Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) is a valet driver in the great city of San Francisco. He seemingly loves his life as he works alongside his best friend, Katy (Awkwafina), and has little to worry about in terms of drama. That is until one day his past comes back to haunt him. When Shang-Chi’s father, Xu Wenwu (Tony Leung), comes back to retrieve both him and his sister, Xialing (Meng’er Zhang), Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is reborn, and the trajectory of the world will change forever. As Shang-Chi attempts to right the wrongs of his father’s past, every bit of his being will be tested. The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) newest hero is here, and he just may prove to be one of the universe’s most powerful.
The MCU is full of strong-willed, outgoing superheroes such as Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Rocket (Bradley Cooper), but this is one of the first times we are introduced to a hero like Shang-Chi, who, in many ways, is unassuming, reserved, and far more calm than the aforementioned characters. This introduction is somewhat of a breath of fresh air, as this character is less in your face, allowing viewers to accept the character on their own terms, rather than it being forced on them (to be clear, I love the character development of each of the previously mentioned characters). There is something calming and more fluid about Shang-Chi’s introduction in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and I commend writers Dave Callaham, Destin Daniel Cretton (who also acts as director), and Andrew Lanham for their decision to bring Shang-Chi to life in this fashion. But the shining star of this film is Marvel newcomer Liu. He’s literally perfect as he conveys this quiet but powerful addition to the already existent motley crew of superheroes. Liu allows this character to find his own place in the crowded world of the MCU, and Liu’s impeccable talent has surely placed Shang-Chi on an exciting course.
Fans of the MCU are delighted to see that the usual slew of humor is strewn throughout the film. Leading the comedic charge this time is Awkwafina. She’s a brilliant actor who is both calculated and deliberate in her approach toward this role, and it shows. Every word out of her mouth and every expression on her face is accurately conveyed, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings flourishes as a result of her prowess. Awkwafina possesses a rasp in her voice and a matter-of-fact way of expressing herself that somehow each and every line contains comic value. Sure, not every single line is meant to be funny, and her ability to manipulate her face draws a line between drama and comedy that resonates with viewers.
The choreography is better than anything we’ve seen before in a Marvel film. Using age-old fighting techniques (primarily from legend Bruce Lee) as inspiration, those in charge of choreography capture the true essence of everything they are attempting to present to their audience. Fluid, consistent, and uniquely realistic are just some of the terms to describe the brilliance of each and every action sequence. I was drawn into the film by way of the action, which begins almost immediately, and as the film flows smoothly from beginning to end, a series of fights guide the way. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, while deep and multi-dimensional, leans heavily on the action to entertain viewers. With literal perfection in this department, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is sure to entertain viewers in this regard.
The MCU has long been known, thanks to films like Guardians of the Galaxy and Thor: Ragnarok, to possess truly invigorating soundtracks, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings continues that tradition. Unlike anything heard before in the MCU, however, this film beautifully blends traditional and modern music to create arguably the most entertaining soundtrack to date. Featuring artists such as Swae Lee, 21 Savage, and Anderson .Paak, paired brilliantly with traditional Chinese music, composed by Joel P. West, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings creates a bond with its viewers early on, and the music never relents.
Finally, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ visuals are a step above anything else present in the MCU. Not only is the CGI brilliant and captivating, but the sets transport viewers to a new world, something completely unique (and we’re talking about people who have travelled to Vormir and Titan). The beauty present in each of these aspects is unparalleled in the MCU and is a primary reason that everything else works so well. The choreography that is the driving force behind the film relies heavily on the CGI in order to come to life, and a slew of set designers only help to brighten an already spectacular aspect of the film, allowing said choreography and CGI to pop, bringing it to the forefront of the Marvel spectacle.
With the only thing I struggled with throughout the course of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings being the occasional (and corny) slow-motion take, this film is all but perfect. Acting, choreography, music, comedy, and CGI (among other things) marry together to create a wonderful display. With nearly everything playing out perfectly throughout the course of the film, it’s quite possible that Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is the best standalone MCU film to date.
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton.
Written by Dave Callaham, Destin Daniel Cretton, Andrew Lanham, Steve Englehart, & Jim Starlin.
Starring Simu Liu, Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Awkwafina, Meng’er Zhang, Fala Chen, Michelle Yeoh, Wah Yuen, Florian Munteanu, Andy Le, Paul W. He, Jayden Zhang, Elodie Fong, Arnold Sun, Stephanie Hsu, Kunal Dudheker, Benedict Wong, Dee Bradley Baker, Tim Roth, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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