Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 3D Blu-ray (2021) [Region Free]

[cdx47]

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

Exactly! Nitpicking like this is just an excuse one uses when one doesn't really want to have fun.

I enjoyed the film and had fun. I can't wait to get the 3D disc, mux the Atmos track and watch it again. So now what?

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

I saw the movie more than 14 times in the theater and had a blast each and every time. Every character is great and well thought-out. Every major character has a meaningful arc, which is a lot more than I expected and it definitely adds to the sense of a very nice and layered story, I really do want to see more not just of Shang-Chi, but also about Katy and Xialing. They are some of the best and most interesting characters in the MCU now.

You enjoyed the film and so did I and I'm not looking for an argument but you can't have it both ways. You can't say that it looked "real" to you and when it is pointed at that it isn't, then agree with someone who says that it isn't. Of course it isn't "real" but it needs to be at least somewhat believable and make some sort of sense in order to help the viewer suspend belief.

There's always going to be issues, all of these films have flaws, but the strength of the MCU is the character relationships and Shang-chi has everything you need to continue that trend. The father is sympathetic, a top tier villain up there with Killmonger, Loki and Thanos. The mother was an initially mysterious then strong yet empathetic force. The relationship between Shang-chi and his sister is great and with a bit of thought and less worry about messaging should have been the heart of the story. With a bit of thought, Akwafina's lucky intervention could have been actually been lucky and therefore more believable.

So as you can see, I agree that there are a lot of positives, definitely more than negatives. But what annoys me is that the few negatives in the film were self inflicted because of outside pressures rather than oversight.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by cdx47

You enjoyed the film and so did I and I'm not looking for an argument but you can't have it both ways. You can't say that it looked "real" to you and when it is pointed at that this is far from the case, then agree with someone who says that it isn't. Of course it isn't "real" but it needs to be at least somewhat believable in order to help suspend belief.

Now you are just being obtuse. Yes, it seems more than good enough for this kind of movie precisely because I know what kind of movie I'm watching... I'm aware I'm not watching a documentary and I adjust my expectations accordingly, these are characters based on comic books. Which of course have a reality all of their own. But within those ground rules, the characters are developed in a very believable and even fascinating way.

One simply does not go into an MCU movie - or any popcorn movie - expecting a documentary. That's clearly not a realistic expectation.

[cdx47]

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

Now you are just being obtuse. Yes, it seems more than good enough for this kind of movie precisely because I know what kind of movie I'm watching... I'm aware I'm not watching a documentary and I adjust my expectations accordingly, these are characters based on comic books. Which of course have a reality all of their own. But within those ground rules, the characters are developed in a very believable and even fascinating way.

One simply does not go into an MCU movie - or any popcorn movie - expecting a documentary. That's clearly not a realistic expectation.

and yet you said....

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

I think all of the characters were excellently developed, they all felt very real and well-thought out, considering all of the main characters are new to the screen.

So as I said, I'm not trying to provoke an argument, but you can't have it both ways. You said they felt "real". Of course they "have a reality all of their own" but there still has to be some logical coherence within their "reality". A partially skilled 16 year old boy or girl is not going to end up where she did without a coherent backstory. What's said is that it wouldn't have taken much to do exactly that, The same applies to the lucky shot. But the messaging was more important and that's what is annoying.

So let's just leave it at we both enjoyed the film but I can see where outside influences outweighed story coherence.

[morphinapg]

Saying a character felt real can often mean they are believable within the universe created for the story

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by morphinapg

Saying a character felt real can often mean they are believable within the universe created for the story

[thestrangestick]

Originally Posted by morphinapg

Saying a character felt real can often mean they are believable within the universe created for the story

I only saw the movie once in the cinema (excited for my Japanese release to arrive this month though!) and I definitely thought the characters were quite well fleshed out. Shang-Chi’s sister, from memory, was denied martial arts training from their mentor figure, so taught herself. That isn’t unrealistic, if anything if shows that she achieved the same skills with less resources, so she potentially has more power or aptitude for martial arts than her brother, and makes the tease in the post credits scene all the more interesting.

And BluBonnet, respect to you for talking about how this movie subverts toxic masculinity etc in a forum inhabited by some really crusty gremlins lol

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by thestrangestick

That isn’t unrealistic, if anything if shows that she achieved the same skills with less resources, so she potentially has more power or aptitude for martial arts than her brother, and makes the tease in the post credits scene all the more interesting.

Agree with that completely! She's more of a badarse because of all she was able to accomplish on her own. I'm also looking forward to her next adventures as much (or even more!) than Shang-Chi's

[mrtibbs]

Originally Posted by Tober27

There are some, very few, players that can play an external subs file from a USB during disc playback. If possible, that'd be the ultimate way.

I'm hoping my Panasonic can support that feature ..I think I can get the "idea" without needing subs since i've seen it before ..but I'm showing it to some friends who haven't seen it before so they might miss out

[Tober27]

Originally Posted by mrtibbs

I'm hoping my Panasonic can support that feature ..I think I can get the "idea" without needing subs since i've seen it before ..but I'm showing it to some friends who haven't seen it before so they might miss out

Some Panasonics can be patched to do it. I have 2 different Panasonic players that as far as I've seen cannot and am a bit disappointed. Happy if anyone wants to help me out with that.

Unless you're going to turn them on and off throughout, I'd say it better to leave the English subs on throughout the movie, especially for new viewers, than to have none at all.
If the 3D release doesn't use the IMAX version you can move them outside the frame, which is a little better.

