I also watched this movie without any idea what it was going in other than the predominantly Asian cast and the guy who played short round was in it. I was very pleasantly surprised. I can understand why some people wouldn’t like this movie, but after a second watch, this movie is incredibly self aware of what it is trying to do. I think it deserves the accolades it’s getting.

As just one example, this is the first movie I’ve seen that has given a satisfying character arc to a character, Waymond, that essentially doesn’t have one. He is the same man at the end as he was in the beginning, yet it’s arguably the entire anchor of the movie. It’s the evolving perception of him through Evelyn that drives his arc, and I thought it was beautifully done.