As the dog days wind to a close, the seasonâs electricity still flits in the air. Last gasps of summer present themselves in the form of action films, attempts to keep an August sun shining. Strangely, one of my favorite action stars has a connection with two of them: Michelle Yeoh. Better known for working with Jackie Chan, she went on to be in âCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragonâ and recently, âCrazy, Rich Asians.â Here though, she plays supporting roles.
The latest from Marvel in theaters, âShang-chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,â brings us another origin story. As Disney keeps pressing, the universe is indeed expanding. Our protagonist is the son of a great underground leader played by Tony Leung. Not much is given to him, or any side actor (except for Awkwafina), to chew on which is a shame. Leung is a fantastic actor in everything from marital art films like âHeroâ and âThe Grandmasterâ to dramas âLust, Cautionâ and âIn The Mood For Love,â all highly recommended. Through flashbacks we learn of Shang-chiâs childhood and how he got to where he is. All roads lead back to where the heroâs now-dead mother came from. A true heroâs journey as such would make Joseph Campbell proud. We donât meet Yeoh until later in the story which I wonât divulge now.
Main star Simu Liu brings charisma in the same vein as Robert Downey Jr. Also like the latter, a contributing factor comes from the latterâs films. The title crime group Rings was first introduced in âIron Man 3.â Unlike âBlack Widow,â here we have a more unique story. But also like it, a singular characterâs plot will never come solo again as bits and baubles of past Marvel films are littered like breadcrumbs. A clear sign that the studio has big plans. One character tells our lead that his future will be drastically changed. Is this being expressed to the character or the actor playing him? YES!
You donât have to leave home for the second feature. Netflix has âGunpowder Milkshake,â a feminist answer to âJohn Wick that is more style than substance. Karen Gillan plays Sam, an assassin all grown up now within a secret society of paid killers. Left by her mother (Lena Headey) when things got too hot, she is all sass and danger. But when the same happens to Sam, she must reunite with her estranged parent and get assistance from a group of âlibrariansâ with a special set of skills. Our friend Michelle plays one of them along with Angela Bassett and Carla Gugino.
The cast is impressive; however, the script is not. Director Navot Papushado is really the poor manâs Tarantino. In only his third time in the directorâs chair, he has made the case as nothing more than a direct-to-video (whatever that is) filmmaker. Not much pondering is needed to see why he is on Netflix. Hopefully they have more up their sleeve for the rest of the year.
Back to Marvel (this time on Disney+), one bright spot has emerged out of the late summer. âWhat IfâŚ?â is best described as a superhero Twilight Zone. Each episode is self-contained, expressing what could happen in an alternate timeline. We even have a Rod Serling in the form of an ancient being called The Watcher (Jeffery Wright). Actors from past features include everyone from Hayley Attwell to Michael Douglas to Mark Ruffalo and others.
The second episode âWhat ifâŚTâChalla Became Star-Lordâ is truly bittersweet as this is Chadwick Bosemanâs final performance. He appears in a couple other scenes as the series goes on, but here we see why we loved him. That smile of a voice rings through the speakers, even if we are not seeing his true face. A beautiful send-off as ever there was one, some may find a tear in their eyes when it all ends. Happy trails and happy viewing, readers!
