Is Shang-Chi a Bad Movie? - Response to The Critical Drinker

[@seandodd6925]

Wow! what a well reasoned and surgical argument, very nice.

[@TheInfamousJosh]

Excellent commentary as always. I definitely have become more jumpy about messages stuffed into movies and have been avoiding seeing this one because it looks like some sort of Communist China propaganda. Always a pleasure to see some even handed commentary. Once it's available on Disney+ I'll definitely give it a watch.

[@junethanoschurchill6750]

Would a Chinese propaganda film get banned in China? Cause this one did. When is an Asian-led film going to come out without people automatically jumping to that ignorant conclusion?

[@cindymmm11]

Shang chi is a fantastic movie. 5/5

[@kaizl9537]

Deserve to be viewed and more

[@karlarrington5362]

Good review, I haven't seen the movie but this wasn't a spoiler for me. I knew the movie wouldn't follow the comic I read in the 70's and 80's.

[@PeterParker-ff7ub]

it depends on what you like.

[@theflapjack637]

Some of your excuses for the rougher parts of the script require knowledge outside of what the movie conveys Which cements it’s weakness. Its status as a kung fu movie doesn’t give shang-chi a pass when viewed critically either.

[@st.johnthephilosopher1087]

Not sure what parts you mean. All I did was expound on things that were either spoken about or shown by the film, but don't misunderstand. I found the movie to be pretty weak as well. I just don't think it was as bad as Drinker made it out to be.

[@theflapjack637]

@@st.johnthephilosopher1087 Hello, I’m speaking specifically in regard to your characterization of Xialing. It relies on outside information or preexisting knowledge. The movie should be informing you on their character nothing else and in this case I feel it did a poor job. It tells us she is an intelligent, calculating leader but shows us something completely different. My second point was in regards to your dismissal of certain criticisms citing the movies status as a kung fu movie. I think this point holds water until it comes time for a serious critique and we have to ask ourselves “are these strong story elements or are they contrivances” These are the only areas where I found myself disagreeing though. I felt that the rest of your review was measured and insightful. Also thank you for the chance to speak on it I enjoy the opportunity to discuss these things in detail.

[@lucaskopke6886]

Your video was great up until you skipped the part where he talks about the mandarin and how his “magical bulshit pet” had the directions trough the forest all along, how the mandarin himself can randomly be the one person who understands the animal that is responsible for taking them trough the forest, plus it is said that shangs sister escaped the cell by the exact same cave passage before, wouldn’t it be logical for it to be blocked off or at least heavily guarded. Oh your explanation for why girl beats boy is pretty forced as this isn’t a normal kung fu movie it has marvel magic and everything that comes with being part of this universe so shangs father losing the first battle makes no sense as in he has one of earth’s most powerful artifacts and has thousands of years of fighting experience and probably has faced many opponents that used the “paper fight style” and beat them (and they never explain how and why only his mom and aunt can do the magical wind dance bullcrap. why wouldn’t everyone in the village be able to do it, plus how does it even work). Shang shi’s final act reminds me of kung fu panda 3 but the difference is, kung fu panda takes time to develop the village and it’s inhabitants so instead of having the final act take place in ta lo cut half of the unnecessary stuff in the middle and get them there faster.

[@tuvyamaeir4684]

Hearing the two of you back to back, I'm agreeing with the Drinker more often than not, or just seeing things as 'you liked it, you didn't, so what'. A few examples... "Where did the rings come from?" It matters because they end up being the MacGuffin capable of both freeing the Dweller-in-Darkness and the one thing able to kill it. And time devoted to where he got the rings, or perhaps hints as to why it does what it does in order to uphold a mystery, would better serve the plot in place of a number of other scenes. "Strong Female Character #1/2/3" I agree that Ying Li wasn't a good example of the problem he's pointing out and I'd even argue Ying Nan wasn't either. But Xu Xiailing is a ridiculously valid one and the fact that they still put all three in prominence doesn't help any of their cases. Plus add Katy to the mix and...you get my point. "Xiailing shouldn't be this stupid" Yes she's unstable, but frankly, she doesn't PRESENT as such. They make her too capable to have those cracks or flaws make any sense.

[@JohnAnderson-rl3im]

bad timing for a China friendly movie...let it tank

[@l0singzanity1]

It's boring... not terrible but meh...

[@bridgetiswrong8684]

Great review! I enjoyed the movie well enough.

[@Furious316]

I disagree, it was very average at best. Phase 4 has been An unmitigated disaster thus far.

[@emptyblank099a]

Nah

[@rickyrackey7930]

Cope

[@grandmasterdemax5088]

Of course a critical drinker fan would say this

[@Furious316]

That’s a little presumptuous. And also very weak argument