REVIEW: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021): Martial arts?

A pleasant and different entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Destin Daniel Cretton directs a new entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Starring Simu Liu (Xu Shang-Chi / Shaun), Awkwafina (Katy), Tony Leung (Xu Wenwu), Meng'er Zhang (Xu Xialing) along with familiar faces Ben Kingsley and Michelle Yeoh appearing at one point during the film.

The story begins with Xu Wenwu who discovers these ten magical rings that grant exceptional power and immortality. He becomes a powerful man if you can even really call him this anymore. A grand organization is created to manipulate the world through influence and shadow work by his large organization.

The magical forest. I can help but think of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

He hears of a magical forest and visits. There he meets a woman guarding this area whom is extremely powerful. He's never met anyone that can go toe to toe with him. They eventually fall in love and have two children, Shang-Chi and Xu Xialing. He also gives up his organization and she too leaves her magical forest.

The mother is eventually killed by a rival gang and their father dons the ten rings and destroys his rivals. At the same time he's shattered with the loss of his wife and resumes his old ways.

The 10 rings are strong. How they're used is the main focus of the film.

The father Xu Wenwu, teaches Shang-Chi to become an assassin. Meanwhile, his daughter is neglected but she's secretly training herself by herself.

The fateful day comes when Shang-Chi is tasked to assassinate the leader of this rival gang. He does as he's told and promptly leaves the country to America to start a new life away from roots.

In America, he parks cars along with his friend Katy. They have no direction and are coasting along in life until one day on the bus. A stranger recognizes a pendant on the neck of Shang-Chi and demands it from Shaun, his newly chosen American name.

This is where the movie starts to pick up and we see Shaun is not what he appears especially through the viewpoint of his friend Katy. The beginning of this whirlwind story has begun and their lives will be changed forever.

Do you like martial arts? This is a welcome addition to the Marvel lineup and there is plenty of it.

I came into this film knowing absolutely nothing, I've never heard of Shang-Chi as a character before so I was not sure what to expect. Soon a martial arts movie started to emerge. Thank you Marvel, I needed something different! The eastern mysticism combined with martial arts is so refreshing and needed.

There is a lot going on in this film but it never feels overwhelming.

This living forest was an interesting touch that immediately made me think of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and when I saw Michelle Yeoh later on in the film I couldn't help but smile.

Is this a fox? They have a lot of tails and is one of the magical creatures in this world.

The runtime is 132 minutes and that's usually shorter than some of these Marvel films I've seen. There are some scenes that still need to be cut down, you could create a lean edit in the hands of a competent editor if they wished. My eyes didn't glaze over in the big cg fest at the end either so that's a great sign. I was invested in the characters and cared about the outcome, great work!

The themes of family and loss were well done and easy to digest. Redemption and perseverance also shine brightly through this tale. You understand each characters motives quickly and easily. I was pleased to see this first and foremost.

Awkwafina really nails her role. Funny and sarcastic are just what the doctor ordered here.

The chemistry between Shaun and Katy was exceptional. She's the comic relief and delivers. No groan worthy jokes from her and I hope her character develops into something that will be present in future films. She grows right along with Shaun and most importantly we are invested in her character.

Computer graphics or cg are here is abundance. The creatures they create in this magical forest are wonderful and really captured my imagination. Most based on eastern ideas of lions, birds and dragons. Seeing them brought to life convincingly was great.

Character development is first and foremost. We see the rift between the now three remaining members of this so-called family. Son and daughter fighting against a delusional father is not something anyone will forget.

I'm very pleased overall with this film. The story and action deliver while the characters are most importantly believable in an unbelievable world. Good triumphs and evil falls. This is a good popcorn movie to put on and enjoy.

Thanks for the read 🙂

All media captured by myself from the original source.