Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

The story was riddled with holes and plot issues. Since when does Awkwafina's pedestrian character all of a sudden get invited to become part of the MCU team? What's her super power... stupidity? Don't get me wrong, I love her, but her character was lazily written. Then there's the whole daddy issues dynamic - Shang is with him, then against, then with etc.. Then we have these ridiculous dragons fighting, where one scores some power crystals and becomes stronger! This is just infantile lazy writing. There was zero shock value or anything spectacular in the entire runtime, with tedious long middle acts and a bumbling third act. The jokes were cliched and not funny. The funniest parts were Ben Kingsley's character, (of whom was in this for what reasons??) and the ending to go Karaoke - which was the only time I actually cracked a chuckle. You'd think with three writers we'd have something cohesive and coherent. But instead of a Marvel superhero story, we got a Disney evil vs good with dragons thrown into the mix. It's as if they tried too hard to create the Asian version of Black Panther.

It's a shame, because the directing and cinematography were spot on, and great S/VFX - although a little overboard with the CGI i.e. Dragons. The martial arts choreography was outstanding (although again, overboard after the awesome bus scene), and the casting and performances were excellent, especially Leung, who pretty much carried the film on his shoulders. It's a 7/10 from me.

Watched the IMAX version! Best solo since Iron Man (2008)! I had no expectations of this before. But the movie is much more lively. Enjoyed every moment. And also very engaging from start to finish. A kinda Cute-Action movie with some fun stuff!

This is the first movie that focuses more on martial arts than Marvel's superpower thing. Love to see a mix of Marvel's MASTER-LEVEL-CGI with Martial art. Kung-Fu with this kind of visual effect! Marvel nailed it again.

I've always loved Marvel's casting. Katy is too perfect for her role. Loved her chemistry with Shaun. Also laughed out loud at her childish stuffs.

Just one thing, not a big deal, the action scene of 'Dragon Riding' doesn't fit into the usual Marvel movie. But as Chinese flavor, it is OK. Except for this, the cinematography and VFX are a lot mesmerizing!

This was just a lot of fun. The story wasn't as tight as it could have been, but I found myself enjoying the whole movie regardless. The fight choreography was bangin', and all the action was just very well directed. Everything felt purposeful and exhilarating. The beginning of the movie feels like a straight-up martial arts movie and then as it progresses we get more and more fantasy elements working their way in which felt like a nice contrast. The music definitely felt like it added a lot here. I kept being reminded of how mixing different elements in with the more traditional orchestrated sounds really worked for Black Panther's soundtrack, and I honestly think this film did it even better. I think that, all in all, this is probably the best thing Marvel has produced since Endgame.

Overall this movie exceeded my expectations. I wish I had gone to see it in theatres because visually, this movie is stunning. All the fight scenes, especially the ending would have looked even cooler on the big screen.

But stepping back and thinking about the actual story, it's kind of random, predictable at times and I'm not seeing how they're going to incorporate it into the rest of the MCU.

The other thing is the fight scenes: the choreography, the cinematography, the effects, they were great, and I think they knew that, so they took advantage of it. During the first half of the movie there would be a new fight scene every fifteen minutes that looked fantastic, but seemed to last just a bit too long.

All in all I liked it. The acting was pretty good, the pacing was reasonable, the soundtrack was unique and the visual effects were a strongpoint It was a good movie.

*Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings* is a significant step forward for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, offering a fresh perspective and a rich cultural tapestry. The film introduces a new hero, Shang-Chi, and explores the mythology of the Ten Rings with a blend of action, humor, and emotional depth.

Simu Liu delivers a charismatic performance as Shang-Chi, capturing the character's internal conflict and journey of self-discovery. Awkwafina's comedic timing provides a welcome counterbalance to the film's more serious moments. However, the film's supporting characters, while competent, lack the same depth and complexity as the protagonists.

The film excels in its action sequences, blending martial arts with traditional superhero fare. The bus fight scene is a standout, showcasing the characters' skills and creativity. The introduction of the magical realm of Ta Lo brings a sense of wonder and mythology to the story, expanding the MCU's cosmic scope.

While the film's exploration of Chinese culture and mythology is commendable, it occasionally feels superficial. The mythology surrounding the Ten Rings is intriguing but could have been explored in greater depth. Additionally, the romantic subplot between Shang-Chi and Katy feels underdeveloped and somewhat forced.

Despite these shortcomings, *Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings* is a promising addition to the MCU. The film's exploration of family dynamics and the complexities of intergenerational trauma is a refreshing departure from the typical superhero fare. With its strong action sequences and charismatic lead performance, the film offers a solid foundation for future installments.