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Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings | Full Watch Along | Patreon Exclusive

This one definitely took me by surprise in the best ways. From the very beginning it felt different. Kind of like Marvel just let a story really breathe for once. The wisdom running throughout the entire movie hit me in all the feels. There were many times I caught myself trying to choke back the tears and lump in my throat. I really resonated with the beautiful constant balance between honoring the past and stepping into your own path. I love how much that theme really threaded itself through every character in its own way.

Shang-Chi himself is so grounded and relatable. He doesn't feel like he is destined for greatness, but instead that he is choosing it. Despite the pain that shaped him. Despite the mistakes. His father was honestly one of Marvel's most complex villains yet. You can feel his love, his loss, his pain, his evil. All of those gray areas made the conflict feel so much richer. I also couldn't help but notice the Ten Rings themselves giving me some major One Ring vibes (from Lord of the Rings lol). Maybe it's because I am currently reading through The Hobbit.. But it had me wondering: did the rings turn Wenwu dark? Or was the darkness always in him, just waiting for the power to feed it? It's interesting that they don't yet understand where they actually originated from.

The music, the fight choreography, the mythical creatures, the world building.. everything just worked. Even bringing Trevor back into the picture lol. It's easily one of the most alive films in the MCU to me and it really felt like a rare feeling of both excitement and peace. This movie really deepened the Marvel universe and I loved it for that!

Next up on the Superhero Odyssey Timeline: Eternals


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LINK: https://youtu.be/SwEp24Hb-iQ
I watched this on Disney+

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings | Full Watch Along | Patreon Exclusive

Comments

Oh yeah, forgot to mention, that guy on the bus who filmed the fight, who you said felt familiar? He was familiar to you because you saw the same character in another MCU movie - Spider-Man: Homecoming. He was the guy on the street who was like, "HEY! You're that Spider-Guy on Youtube, right? Do a flip!"

Dude Longcouch

Late to the party on this one. I'd never watched this movie because I'd always heard bad stuff, but here's a good lesson to always check it out for yourself. I thought this movie was great! I was really into it the entire time. I guess I would see why some people might not like it (I did think the plot could be a little hamfisted sometimes) but the stuff it does well, it does SO well. The characters were all likeable in their own ways and the OST was great. The choreography and cinematography were AMAZING. I really hope we see more of this part of the MCU, even if it's only in the form of appearances in other franchises. From what I just googled, it sounds like a full sequel was planned, but it's currently in development hell.

Dude Longcouch

So strange, never heard this before. Why would it be a turn off? Plenty of the other characters in the MCU use some form of martial arts, what's unrealistic about it? How could something so tied to the culture in the real world be "unrealistic" when these traditions go back centuries, in the real world? Seems more realistic than many of the other MCU characters inexplicable abilities, no? Why does this particular type of martial arts offend you and not what Black Widow does, or Black Panther? Sorry to inform you but, they definitely do martial arts. Kind of important for them.

Jake Follain

I am with you on the messages that it sent and had but I just cannot get past the martial arts part of it. Never been a fan of martial arts don't really care for it and it just seems so unrealistic to me in my opinion. I know that is a minority opinion but that's what I have. I have watched this a couple of times before now and this will probably be my last time watching it. Yeah the martial arts is just big turn off to me so I am glad you enjoyed it liked it and again I'm with you on the messages that it sent with family and all of that. I'm with you on this is your journey of these MCU movies and I agree totally that you should watch them all because they play a part of the bigger picture of the whole MCU. Each one is a snapshot of that so, yeah watch them all. I've said it from the beginning about movies that people don't like and try to tell you not to watch them. Even if somebody doesn't like the movie that doesn't mean it's not part of the bigger picture of MCU and there are things in it that play into other movies and are a part of other movies and the grand scheme of it so by all means please I hope you continue to watch them all. And like us on some of these movies there will be ones that you do not like or care for but it gives you a glimpse into other movies and when you watch other movies you can think back to those ones you didn't like and recall something in it that affects or is what part of the current movie you're watching so. I know I rambled on there but you get the idea LOL I am here for the Long Haul so glad to be part of the journey with you‼️‼️‼️

Paul T

It really was a beautiful movie full of so much love for culture and representation! The action, choreography, and music made it even more amazing on top of it all. Definitely a favorite of mine in the MCU so far for it's message and overall vibe. I didn't draw that connection to Abomination so thank you!!

Kali Wali

LOL I feel like this calls for the classic "I'm not crying, you're crying" line 🤣 This movie hit my soul too! There were so many times where I was just trying to choke back the tears because WOW. The visions back to his mother were so devastating and deep. Sheeeew. An emotional movie for sure! I'm glad you enjoyed the watchalong with me!

