REVIEW: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a Welcomed Addition to the MCU
Marvel’s Phase 4 has officially kicked-off with the release of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The premiere of Black Widow led many to believe it was the kick-off to the next phase in the Marvel cinematic universe and safe to say we were wrong. Black Widow did well setting up what’s to come for Marvel’s streaming shows but Shang-Chi officially begins the groundwork for what’s to come in Phase 4.
Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) is a young man living in San Francisco spending his time valeting cars with his best friend Katy (Awkwafina). He has no plans for his future and has no interest in making plans; when he and Katy are attacked by the Ten Rings Army, Shang-Chi finds the past he thought had left behind has come back to haunt him. He and Katy set out on an adventure that will force Shang-Chi to confront not only his past, but his future as well if he intends to save himself, his family, and the universe.
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, Shang-Chi is a beautifully shot movie. From the action sequences to the scenic shots, each scene elevates the story and propels our new characters easily into the MCU. Featuring fun one liners and great banter, there is something in it for everyone. I will say the slow-motion shots during the action scenes did throw me for a bit of a loop. One of the most enjoyable parts of this film was watching how fast the performers were pulling off their fight choreography and then Cretton would slow it down cousin a distraction from the scene.
Liu is the perfect addition to our Marvel universe. His character is funny, intriguing, and brings a fresh feel to the universe. Awkwafina’s Katy is everything one could want in a sidekick. Her banter with Liu comes with ease and only gets better as the movie progresses. These are two characters that I can’t wait to see return in future installments.
Michelle Yeoh is movie royalty. As Jiang Nan, she brings a sense of calm, grace, and power to a character that could have easily been forgotten. Meng’er Zhang (Shang-Chi’s sister) and Tony Leung (Shang-Chi’s father) round out the cast and do well, but are not nearly as compelling as Liu, Awkwafina, or Yeoh.
The characters are well developed and extremely likeable, it was hard to find anything negative about this movie. Did it have the same feel behind it as Avenges: Endgame? No, and it wasn’t meant to. It did exactly what it needed to do to set up this next phase: introduce new characters to the MCU and begin setting up the overall theme of the phase.
There are two post credit scenes, a mid-credit and end credit, so make sure to stay until the very end. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a movie you will want to see. Whether it be in theaters or when it is released to digital, this is a must see. And, for all those doubting the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it is definitely starting off in good hands with Shang-Chi.
Grade: A