From the opening scene to the
present-day scene introducing Sean and Katy you know you're in for a
treat. Also, much of the beginning of the film is Chinese with
English subtitles, giving the film authenticity and this does
continue through the film quite a bit, Something I was surprised at.
From a spectacle point of view, Shang
Chi is a wonderful-looking film with rich colours and each set piece
reflects the time and regions it's set in. Xu's Ten Rings compound is
dark and gritty and he rules it as a hard taskmaster, something Tony
Leung pulls of brilliantly.
Some of the scenes here look straight
out of a Mortal Kombat game, you really could be in Outworld here.
In contrast, the American city is just
like any other Marvel Universe film, you half expect to see Spiderman
coming to the rescue in some of the scenes.
The pairing of Simi Liu and Awkwafina
is really good here, The rap star and actress is as comical as they
come and she gets some stand out lines and gags which are truly
funny, while Simi looks on in amazement, her lines are so well
delivered, it's as if she was ad-libbing throughout.
When the two travel to Macau to meet
his sister Xialing played by Meng'er Zhang in her first major role is
another contrast with a more cyberpunk look going on. Here again, we
are treated to more fight action. The independent Xialing appears to
be cold at heart but you're warm to her quickly.
It's also in this cyberpunk world that
you see a familiar character from the Marvel Universe and that of
Wong from the Dr. Strange movie, played by British actor Benedict
Wong.
The world of Ta Lo is one of a bygone
age, a world of mythical beasts and a people who live a peaceful life
but one with caution as they are the keepers of the Dragon Gate.
The Dragon Gate holds a dark secret of
the past, an evil which the Ta Lo people protect. It's here your meet
Ying Nan ( Michele Yeoh) a guardian of Ta Lo and Aunt to Shang Chi
and Xialing.
Also, fans of Hong Kong cinema of the
70s and 80s will be pleased to see one of the Seven Little Fortunes,
the legendary Yuen Wah ( Kung Fu Hustle / Iceman Cometh ) he turns up
as the character Guang Bo an elder leader and weapons instructor.
I just love this guy he is so iconic
in action cinema, and for those not in the know, he was Bruce Lee's
stunt double as he shared a similar physique to Lee. And if you
haven't seen his performance in films like Eastern Condors, Dragons
Forever, and Bury Me High then you should.
Now the important thing is, what about
the fight action?
Well, this is where Shang Chi exceeds
expectations, no American film has come this close to the
hyper-kinetic fight action of those Hong Kong films since say
Forbidden Kingdom with Jackie Chan and Jet Li.
The answer to this is one Bradley
Allan, former head of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team and independent
fight choreographer and director. I say former as sadly on the 7th
of August 2021 Bradley Allan passed away after a short illness which
apparently brought on a heart attack.
Bradley was one of the best Martial
artists the world had, he had trained in Wushu in Bejing as well as
other arts over the years and earned a place in Jackie Chan's Stunt
Team of which he became the head off.
What's sad is he was only 48 years old
at his passing. If you want to see why this film has such great
action scenes, watch any Jackie Chan film, but above all watch,
Jackie Chan's ''Gorgeous'' where Jackie goes up against Bradley Allan
is one of the best onscreen fights you will ever watch. Also, the
same film features Tony Leung Chiu Wai as the antagonist.
Bradley Allan's choreography lets the
cast shine, Tony Leung gets to bust some shapes and Michele Yeoh
shows her true form here in the depiction of some classical Kung Fu.
But credit, where credit is due Simi Liu, is blistering as Shang Chi,
the action is shot wide and long showing the moves to their fullest.
Fluidity and movement are captured epically while Shang Chi uses all
manner of weapons from sticks to chairs and more, just like your find
in a classic Jackie Chan movie.
It's this freedom of movement and
grounding shown that makes Shang Chi a marvelous film showcasing
Oriental arts at their fullest, with more style and form than
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, and the Director Destin Daniel Cretton
should be commended for the portrayal and allowing Bradley Allan to
just go with it.
All in all the many foot soldiers of
the Ten Rings clan and the Ta Lo people were talented and got to
shine in many ways. From Meng'er Zhang's Xialing character to the Ten
Rings henchmen like Razor Fist played by Florian Munteanu.
Add in the special effects of ancient
beasts, Dragons, which are a staple of oriental mythology, and Shang
Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a must see not just for fans
of the Marvel Universe, but fans of classic fight action as it has it
in bucket loads.
If you could smell it would enlighten
your nose with a fragrant scent of being reborn into a new world.
Of note, the Filmmakers and directors
have dedicated the film to the memory of Bradley Allan.
The true unseen hero of this film.
Review Date: 06-09-2021
Review By: Sertes Nake
