Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

The more/longer is it just a fantasy kung fu fairy tale rather than a Marvel movie, the better it is. What works throughout is the dynamics and likeability of the Leung/Awkwafina duo, the solid action choreography by Marvel standards (a sort of "post-Western wu-sia"), and, wonder of wonders, even a charismatic villain with understandable motivations. In the second half, things get a bit sketchy, because the writers don't know what to do with Awkwafina's character, and so she's turned into "Mulan Sue" out of nowhere, and the sister, who would work as a supporting character, is unjustifiably shoved into the foreground, where the creators have nothing for her. Also, the humour that has worked up to that point is killed by the overuse of a joke with an unnamed (non)actor and his sidekick. All the Marvel moments (characters, references, events) are incorporated, but they are kind of broken over both knees (except for the successful first meeting scene). It is then crowned with a downward trend of CGI kaiju shenanigans during the final act, which is a great shame, because it takes away from the solid choreography. What keeps the final act afloat, on the other hand, is the likeability of the new characters and the passable personal/emotional level. Still one of the best Marvel movies to take on an original character and introduce them to the world. (19/10/2021)

The most interesting thing about this film is how (well) it connects to the entire universe. Otherwise, it's an thoroughly generic Marvel movie that, while it takes place in a novel setting, is basically nothing special in itself. Decent fight scenes and an air of family drama are definite pluses here, but somehow I'm already feeling a slight fatigue after 25 MCU movies. [65%] (02/09/2021)

A likeable and easily digestible advertisement for the East and all that is good about it. A philosophically and artistically easier to grasp version of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Smart, unpretentious, with a focus on family values until the final few minutes, when it becomes another one of Marvel’s CGI fests about saving the world. The humour is alright and some of the action scenes are fantastic. The visual effects are a bit weaker, but it’s still watchable entertainment that, unlike other “secondary” Marvel flicks, can be sipped like good lemonade. (18/12/2021)

Marvel has gone the route of exploiting Eastern Asian culture and I would not mind if the final product was entertaining or at least interesting to the audience. This movie is neither. I got tired of live-action CGI comic book nonsense a long time ago, and Tony Leung and a few pretty choreographed scenes is not going to change that, unfortunately. (08/05/2022)

The low-key Shang-Chi is actually the son of the leader of the world's largest criminal organization. And even though he's been hiding from his daddy for ten years, he must now return to the world he's been running from for so long. But the family reunion won't be entirely joyful, and beings not of our world will have a say in it. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings surprises with its fast pace, likeable hero and great action in its first half. Unfortunately, the closer the film gets to its conclusion, the more it relies on visual effects and it becomes clear that director Destin Daniel Cretton may have bitten off a bit too big a bite. Overall, this is a fine Marvel film peppered with Chinese mythology that offers exactly what you expect when you buy tickets to see it. (02/09/2021)