Kevin Lazzari | Special to the Fitzhugh
The Marvel Cinematic Universe just became infinitely better in my opinion. Marvel Studios knocked it out of the park with their latest film. “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”' was produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. I am still getting used to the fact that Marvel is part of Disney, but if they keep making movies like Shang-Chi, I am on board.
I am a huge fan of comic book movies, because I love science fiction movies. I watch films to escape for a few hours and sci-fi always allows me to do that. Movie critics are always hard on comic book adaptations, because they will never win an Oscar. I am the expectation, because if you give them a chance, sometimes they will surprise you. “Shang-Chi” did that because of its entirely Asian cast. It is the first Marvel movie to ever do that, and the gamble paid off. With the expectation of Ben Kingsley, the entire cast is representing the Asian community. The fans of the movie even started a GoFundMe page to raise money for kids to go see the film.
I grew up watching Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh movies. I recently realized there are no Asian superheroes represented in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel stepped up and made sure that reality was altered. They even cast Michelle Yeoh to be in “Shang-Chi,” because the movie would have been lacking without her. The real surprise was casting Simu Liu from “Kim's Convenience.” He did the role justice. And hey, he is Canadian, so was there any doubt that he would be a superstar or superhero?
If you love sci-fi, Marvel and want to support a fantastic Canadian actor, please watch “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.”
Kevin Lazzari, owner of Video Stop, is reviewing movies for the Fitzhugh. “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” (2021) is available on DVD, Blu-ray and for digital streaming and download.
