Updated: Dec 10, 2021
Welcome back you everyone. It is I, Doc Comeau and it's been an additional week, but we are back for another movie review. Today we are reviewing Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. A movie currently being called the number one movie in the world.
Authored by Doc Comeau on Monday, September 27th, 2021 at 4:53 PM EST
A Chinese American runaway, his sister and his friend must defend his mother's village from demons that want to consume everyone's soul. Demons released by his father and his army of assassins. The demons that were imprisoned by a the village's Guardian generations
I have never heard of the director of this film before, but he did not disappoint, The attention to detail Destin Daniel Cretton brought to the control and coordinating of the spectacular fight scenes is a credit to his skill. I look forward to seeing more of his work the future.
Next we have Simu Liu, who portrays the role of Shang-Chi. A role he would not have if he didn't keep messaging Marvel until they agreed to make the film. As expected from a fan of the comic character Simu bring the character to life. Like he jumped right out of the comics onto the Big Screen
His best friend and trusted sidekick Katy is played by Nora Lum, better known as Awkwafina. Katy follows her friend Shang-Chi on his trip to reconcile his past and make amends for his past. Katy's character was the life and soul of the film. It would not be the same without Awkwafina's unique brand of comedy.
Shang-Chi's sister and fellow martial warrior is portrayed by Meng'er Zhang. Not much is revealed about this character, but it is clear her fighting abilities exceed that of her brother. Talent that is revealed has been completely self taught.
Shang-Chi's father and the film's villain is portrayed by Tony Leung Chiu. Xu Wenwu is an immortal warlord with being affinity for the use of ten magical rings. He spends the film trying to restore his estranged family to go to the mystical village of his wife's birth and open the gate containing the soul eating demons in the hope of being reunited with his dead wife
Shang-Chi is the highest rated movie in the world at the moment. It has a "Critic Score" of "92" out of "288 reviews" and an "Audience Score" of "98" out of "10,000+ reviews." It's unusual for the critics and the audience to be this close on a review. I don't think I ever seen this since I started actively reviewing film. It doesn't surprise me with a movie being called the best film on Earth.
CRITICS CONSENSUS
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings isn't entirely free of Marvel's familiar formula, but this exciting origin story expands the MCU in more ways than one - Rotten Tomatoes
AUDIENCE SAYS
Shang-Chi covers new cultural ground for the MCU without losing any of the action, comedy, and emotion Marvel's movies are known for. - Rotten Tomatoes
This film was one of the best films I have seen in a long time. I was glad it was the first one I seen after returning to the theaters for the first time since this global mess started. I give this movie a 9 out 10. The martial arts focus made this seem different than the average superhero movie despite following the same general plot points. I would recommend seeing this in the theater and not on Disney +.
I give this movie a 9 out 10. The martial arts focus made this seem different than the average superhero movie despite following the same general plot points. I would recommend seeing this in the theater and not on Disney +. - Doc Comeau
The story did not drastically deviate from the formula Marvel and other superhero movies use to tell their tale. However, it still manages to seem more like a traditional Kung-fu film. A change that benefits the movie and makes it more enjoyable than most films over the last few years.
Shang-Chi is the story of the son of an immortal warlord who must return to the world he run away from in order to protect his mother's Homeland and the rest of the world from soul eating demons released by his father's refusal to accept his mother's death. A task he accomplishes with the help of his sister, his best friend, his aunt and giant dragon that guards the seal keeping the creatures locked away. A task only made possible by his father sacrificing his life after realizing his mistake and giving his power the ten magical rings that sustain his immortality to his son in the hope he can use the to stop the creatures and save the world.
This movie was another example of why the MCU movies need to have and underlying layer of comedy like Thor Ragnarok started. The movies in this universe that have this layer of comedy are superior and Shang-Chi is no different. This layer of comedy combined with the traditional sensationalized Martial Arts combat of more traditional Kung-fu films made this movie the number one movie in the world despite China banning it for a reason. I would give the story and screenplay of Shang Chi an 8 out of 10.
This layer of comedy combined with the traditional sensationalized Martial Arts combat of more traditional Kung-fu films made this movie the number one movie in the world despite China banning it for a reason. I would give the story and screenplay of Shang Chi an 8 out of 10. - Doc Comeau
The performances in this movie were all phenomenal. There was not a weak link in the whole cast, but the chemistry between Simu and Awkwafina made the film. This film would not have been as successful if they cast anyone else to fill these important roles.
The two of them have a dynamic that truly makes you feel like they really have been best friends for years. Shang-Chi brings a carefree attitude to martial arts films and Awkwafina's comedy carried the film. Honestly, even if Awkwafina was the only one removed from the film the movie would of tanked. She was the MVP of this film.
For instance, no matter the circumstance Katy was always cracking jokes. There was this on the scene in which Katy and Shang are telling a story of how they met where Katy disoriented attackers by randomly singing rock music. Something she later did to survive an attack from Shang's father's assassins. It's hard to give the performance justice through words, so I would recommend seeing this film for yourself if you haven't already.
I don't give perfect scores often because there are usually some flaws in everything, but this time I couldn't find any. The performances and dialogue in this film was 100% on point. I would have to give this section of the film a 10 out of 10.
I don't give perfect scores often because there are usually some flaws in everything, but this time I couldn't find any. The performances and dialogue in this film was 100% on point. I would have to give this section of the film a 10 out of 10. - Doc Comeau
This is one of the places Shang-Chi thrives as a film. The sensationalized fighting of traditional Kung-fu films combined with the wholesome family atmosphere of the Marvel movies combined into one hell of a film for the whole family to enjoy. If you love Martial Arts films, but don't like Superhero movies, you can still enjoy this film. However, if you are a Superhero film fan, but don't like Martial Arts films this may not be the one for you.
Shang-Chi was first and foremost a Martial Arts film. There was not a scene in the film that involved fighting that did not contain the over choreographed fighting sequences of your traditionally Martial Arts focused film aside from the small exchanges that drive the movie forward into the next fight sequence. A change that fits well with its placement into Marvel's magical heroes.
This movie is so good I tried to avoid spoilers even in this section of the review. There were a few I couldn't avoid, but I would still recommend you go see this film. I give the Cinematography of this film a 9 out of 10. I could of used less fights with mystical beasts and more martial arts so I had to deduct a point from this section.
I give the Cinematography of this film a 9 out of 10. I could of used less fights with mystical beasts and more martial arts so I had to deduct a point from this section. - Doc Comeau
Shang-Chi was the perfect film to mark my return to the Box Office. It combined two of my favorite things, martial arts and superhero stories. Though modern comics are getting a bit too propagandized for my liking. I seriously recommend dropping the $30 and going to the theater to watch this film.
1) IMDb.com. (2021, September 3). Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. IMDb. Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9376612/.
Archived at; https://archive.ph/hhNGp
2) Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Rotten Tomatoes. (n.d.). Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/shang_chi_and_the_legend_of_the_ten_rings.
Archived at; https://archive.ph/42O9l
