TV REVIEW: AMERICAN BORN CHINESE - Season 1

3.5/5

Everyone Everywhere All At Once.

8 Episodes. Starring: Ben Wang, Yeo Yann Yann, Chin Han, Ke Huy Quan, Jimmy Liu, Sydney Taylor, Daniel Wu & Michelle Yeoh. Created By: Kelvin Yu. On: Disney +. 

Tell me, who else Googled, 'Vin Diesel dance track' after watching 'American Born Chinese'? Just me? Well, it's actually pretty good. But this show about family on Disney +? Even better. It wins the race of streaming shows right now in this binge culture. Right when the Mickey Mouse property is receiving a mixed bag response when it comes to their multiple Marvel and Star Wars shows (but we love them and can't wait for this month's 'Secret Invasion' which should be the 'Andor' of the M.C.U.). 'ABC', that searches for superhero and youth in revolt identity like 'Ms. Marvel', is a refreshing rebirth. And more for the popularity contest of the spot the cameos from 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' drinking game (don't worry, we won't spike the punch). Oscar winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan may headline this Academy when it comes to the billboard promotions, but it's the principal stars who really take you to school. All in a show that seeks to educate you on Chinese mythology and family much like the Disney + basketball movie 'Chang Can Dunk' that went further above the rim than Hulu's 'White Men Can't Jump' remake and even the 'Rise' of Giannis Antetokounmpo (but that's no failure either). 

Seeking to Stop Asian Hate in all forms, from America to across the world, and to show the love of Chinese culture in a time when trumped-up ignorant idiots used to call COVID the "you know what virus", like 'EEAAO', 'America Born Chinese' is a revelation. Hiding behind the usual family high-school comedy heart warmth, it's actually one of the realest things Disney have produced...and we're not sleeping on the kingdom either. Costumes capturing ancient mythology. A feast of martial arts from the legends. And enough drama and dynamics to redefine what all this means. This is the sleeper show of the year. Created by 'Cloverfield', 'Milk', 'Star Trek' and 'Wonder Woman 1984' actor Kelvin Yu and directed by 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings'' very own Destin Daniel Cretton, this 'American Born' show is based upon the Chinese graphic novel of the same name. Crafted by Gene Luen Yang in 2006, who drew from the sketchbooks and diaries of his adolescence in the 90s. Mixing it up with mythical God's, Chinese folk tales and mysticism found in the classic Chinese novel 'Journey To The West'. Published during the Ming dynasty and attributed to Wu Cheng'en. 

Starring instant star Ben Wang, who displays both poise amongst the paranoia of high-school turning you into a hashtag, and the hope to rise from the stuffed locker ranks to a school soccer star like a freshman king, 'Born Chinese' runs through culture and mythology to a sick soundtrack. Even if a certain 'Fast X' star doesn't make it to the car radio. Bon Jovi does however, for you Jersey boys looking to Dad dance sing along. Yet it's exchange student Jimmy Liu who really changes the game as scrolls and staffs are looked for amongst happening upon pendants, perchance. It's Wang's parents (get the name right) that really strike a chord to why family matters, even as we come of age and the musical that is the high-school stage. One-upping the moving mothering in 'Chang Can Dunk' (which Wang also plays in) by Mardy Ma, 'Singapore Dreaming' star Yeo Yann Yann is a dream cast. Making us earn ever emotion, showing us all her strength. Ever since breaking out in 'The Dark Knight' (or being broke out of Hong Kong), Chin Han has been in favourite franchises like 'Captain America', 'Independence Day', 'Ghost In The Shell', 'Mortal Kombat' and the scariest film of all-time, made reality, 'Contagion'. But here as a weary and worn, deflated, but not defeated Dad he really makes his mark. Especially when he says his peace, or talks about the love of the past.

Sydney Taylor is more than a love interest in this story. The power of friendship and that first teenage thing you feel when you connect with someone in class that can partner up to something more will take you back to your notebook's nostalgia. But all hail the Monkey King, played perfectly by the martial arts genius of 'Into The Badlands' and star of Hong Kong cinema Daniel Wu. Suited and 'John Wick' cool booted. Get your pencils out, kids. There's a whole host of cool cameos in these eight wonderful episodes that we want to talk about, but can't. Especially one drunken master...and we don't mean Jackie Chan. We can talk about the 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' double-act, dynamic duo of Yeoh and Quan though. Michelle is all presence in a regal role that shows she's not only the mother of the year (aside from mine...and OK, OK, yours), but one of our most amazing actors. But it's Ke Huy Quan's anything but side-story that really hits home...especially after 'Indiana Jones'. A character who used to be a 80s sitcom star with a clichéd catchphrase that was cruelly reduced to some racist stereotype comedy, Quan tells it like it is in real and raw retrospect. It may have been a different time, but that doesn't make it any less unacceptable. With that powerful narrative thread running through what you previously cringed at into the powerful payoff, nothing else can go wrong. Especially with the genius finale. 'American Born Chinese' is the rebirth of the real America. In all its celebrated cultures. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Everything Everywhere All At Once', 'Chang Can Dunk', 'Ms. Marvel'.