Kali Wali

I can definitely see that!

Kali Wali

Yes! I loved it for the same reasons, too. It felt very bold, fresh and beautiful from the MCU and I loved it for that!

Kali Wali

I really hope they end up expanding more on this storyline with that end credit scene! I need answers haha

Kali Wali

I think that would be fun after I get through my Superhero Odyssey!

Kali Wali

I loved it as well! It really took me by surprise with how fresh, exciting, and heartfelt it all was. And that makes a lot of sense about Bruce's arm now! Post Endgame yeahh.. And it really has been awhile since I've been in the timeline so it feels like eons ago haha. Thanks for clarifying! Sad to hear that the end credit scene doesn't have any further answers as of now in the MCU.. But hopefully since this did come out in 2021 they will bring him back in at some point and explain more about the Rings!

Kali Wali

I really loved it too!

Kali Wali

That's wild to think about

Kali Wali

Yes! I agree it felt really good to be back in an MCU film. The intro had me really excited because it really has been awhiiiile. And honestly this movie didn't disappoint and really surprised me as well! I absolutely loved it for all the same reasons. The love they put into the culture, heritage, tradition, modern vibes, while also still making it super hype! The fight choreography was SO good and the music that went along with it made it all feel so fresh and fun! And I totally felt those Cyberpunk vibes as well haha!

Kali Wali

I was thinking about doing a poll to see if people wanted me to watch it or just share my thoughts, but then I thought 'Eh. If people want to watch it they can! If not it's easy to skip my reaction to that but at least it'll be there just in case" 🤣 I'm glad you agree!

Kali Wali

I love how you broke down Tony Leung's arc!! You're right that he just says so much with his eyes alone. And that scene with his wife's vision absolutely wrecked me. I feel like I needed to suck in my tears a lot during this movie just because if I didn't, I'd probably be tearing up during all of it LOL. And I adore that Dutch saying! It really fits the movie's message perfectly. I get what you mean about the finale too. It almost didn't need to go that big when the emotions were already extremely powerful.. But it did haha. I really enjoyed this one a lot! Thanks for your thoughts!

Kali Wali

Yesss! I agree haha

Kali Wali

I was just about to say this myself, especially since The Joy Luck Club was my Movie Ticket Pick. Tsai Chin is a legend, and still kicking at 92. Here's hoping they can make Joy Luck Club 2 while she's still with us.

Andy Jordan

I personally loved this movie, because it was different and it had some great martial arts in it. It is one of my favorite post End Game movies. I thought the story was fresh and the acting was impressive, and it really grabbed my attention. Bruce Banner's arm is messed up in the post credit scene because of him snapping the Infinity Gauntlet in End Game. It's just been so long since you've seen it, that might have slipped your mind. Because of all the Marvel missteps with some of the shows and movies after End Game and all the readjusting they are doing to try and "fix" the MCU, I'm not sure that the end credit scene will apply to future films. It could end up being a hanging plot point although I do believe (but don't know for sure) that they are going to bring Shang Chi into future movie(s). I hope they do.

Lastboyscout73 (John)

Yeah, this is easily my favourite (non-Spider-Man) post-Endgame Marvel movie. It's really underrated in my opinion.

Malcolm Ferguson

Would you consider adding Hulk from 2003 also known as Ang Lee's Hulk to your watchlist? Although technically not part of the MCU. Because it was done by a different studio. Sure the CGI migth be a bit dated. But i'ts still the most comic book accurate Hulk film out there.

Noblegut

The post endgame stuff is very hit-or-miss, but this movie's really good. Still has that marvel magic where they introduce great new characters and settings to expand the universe into a new dimension. It stands on its own but still has tie-ins to other movies so we can start to guess at how these characters will be incorporated into the bigger picture.

dhz8771

I feel this was Marvel's love letter to Chinese Theater and Hong Kong cinema. Without which we wouldn't have many of the action movies we have today. Hopefully Shang Chi might have inspired some movie goers to look further into the genre themselves.

KJ

I love watching shows and movies with you, Kali, but holy cow 🥲 It's said you see and feel more in subsequent watches of thinks, but I've never been as emotional watching Shang-Chi (sh-awng BTW, like the vowel in song 😉) as I was here. Once they showed how the mom was killed, I couldn't stop leaking either, lol! I love the MCU, and this movie is always competing for my favorite #1 in my list. When they put their mind to it, Marvel really does make some of the best movies I've ever seen 👏 💕 Im glad I'm a sub on your Patreon so I could watch this with you (but stop making me cry so much, hehe, jk 😜🥰).

