MovieChat Forums > Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) Discussion > Watched it again. You know what the prob...

Watched it again. You know what the problem with this movie is?

posted 3 years ago by Otter (24464)
8 replies | jump to latest

It's that Shang-Chi himself is the least interesting major character.

I mean he's likable enough, a regular guy who has to grow up, stop slacking, and accept his destiny. But his father is far more interesting, and also much more charismatic and attractive, and seriously, MUCH sexier. And his sister has a more interesting journey, and his pal Katy is more fun, and his aunt from the village is Michelle Yeoh. I mean it's a fun movie, but it fails to be a proper Hero's Journey because the hero isn't what has one's attention.

[–] aavfreak (3313) 3 years ago

Now that you mention it, I think you're absolutely right.

Wenwu is a much better villain than Shang-Chi is a hero. Wenwu is more interesting, more compelling, and very grand. Shang-Chi just seems to be along for the ride during the whole movie.

[–] Otter (24464) 3 years ago

Yeah, part of the problem with Shang-Chi and Wen-Wu is that Tony Leung is hotter and more charismatic than Simu Lui (not that they aren't both very hot), but the problem is also written into the script. Wen-Wu just has a more interesting story arc than Shang-Shi, I mean sure, a film about a slacker who has to grow up can be great, but it's a superhero movie and who's the person with superpowers who spends a thousand years changing the world and then goes in a quest to save his beloved? Wen-Wu is the one whose story fits the traditional hero's arc much better!

And Katy and "Ringo" have all the good lines. Well, if there's a sequel, maybe Shang-Chi will get a chance to come into his own, but of course there's still a chance his badass sister will be more interesting.

[–] Leodicaprio (6426) 2 years ago

agreed

[–] fc31 (5370) 2 years ago

There is also the fact Shang-Chi is not that great a person. Think about the plot, his mother was killed right in front of him. Of course he was too young to do anything, so his father trained him to avenge his mother, and he ran away.

In the end he said:"I am going to kill him (his father)". What? What did his father do to him? I don't even know how he justified that logic.

I kind of understand what his father was doing, and I don't even blame him running away, he did not have it in him to kill people, good. He did not want to be the leader of 10 rings, sure. But how did it get from there to justify killing his father, not exactly sure. His father was not even mean to him, I think if he just said no, his father probably would understand. Disappointed probably, but would have forgiven him. That is why his father knew where he was and did nothing.

But no, let's kill him. If he had it in him to kill someone, at least avenge his mother first.

[–] acidraindrop (3055) 2 years ago

lmfao

You are absolutely correct XD. I never quite thought about it this way. His dad, his sister, and his best friend are all so much more interesting than he is in terms of their narrative arcs, their performances, their lines, etc. Damn...all this time, I'd be lauding this film, but in terms of the relationship dynamics involved. But really, everyone is carrying his weight. Shit...hope Shang Chi 2 is good.

[–] FilmBuff (7234) 2 years ago

That's usually the recipe for a great story or movie, and this film is no exception, in my opinion. The villain should always be more interesting than the hero. As for sexier... if you're into 60-year-old men, then maybe, but I don't think many women are would choose Tony Leung over Simu Liu, assuming neither was a movie star.

[–] Otter (24464) 2 years ago

Maybe the villain is always a bit more interesting than the audience, at least to people like me, at the least it's generally true that the villain has lived a more interesting life than an innocent and law-abiding hero. And of course the comic sidekick is obligated to be fun, but there's a limit. A film can bear some supporting characters who are more intriguing than the hero, but if there's too much of that the film gets weaker.

But as for sex appeal... some man-fanciers would pick the amiable slacker over the charismatic older man who's bent the world to his will, or vice versa. Tastes in men vary, but I think more would go for the charismatic older man who's bent the world to his will than you think.

[–] HarlemEagle42 (17735) 2 years ago

Yeah I felt the same way. I guess they wanted him to be the everyman despite his powers and backstory demonstrating he's *not* just a regular guy.