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and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and the Legend of the Ten Rings review, Martial Arts, Marvel, Marvel Comics, MCU, Phase Four, Shan-Chi, Simu Liu
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Review by Paul Bowler
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a spectacular new Asian led chapter in the next phase of Marvel’s highly anticipated wave of post Endgame movies, and also a much needed breath of fresh air for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Staring actor and stuntman Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, who post blip is using the alias of Shaun while working as a hotel valet in San Francisco, together with his best friend Katy (Awkwafina). When they are suddenly attacked by the deadly Razor Fist (Florian Munteanu) and his henchmen, Shang-Chi has no choice but to reveal his true identity and return home to face the demons of his past, including his father, Wenwu (Tony Leung), who just happens to be the centuries old super-villain leader of the Ten Rings organisation!
Director Destin Daniel Cretton stylishly blends the superhero fantasy and martial arts action. The frenetic fight sequences are beautifully choreographed, with Simu Liu performing many of his own stunts, and as origin stories go Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a great addition to the MCU line-up. The saga of the Ten Rings, the mystical weapons that grant their owner great power and immortality, is intricately woven into the narrative, and Shang-Chi’s fears his that estranged sister Xu Xialing (Meng’er Zhang) will also be targeted sees him race to Macau with Katy to find Xialing.
The plot hardly pauses for a moment from the outset. Highlights included a Jacky Chan like sequence on a skyscraper swathed in bamboo scaffolding, there’s a cage fight between Wong (Benedict Wong) and the Abomination (voice by Tim Roth), a daring Speed-style chase unfolds through the streets of San Francisco, and a bombastic finale of epic proportions round off Shang-Chi’s MCU debut in fine style.
Simu Liu effortlessly makes the role Shang-Chi his own, while Awkwafina’s scene stealing turn as Chi’s comic sidekick ensures there’s plenty of fun moments interspaced between the frenetic action. There’s some father son angst that gives the plot added depth, sacrifices are also made, and everything builds to a fittingly spectacular – if somewhat CGI heavy – climatic mystical showdown. The supporting cast is excellent as well, although I felt the addition of Sir Ben Kingsley’s character Trevor Slattery (the faux Mandarin from Iron Man 3) was a little bit superfluous.
As Marvel Studios first film with an Asian director and a predominately Asian cast, Shan-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a fine exploration and representation of Asian culture, and a visually impressive and exciting MCU film on every level. There are plenty of Easter eggs and MCU references to past movies and future Phase Four projects to enjoy as well. This film may not be as game changing as Black Panther, but it was way more fun than Black Widow! Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ring is a good all-round action-adventure film in its own right, the dazzling martial arts fight sequences will blow yu away, and the post credit scenes (featuring some fan pleasing cameos) bring the character of Shang-Chi even further into the wider mythology of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
About The Author
Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook
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I’m excited to see this!
Really good film, exciting and action packed.
Yeah I agree that Kingsley probably didn’t need to appear so much since the cast was already so big. Beyond that, as you mentioned the film was just great all around. I also thought that the soundtrack was expertly picked and the themes fit well with each action scene
Yeah, his inclusion just didn’t really work, and the film already had enough characters to juggle. Shang Chi was still a really good MCU movie and offered a promising glimpse of what Phase Four will bring. That soundtrack was brilliant as well!
I felt that Kingsley & Katy clashed a bit as the comic reliefes, I’d rather have had Kingsley as a short cameo rather then a full role in the film
I agree, Kingsley and Katy was a bit too much, and it would’ve been better to have Kingsley in a brief cameo role. Other than that I think Shang Chi was pretty good.
Actually, Katy was too much on her own for me. Felt like they were trying too hard to make her a fan favorite. Shang-Chi was good for the first hour and a half but it lost me a bit in the final battle, felt too much like a big CGI-fest
Yeah, like most Marvel movies they went for CGI overload in the finale, but, other than that it was a good addition to Phase Four.
Yeah, it’s really good in comparison to Black Widow and some of the other stuff we’ve seen this phase. I’m excited to see how they’re going to use Shang in the future, hopefully Agents Of Atlas with Jimmy Woo
Yeah, I’m sure we will see a lot more of Shang Chi appearing in the MCU as we progress through Phase Four. Exciting times ahead!
Agreed, the martial arts action is especially great! And I thought it was just really cool to see a Marvel hero inspired by Chinese traditions. The inclusion of Slattery may be extra, but I did enjoy a laugh from that Planet of the Apes story.
Yeah, the martial arts action scenes in Shang Chi were brilliant. Oh yeah, that POA story was fun. Excited to see Shang Chi appear more in the MCU now.
This looks like one of those Climb-In-And-Hang-On movies. I know I’ll really enjoy this one.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was a really fun and exciting movie. Sure you’lll enjoy it,
Great review! I watched this right when Disney + released it and enjoyed it way more than I thought I would! I love Kim’s Convenience and while I thought Simu was an interesting choice, he totally pulled it off! I grew up watching Tony Leung in Asian films. So it was nice to see him finally do a Hollywood film. FYI, he usually plays a villain..and a very good one. 😜🥂
I really enjoyed Shang-Chi as well. It was such a fun and exciting film, with a brilliant cast, and a spellbinding storyline. Cheers, glad you enjoyed the review. 🙂
I really loved the martial-arts choreography in the film, but I personally thought that the CGI was overused and it was unnecessary to kill Wenwu off. 😔 He was a cool character that had so much potential, especially when played by none other than the great Tony Leung himself. That’s why I think that the film is a tad bit overrated. Do check out my own review of the film! Here’s to wishing you a good day ahead! 😊
Yeah, the martial arts choreography in Shang Chi was superb. I enjoyed the story story and thought the film was pretty good. Not on of the MCU’s best, but certainly a good addition to this new phase of Marvel movies. It go into CGI overload for the final act though – but that seems kind of a given now sometimes with superhero movies.
I completely agree with you. 😊 Thanks for the follow too!
You’re welcome and thank you as well.