and son, while adding some of the purest music of any show I've ever seen. The spirit of eastern philosophy is wrought throughout this series, despite what new challenges the duo face. For those of us who are not horror or violence enthusiasts, this show contains those elements in some of the occasional challenges the protagonists face, and it can end with a message or reflection on them. One such was the episode "The Possessed", where at the end Peter recalls to his father that he's never went up against anything like that, and the experience of going up against "real evil" to which he asks, "how'd we do?" to which Cain responds with a shrug of humility, "this time... we won." For those of you who also appreciate the art of reflection, there is a main reminiscence of the past in each episode that aids in the preparation or comprehension of some present event. The Shaolin Temple is shown to be the sanctuary from which the Cains developed their abilities and understanding of much more than can be found in society. Their memories of this are irreplaceable in the consistent survival of father and son, especially in the risky field of policing. It is mainly through his son's work that Kwai Chang Cain is able to track information on criminal activity and more. Sometimes, but less often, trouble finds its way to him.

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3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Great show and wished it was back on!, 17 January 2007
8/10
Author: ShelbyTMItchell from Seymour Tennessee

The show was great and with a great cast led by David Carradine and Chris Potter and a great supporting cast. The show wasn't about just martial arts and kicking the bad guys. But also on how you can handle situations without killing people and bringing them to justice. Peter who usually handles his situations with a gun learns the kung fu way throughout the show while Kwai Chang Caine tries to teach him those ways. After fifteen years apart, the father and son come together. As they must slowly but surely try to get along and work out their differences but other than that, they still show a love for one another. Great show and hope it comes back on. As I hope and pray that since TNT doesn't no longer have the show, hopefully it will come on like the Sci-Fi channel as it does employ some science fiction stuff.

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4 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL, 19 October 1999
Author: ALAN MOUNT from CARDIFF,WALES

Although far from an avid viewer of this show,I did enjoy those episodes I did see.The shows were fairly fast moving with good action and chartacterisation for the most part and despite the fact that Carradine's martial arts 'skills' were still less than perfect to watch the show was still considerably better than the hoary original not least because it contained about ten times more fight action.The show is now dead and the franchise should be left that way but nevertheless its 90's incarnation offers more than enough excitement to those with an hour to kill in front of their living room screen.

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