Showing posts with label martial arts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label martial arts. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Movie Review - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Even though I am a huge comic book fan and have read more comics than I can count, I had never heard of the character Shang Chi before. But the trailer looked interesting, so I thought I'd give it a go.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a 2021 live-action action movie based on Marvel Comics. It is rated PG-13 for violence and language, and is appropriate for most ages.

The Good

Character Interactions. This movie had several interesting characters that had enjoyable interactions between each other. The interactions make up the bulk of the movie and are the most interesting parts.

Action Scenes. There are three major action scenes, and all are very well choreographed and exciting the watch. The only downside to them are they all look like lots of wire work and like they came from a video game, but that doesn't take away too much from the enjoyment.

 

The Bad

Pacing. This movie is over two hours long and feels like it is over two hours long. The pacing is a little slow.

Story. The story is pretty predictable without any real surprises. It was probably the weakest part of the film. All the challenges are easily overcome with several convenient plot points stuck in just the right place to advance the story.

Fantasy Realm. Part of this movie takes place in a fantasy dimension filled with strange creatures. Only the creatures aren't that strange or creative or even interesting. The fantasy dimension is also disappointing after so much build up. 

 

Overall

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a 2021 live-action action movie based on Marvel Comics. It is rated PG-13 for violence and language, and is appropriate for most ages. This movie had several interesting characters that had enjoyable interactions between each other. The interactions make up the bulk of the movie and are the most interesting parts.  There are three major action scenes, and all are very well choreographed and exciting the watch. The only downside to them are they all look like lots of wire work and like they came from a video game, but that doesn't take away too much from the enjoyment. This movie is over two hours long and feels like it is over two hours long. The pacing is a little slow. The story is pretty predictable without any real surprises. It was probably the weakest part of the film. All the challenges are easily overcome with several convenient plot points stuck in just the right place to advance the story. Part of this movie takes place in a fantasy dimension filled with strange creatures. Only the creatures aren't that strange or creative or even interesting. The fantasy dimension is also disappointing after so much build up. This is an entertaining film worth two hours if you happen to watch it. But there is nothing special or wonderful, so if you never see it you aren't missing out on anything. I give it 3.5 out of 5 Boxes of Popcorn.


    

Friday, January 29, 2021

Blu-ray / DVD Review - Batman: Soul of the Dragon

I am a fan of Bronze Age comic books. So when I heard DC was planning and animated movie set in that era in the Bruce Timm style, I said to myself, "Self, you should watch that movie." And I did

Batman: Soul of the Dragon is a 2021 animated martial arts film. It is rated R for violence and is appropriate for tweens and up.

The Good

Vibe. This movie has a great vibe from the visuals to the music to the action to the pacing that really evokes 70s martial art films and 70s TV.

Characters. This film has a great variety of characters form 1970s DC comics that either haven't appears before on the screen or have had very small appearances. The cast of characters had great chemistry together and worked together well.

Art Direction. The look and feel of the characters, backgrounds, vehicles, and action was very nostalgic while still feeling current and not retro. The look was unique while hearkening to a familiar era.

The Bad


Corner Cutting. My biggest complaint is the filmmakers didn't explore this world as thoroughly as they could. The plot was pretty simple and straightforward which is perfect for lots of side trips to explore the world. And while there were a few along the way, they weren't as fully explored as I would have liked, and there weren't enough of them.

 

What I Would Like To Have Seen

I wish the filmmakers had gotten a little more excited about this project and had put a little more energy and heart into it.


Overall

Batman: Soul of the Dragon is a 2021 animated martial arts film. This movie has a great vibe from the visuals to the music to the action to the pacing that really evokes 70s martial art films and 70s TV. This film has a great variety of characters form 1970s DC comics that either haven't appears before on the screen or have had very small appearances. The cast of characters had great chemistry together and worked together well. My biggest complaint is the filmmakers didn't explore this world as thoroughly as they could. The plot was pretty simple and straightforward which is perfect for lots of side trips to explore the world. And while there were a few along the way, they weren't as fully explored as I would have liked, and there weren't enough of them. I wish the filmmakers had gotten a little more excited about this project and had put a little more energy and heart into it. Overall it's a very enjoyable film. I give it 4 out of 5 Boxes of Popcorn.


 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086G6FKRV/

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Graphic Novel Review - Tango Volume 1, An Ocean of Stone by Phillipe Xavier and Matz

I've always been impressed with European comics and graphic novels. They tend to be more grounded in the real world than American comics, they tend to have a high level of draftsmanship, and they tend to be sold in large volumes that contain an entire story.

Tango Volume 1, An Ocean of Stone by Phillipe Xavier and Matz is a tough guy drama graphic novel from Europe Comics. It is available as an eBook.

The Good


Characters. There isn't a lot of plot, but for this particular story there doesn't need to be, because the characters and their interactions are all so interesting. Each has a lot of character, each is unique and not just another troupe, and all have great chemistry with each other.

Art. The artwork is beautiful. Everything is so skillfully rendered, and yet this still looks and feels like a comic book and not illustrations or paintings. There is so much emotion communicated in the art, and the movement is so fluid and lifelike.

Multiple Stories Come Together. This story is actually the convergence of several stories that cross at one point. While they are independent, they come together in a very natural and enjoyable way.

Twist. I am really good at seeing twists early on in stories. It's rare I'm surprised by anything at the end. This book surprised me at the very end, and I was really glad for it.



The Bad

...


What I Would Like to Have Seen


I was very satisfied.


