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Even if the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t ongoing, I’m not sure if Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings would’ve become a cultural phenomenon on the level of Black Panther but it’s another solid entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The cast is great, the 3D is well-utilized and the fights are terrific. Marvel’s first Asian leading man makes a solid first impression.

For over a thousand years, Xu Wenwu (Tony Leung) and his minions have conquered kingdoms and toppled governments. In present-day San Francisco, Xu Wenwu’s son, Xu “Shaun” Shang-Chi (Simul Liu) is forced to confront his father when assassins suddenly disrupt the normal life he was trying to lead.

Until meet Shaun and his best friend Katy (Awkwafina), you would never guess that this is an MCU film. The meeting between Xu Wenwu and his wife Ying Li (Fala Chen), the mythology of the ten rings would be right at home in a Chinese fantasy epic. We meet several creatures who come from Chinese and Eastern mythology, travel to Macau, and the millennia-spanning tale offers many opportunities to show off period-era costumes, weapons, and sets. If you know someone that doesn’t like the Marvel films, this could be the one to make them change their mind. Well, except for the mandatory cameos by characters from other franchises and the mid/post-credit stingers that tie it into the universe as a whole. Ben Kingsley's "Mandarin” from Iron Man 3 plays a sizeable part in the story and although this does give us the much-needed follow-up to the short film All Hail the King (2014), he gets much more screentime than necessary. Those minutes would've been better spent with Simu Liu and Awkwafina, who are so good together. Sometimes, the comedic tone of the Marvel films can feel like it’s undermining the life-or-death scenarios. Not here. They go back-and-forth so well you completely believe them not just as friends, but best friends.

Along with Shang-Chi and Katy, the action scenes are the film’s highlights. While purists might lament certain martial arts fights being enhanced by computer-generated effects, you'll notice that Shang-Chi doesn’t wear a mask so Simu Liu is doing many of his own stunts. The first time we get to see him show off his skills is a dazzler, and it’s completely different from the battles that involve his father’s rings. You expected these to be worn on his fingers and to shoot differently-colored beams like Green Lantern but that’s not at all what you get. Lots of creativity there.

The film’s biggest flaw is the villains. Xu Wenwu is a tyrant, a murderer of hundreds who forced his son to become an assassin, the leader of an army... but unlike Thanos, he’s not fun to hate. He’s given plenty of humanity. Too much even. Tony Leung performs well but the sympathy he brings to this character makes you pine for the baddies you wanted to see punched in the face rather than rehabilitated. The other villains include minions and creatures that have distinct looks but little personality and ultimately, aren't memorable.

The way to see this movie is on the big screen and in 3D. You get scenes of vertigo, weapons/projectiles flying towards you, many scenes where dust or particles flying through the air - blown off the ground by the kind of moves that would be at home in Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings looks great. It's exciting and I'm looking forward to more. Fingers crossed the villain will be better next time. (3D Theatrical version on the big screen, September 14, 2021)

Though Wonder Woman has been published since 1941, her Rogues Gallery isn't as robust as her male counterparts'. Is her #2 archenemy enough to match or surpass the stakes of the first film? Not quite. Wonder Woman 1984 does not have the same impact or gravity as the original. On the upside, the villains are more complex and memorable and director Patty Jenkins’ take on the 80s does offer some nice material to chew on.

In 1984, Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) befriends Barbara Ann Minerva (Kristen Wiig) while studying the “Dreamstone” - an ancient artifact that supposedly grants wishes. After it brings Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) back to life and fulfills Barbara's deepest desires, the stone is taken by businessman Maxwell “Max Lord” Lorenzano (Pedro Pascal).

The first movie was about Diana learning of mankind's potential for both good and evil. This time, the themes are desires, loss, and acceptance. Diana is still heartbroken over Steve Trevor. You don’t blame her; Pine and Gadot were so good together you crave to see them as a couple again. Barbara idolizes Diana and wants the same kind of beauty and strength she has. After seeing her get harassed and then attacked by a drunkard while walking home, you understand her envy. There's even a message there about the fact that once her transformation begins she's still taken advantage of by a rich man and that both she and Diana are constantly receiving unwanted advances by would-be suitors. It isn't the focus of the film but does circle back to the idea of "be careful what you wish for".

If there's one characteristic that defined the '80s, it's greed and indulgence. Lord's desires are like all of humanity's at the time; understandable at first but ultimately, unsustainable. His quest for more - more oil, more power, more resources, more respect - risks a global conflict. The "wishes with a toll" thing has been done before but it's given some new tricks in this story. I particularly like the way Max Lord finds ways to circumvent the "one wish per person" rule.

A few aspects of this sequel make it a lesser film than its predecessor. Last time, we had a coming-of-age story. Now, Diana’s world-savvy. Steve is the one catching up to her - a nice reversal - but the plot has her powers diminished. Our heroine isn't the same powerhouse we saw traverse No Man's Land. Combined with the 151-minute running time and this Wonder Woman lacks a bit of punch.

Having just rewatched Wonder Woman, I was hoping this sequel would deliver the same level of emotion. Unfortunately, it doesn't. Though this makes it a slight disappointment, the conclusion is more emotional and truer, the romance between Diana and Steve is just as good as before, and the villains are better fleshed out (an upside of that length). If you want to see more of the character, you'll be glad to see Wonder Woman 1984. When you do, stay tuned for an extra scene mid-way through the credits. (December 27, 2020)