Jonathan Spahn

I love how surprisingly touching this movie is. Out of all of Marvel's sympathetic villains, Wenwu is highly underrated. Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh are legends in Hong Kong Cinema, and seeing them in a superhero movie is a treat.

Fred Aczon

I haven't watch this movie for so long and I forgot a lot of it... I forgot how much I loved it.

Amko Basic

Shang Chi has the power of the dragon and ten rings which makes him the most powerful cosmetic human. He beats the hulk world destroyer even rivals the Sentry and ultimate Thor

Mack

Yeah, this movie is one of my favorites on the MCU. As an Asian-American, seeing some more representation was nice, and I connected with the family dynamic. Add onto it some great action and a breath of fresh air into the MCU and it’s one I enjoy rewatching. Kali, not sure if you connected that Wong’s opponent in the ring was Abomination (who fought Edward Norton’s Hulk in Incredible Hulk). Also, Bruce’s arm was hurt when he snapped in Endgame (he was wearing a sling by the end as well).

Ian Forbes

Agreed! People preempt reactors too much with their personal opinions that they established years ago, back when it originally released. Things change, people have different experiences, let people find things out for themselves lol

Kenji Kita

This one really took me by surprise, and I loved it! Growing up on Bruce Lee films, I'm always a sucker for a good martial arts movie haha, so I loved the blend of culture, heritage, and tradition, with modern / mystical tech! Kind of gave me Black Panther vibes in that way too. And the entire family dynamic of the story was so powerful It felt so good to be back in the MCU movie world, yet at the same time this also didn't feel like your typical Marvel movie either, and I loved that. Now I'm really interested to see how Shang-Chi will be involved in the future of the MCU! Also, got a lot of Cyberpunk vibes from the first half of this movie, and I think a lot of that was from the music haha. Especially the bus fight scene! It just put me back in Night City with those heavy industrial-beat vibes

M1 Maz

I don't understand why some people try to convince you that this movie is overrated. And this one. And the next one. Etc. It's a bit unfair to approach subsequent MCU productions with this attitude. There's a risk that people will try to impose their opinion on you, don't you think? For example, I personally didn't like “No Way Home” at all (a purely calculated corporate work), although the rest of your supporters will probably disagree. I just hope that you will watch all future productions with a clear conscience and form your own opinion after seeing them.

Łukasz Jarczewski

I am very happy you've decided to share your reaction to Eternals. I'm looking forward to it!

Onno Smits

I really love this movie. I think Tony Leung does such a good job playing the villain. You really can see how he started very power-hungry and evil. Love changed him to good. And then grief corrupted him again. He does so much with very few lines of dialog. I especially like that scene where he "sees" a vision of his wife in his study, just before we get to the final battle, and just the grief in his eyes. And you also see "Razorfist" notice it and feel bad for him. It's a mark of a great Marvel movie if you can empathize with the villains. One of my favourite sayings in my native language (Dutch) is "Nooit geschoten is altijd mis.", which means; "If you never fire, you always miss." And here in this movie they say "If you aim at nothing, you hit nothing." Some of the best things in my life are because of following that philosophy. I'm right there with you; The fight choreography, the sound design, the music, the cinematography, it really works well together in this film. My one gripe is the finale. This is such an intimate and beautiful story about love and grief, strenght and compassion, yin and yang. I really didn't think it needed a Dragon vs Mega-Soulsucker battle to come in to the third act. It could have been less "epic" and still land.

Onno Smits

I thought Awkwafina was very funny in this one 😄

Robert da Spruce

Katy's grandma was in "The Joy Luck Club" as Auntie Lindo, the mom who scammed her way out of a horrible marriage situation and then had power issues with her chess-playing daughter.

Inhonor Oftrip

Just got my dinner. Perfect timing.

FigLeaf Bicarbonate

Oh time to get my headphones ! Let’s gooo

Phil Tilly

Yes! 👏 just settling in to watch.

David Olden

Oh no haha! Well, we're all entitled to our own opinions. But this one definitely moved through me in beautiful ways!

Kali Wali

Is it really??? That's awesome and a really crazy coincidence haha

Kali Wali

Appropriate since today is the 1-year anniversary of when you started with Iron Man.

Richard

I'm always glad when someone enjoys something even if I don't! 😃 To me, this was too generic, too safe and the plot relied too heavily on things happening for happening sake. Doesn't help that the lead actor is quite insufferable, lol.

Fandom Crusader


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