Overall


Tango Volume 1, An Ocean of Stone by Phillipe Xavier and Matz is a tough guy drama graphic novel from Europe Comics. There isn't a lot of plot, but for this particular story there doesn't need to be, because the characters and their interactions are all so interesting. Each has a lot of character, each is unique and not just another troupe, and all have great chemistry with each other. The artwork is beautiful. Everything is so skillfully rendered, and yet this still looks and feels like a comic book and not illustrations or paintings. There is so much emotion communicated in the art, and the movement is so fluid and lifelike. This story is actually the convergence of several stories that cross at one point. While they are independent, they come together in a very natural and enjoyable way. I am really good at seeing twists early on in stories. It's rare I'm surprised by anything at the end. This book surprised me at the very end, and I was really glad for it. I highly recommend this book and give it 4.5 out of 5 eReaders.


  

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086G6FKRV/

Monday, November 23, 2020

Movie Review - Vanguard

Do you remember a decade or two ago when movies used to be good and going to the theater was enjoyable? I do, and now I don't have to just remember.

Vanguard is a 2020 live-action action adventure Chinese film. It is rated PG-13 for action and is appropriate for most ages.

The Good

Execution. The story is pretty basic: an international security firm has to protect one of its clients from terrorists and action ensues. What makes this film special is its execution. It was perfectly cast, scripted, acted, filmed, and edited. It was chuck full of fun and entertainment.

Casting. This movie couldn't have had a better cast. Everyone was perfect for his roles, and the cast as a whole had great chemistry together.

Fun. This film was so much fun! While most of it seemed pretty grounded and realistic, it had some signature Jackie Chan parts that were just fun and silly and you know would never happen, but you don't care because it's just so cool to watch.

Action. The movie had tons of action, and it varied so it never became stale or repetitive.

Visuals. This film takes place around the world from London to Dubai and several places in between, and each location couldn't have been shot better.

The Bad

...


What I Would Like To Have Seen

 A sequel.

Overall

Vanguard is a 2020 live-action action adventure Chinese film. The story is pretty basic: an international security firm has to protect one of its clients from terrorists and action ensues. What makes this film special is its execution. It was perfectly cast, scripted, acted, filmed, and edited. It was chuck full of fun and entertainment. It was serious but fun. This movie couldn't have had a better cast. Everyone was perfect for his roles, and the cast as a whole had great chemistry together. The movie had tons of action, and it varied so it never became stale or repetitive. This film takes place around the world from London to Dubai and several places in between, and each location couldn't have been shot better.This film was so much fun! While most of it seemed pretty grounded and realistic, it had some signature Jackie Chan parts that were just fun and silly and you know would never happen, but you don't care because it's just so cool to watch. I highly recommend this film give it 5 out of 5 Boxes of Popcorn.


     

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086G6FKRV/

Friday, November 8, 2019

TV Show Review - Cobra Kai Season 2


I loved the first season of Cobra Kai, and could barely wait for the next. But would it live up to my expectations  

Cobra Kai Season 2 is an 10-episode 2019 YouTube Originals series based on The Karate Kid film and continuing the story three decades later. It is rated TV-14 for language and is appropriate for tweens and up.



The Good


Story. The story continues right where the first season ended and introduces several great new elements while continuing the stories already begun in the first season. The writing is just as good.

Action.
 This season offers one of the best fight scenes in cinematic history at the end of the season and beginning of a new school year.

Pacing. The story is paced just right. It never drags and is never rushed.



Contrast. This series does an excellent job of showing the contrast between 80s culture and 2018 culture and how far society as regressed and how weak and cruel modern youth have become. It is really fascinating from both a social perspective and an entertainment one.

Cliffhanger. This series ends with several cliffhangers, only one we know how it will be resolved.


The Bad


...



What I Would Like to Have Seen


More episodes!



Overall


Cobra Kai Season 2 continues to be one of the best shows I've ever seen. It continues the story of The Karate Kid in a perfectly logical, relevant way being true to the original but brining in so many new elements that all fit. The pacing is perfect with each character given the appropriate amount of time to see his or her story progress and interact with the others. There is a lot of drama, conflict, and misunderstanding along with great action, comedy, and romance. This season introduces several new elements that fit into the existing storyline perfectly and sets up the third season in a big way. I highly recommend this show and give it 5 out of 5 remotes.



      

 

Friday, October 18, 2019

TV Show Review - Cobra Kai Season 1


I loved the original The Karate Kid movie, so I was both excited and horrified at the idea of a continuation. Excited because I wanted more Karate Kid action, horrified because of how poorly the remakes of it and other 80s properties had been handled. 

Cobra Kai Season 1 is an 10-episode 2018 YouTube Originals series based on The Karate Kid film and continuing the story three decades later. It is rated TV-14 for language and is appropriate for tweens and up.



The Good


Story. This series has such a great story. It is perfectly paced and focuses on each character letting their story be told and their character be developed.

Action.
 While there's not enough martial arts action, when there is karate, it is pretty exciting and a lot of fun.

Pacing. The story is paced just right. It never drags and is never rushed.



Contrast. This series does an excellent job of showing the contrast between 80s culture and 2018 culture and how far society as regressed and how weak and cruel modern youth have become. It is really fascinating from both a social perspective and an entertainment one.


The Bad


Romantic Development. Most of the movie is developed just right, but the relationship between Johnny's student and Daniel's daughter is rushed a little too much. A couple more episodes would have fixed that.



What I Would Like to Have Seen


More episodes!



Overall


Cobra Kai Season 1 is one of the best shows I've ever seen. It continues the story of The Karate Kid in a perfectly logical, relevant way being true to the original but brining in so many new elements that all fit. The pacing is perfect with each character given the appropriate amount of time to see his or her story progress and interact with the others. There is a lot of drama, conflict, and misunderstanding along with great action, comedy, and romance. And the subtext of the difference between 80s culture and 2018 culture and how far society has regressed in three decades is brilliant! I highly recommend this show and give it 5 out of 5 remotes.