Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Review
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has begun phase four with a bang. Wandavision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki and What If… ? have all proven to be extremely successful series, and Black Widow felt like a fitting end to the original Avenger’s story. But after what has felt like a very long wait due to the pandemic, we’ve finally been introduced to a brand new superhero, Shang-Chi (played by Simu Liu).
This film has not only been anticipated because fans were excited to potentially meet the first new Avenger of phase four, but more importantly it has made history as the first of Marvel’s Asian-led superhero films. As was said about Black Panther and Captain Marvel, this inclusion and diversity is long overdue. The rave reviews, box office records and incredible reception the movie has received already is proof enough.
Just as Black Panther felt like a celebration of African culture, this feels like a celebration of East Asian culture, starting with the regular use of the Mandarin Chinese language. Although there are subtitles, according to some Chinese viewers, the film is much cooler if you also speak the language. The mix of martial arts seen throughout the film give the fight scenes a much different feel to previous fight scenes seen in the MCU. Then you have the Chinese mythological creatures that steal the show, such as the Huli Jing, Shishi (Guardian Lions), and the most beautiful CGI dragon.
There are plenty of stand-out moments within the film that make it one of the best origin movies, not only in the MCU, but in the history of cinema. The choreography during many of the fight scenes is mesmerising, particularly an early fight scene with Shang-Chi’s mother, Ying Li (played by Fala Chen) and father, Xu Wenwu (played by Tony Leung) in a bamboo forest that incorporates a stunning mix of fighting and dancing. The VFX are also as impressive as you expect a modern-day superhero film to showcase, especially when we enter Ta-Lo, Shang-Chi’s mother’s hidden village.
What truly makes this film unique, though, is that as a viewer, we are following the story through Shang-Chi’s friend, Katy’s (played by Awkwafina) eyes. We find out who Shang-Chi is, who his parents are, and his story so far in dribs and drabs, getting pieces of the puzzle at the same time as Katy. This tactic could make the audience feel less connected to the superhero, but it in fact makes the story more intriguing.
The acting is also simply superb. While Awkwafina’s Katy offers comic relief and relatability, Shang-Chi’s younger sister, Xu Xialing (played by Meng’er Zhang) is the perfect example of a badass, strong woman determined not to get left behind by men who don’t think she’s worthy (spoiler alert, the men are wrong). Simu Li plays Shang-Chi in a way that makes the character come across as shy and reserved, and doesn’t yet know how powerful he can — and will — be. It’s refreshing to be introduced to a superhero who’s quite the opposite to many of the other Avengers, and will balance out the arrogance and assuredness of the likes of Star-Lord and Doctor Strange.
While this film falls short of being the best in the MCU, it’s easily one of the best origin movies. So much so that it would be a shame not to see any of these characters in any upcoming MCU projects. It’s not only exciting to think about what Shang-Chi will get up to next, but also how Katy and Xu Xialing will fit into this universe. The film finishes with two post-credits scenes, and both are worth staying in your seat for.
Hannah Parker