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

Agree with that completely! She's more of a badarse because of all she was able to accomplish on her own. I'm also looking forward to her next adventures as much (or even more!) than Shang-Chi's

And while Shang-Chi stayed fit after leaving, I doubt he kept up his training to the intense level Xialing would have for those years.

[cdx47]

Originally Posted by Tober27

And while Shang-Chi stayed fit after leaving, I doubt he kept up his training to the intense level Xialing would have for those years.

Yet I don't see the same character issues with Hope Van Dyne, Natasha Romanoff, Shuri or even Carol Danvers and her film was definitely a message film. Her problem wasn't so much the character as it was Brie Larson. Personally I thought the attitude worked for the character but a lot of people just didn't warm to her. Anyway all this effort you are expending on speculation and justification could have been put to bed with just a modicum of effort and less worry about messaging. As much as I like the film overall I'm not going to turn a blind eye to lazy messaging covering for actual character development.

I've already asked that we should leave this discussion where it is. You like the film, I like the film. But I see the film in context of a larger Hollywood problem. Cool, let's move on.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by Tober27

And while Shang-Chi stayed fit after leaving, I doubt he kept up his training to the intense level Xialing would have for those years.

I think you're absolutely right. And her character definitely elevates the movie and makes it a much better and more balanced narrative.

[Tober27]

Originally Posted by cdx47

Yet I don't see the same character issues with Hope Van Dyne, Natasha Romanoff, Shuri or even Carol Danvers and her film was definitely a message film. Her problem wasn't so much the character as it was Brie Larson. Personally I thought the attitude worked for the character but a lot of people just didn't warm to her. Anyway all this effort you are expending on speculation and justification could have been put to bed with just a modicum of effort and less worry about messaging. As much as I like the film overall I'm not going to turn a blind eye to lazy messaging covering for actual character development.

I've already asked that we should leave this discussion where it is. You like the film, I like the film. But I see the film in context of a larger Hollywood problem. Cool, let's move on.

I haven't been posting repeatedly. Leave the topic and move on as long as you get the last word? You keep saying that and coming back to it to point out what you already said as if it's gospel.
Others are allowed say what they think.

And effort I'm expounding? I watched the movie. It's not remotely a leap to say that after she started training she kept training.

[cdx47]

Originally Posted by Tober27

I haven't been posting repeatedly.

No you haven't and yes I have . But we both know full well that although I responded to your post, the person I was primarily communicating with has been posting repeatedly. Let's see if it continues

[BluBonnet]

Instead of more maybe we can try to stick with the thread topic? Yeah that would be nice, thanks!

[Synchg]

this movie looks boring, but i have to complete the mcu physical media set on my shelf, so onto my credit card it goes

[Just_Discovered_3D]

Originally Posted by thestrangestick

Shang-Chi’s sister, from memory, was denied martial arts training from their mentor figure, so taught herself.

... this movie subverts toxic masculinity

Shang-she wasn't denied training, she was denied the grueling physical torture that the male trainees were subjected to. The Mandarin had no qualms with her partaking in non-contact training.

Because only a terrible father would have had a grown man whip his daughter's bare torso with wooden rods (NC17 rating...), bash her hands into bloody pulp, and try and make her crush herself under a heavy log.

Sadly the movie embraces all that toxic stuff y'all talk about, as shown when Shang Chi throws the fight vs his sister because he can't bring himself to punch his sister in the face.

Originally Posted by mrtibbs

I'm hoping my Panasonic can support that feature ..I think I can get the "idea" without needing subs since i've seen it before ..but I'm showing it to some friends who haven't seen it before so they might miss out

Or you could impress them with your hidden knowledge of mandarin and "translate" the scene for them?

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by Just_Discovered_3D

Shang-she wasn't denied training, she was denied the grueling physical torture that the male trainees were subjected to. The Mandarin had no qualms with her partaking in non-contact training.

Because only a terrible father would have had a grown man whip his daughter's bare torso with wooden rods (NC17 rating...), bash her hands into bloody pulp, and try and make her crush herself under a heavy log.

Sadly the movie embraces all that toxic stuff y'all talk about, as shown when Shang Chi throws the fight vs his sister because he can't bring himself to punch his sister in the face.

Or maybe a better approach would have been to let both of the kids get trained, but without excessive physical punishment for either of them?


Also, refusing to hit back a member of your own family who's obviously upset with you is actually the opposite of any kind of toxic masculinity.

[Just_Discovered_3D]

The brutal training was apparently necessary. If you lower the standards of the training regimen to allow those who aren't qualified to participate then you're not going to have a peak paramilitary organization.

Nah, from what I can find, chivalry is considered "toxic", and Shang Chi was chivalrous to a fault in that fight.

Kinda sucks that Shang Chi only has 3 solo martial arts bouts in the film and

[Show spoiler]he technically loses at least 2 of them.

[BluBonnet]

Brutal training of children isn't something that would likely be confined in the 21st century, nor should it be. To even suggest that child brutality should be employed regardless of the reason is appaling.

What Shang-Chi did in the fight with Xialing was to not meant be about "chivalry," he knew he had let down his own sister and was sorry for what he did. An act of contrition would be a more accurate description. And that just shows that his heart is in the right place and he doesn't want his family torn further apart than it already was.

The path that Shang-Chi follows in this movie isn't about "winning" or "losing" a bout, it is about trying to protect those he loves and trying to find his path to who he's supposed to be.

[Just_Discovered_3D]

[Show spoiler]