Shang-Chi

This Marvel universe superhero origin story hit the Disney+ market a few days ago. I haven’t posted a review of it until now because it has the highest possible movie critic and audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. What could I possibly add to that? Nothing, of course.

Susan and I both enjoyed this movie. The first time we stayed up until 3AM to watch the closing credits – it’s worth your time to do that, by the way. The second time, we watched it the following evening just to make sure that we had caught the main Easter Eggs and recognized the subtle references. I’m sure that we still missed a few.

The story is set sometime after “The Blip” – when Thanos made half of the living things in the Universe disappear. Whether it is set after End Game, is not as clear to me; if you figure it out, please let me know. The story calls upon a couple of minor but memorable characters from prior Marvel Universe movies, and they both contribute materially to the plot line.

This, like other Marvel universe stories is a tale built on archetypes. Not only archetypal characters like the King, the Knight, and the Magician, but archetypal conflicts too – children versus parents, old ideas versus new, and the old stand-by of good versus evil. The story is set on Earth – first, in San Francisco and subsequently, in Macao. But, it is also set in the legendary realm of Ta Lo – a place in a parallel dimension to our own where a 4,000 year old civilization has thrived unaffected by our own silly doings. There are yet other dimensions not entirely indifferent or beneficent to Ta Lo or to Earth. The good guys are very good, and the bad guys are – let’s just say it, awful.

This is a movie about coming of age, facing challenges that we would rather not have to face, enduring loss and tragedy, and also kicking ass. It recalls a bit of Star Wars “The Empire Strikes Back,” I think. I’m not going to say more because I want you to be as surprised and delighted when you see it as we were. You’re welcome.

If I were to give it a Rotten Tomatoes score, it would be well beyond 95%. I hope that you think so as well. Oh, and I was left wondering whether Dr. Banner and Captain Marvel might have a “thing” going on that we don’t know about. Susan allows as how Captain Marvel may be non-binary. Why the hell not?