Blog Post #7 - Thoughts on Shang-Chi - 11/16/2022

 

Mise En Scene in Shang-Chi

For my seventh blog post, I'll eventually be talking about use of the four main Mise En Scene areas in Shang-Chi. One being Setting, essentially being where the movie is set and the overall tone and mood that the location makes the viewer in the audience feel while watching the movie. Secondly, the lighting which is another important factor which also contributes towards the mood of the movie, such as how bright or dark something is. Thirdly, there's costume which is also contributes, such as how colorful or just what they wear can make someone feel something. Finally, staging, just how something is presented on a movie can also make the viewer feel a mood. Today I'll be covering how these four factors are presented in the movie and what they make the viewer feel. 

     

For starters, the setting in this movie overall makes the viewer watching feel peaceful or tranquil. The movie is overall set within the country of China, throughout the movie the main character, his sister along with a group, as they travel they see the various Lucious green fields along with the green trees and hills that are also covered with beautiful pink flowers, covered in blue skies. While watching this, this made me feel peaceful but also brought me happiness just seeing this setting as the movie wants to emphasize the beauty of china. Theres also a location of a Chinese Temple to emphasize the Chinese culture as well as well as the tranquility of the temple. 

Another factor of the movie is the lighting. It's very rare to actually find something deep low lighting in this movie, most of the time high key lighting is used to keep a cheerful and comedic tone that is used very often throughout most marvel movies. Various scenes emphasize the high key lightning throughout all of these scenes to contribute to the blissful setting that I mentioned in the previous setting that the movie had, which I often like since movies that use low-key lighting are just not my thing. They're also there to contribute towards the peaceful mood that the movie overall has as a whole.

The Costumes used in this movie also emphasize the happiness and the bright energy that the movie has. For example in the photo above, the woman is wearing a bright yellow dress that speaks volumes upon her character, such as her happiness, her wisdom and her optimism. The Man is wearing full on white clothing that could show purity in the mans heart, but also show the coldness of the man as he's the villain of the movie. The Main Character also wears red clothing that could emphasize his joyful and loving nature, as well his energetic nature at that. 

The Final factor of the film is staging, one of the many factors of the staging used in the film are the dynamic fight scenes. The Film takes inspiration from various other kung-fu films such as Enter the Dragon starring Bruce Lee, the fight scenes make the audience excited constantly eager throughout the entire viewing of the movie. For example, the bus fight scene keeps the audience up on their seats the entire time, using various camera cuts and shots to show all the different types of moves used. As well as the final battle between Shang and his father to emphasize the battle between a father and his son.