By: Andrew Wing & Ted Trafton (but mostly Andrew)

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a 2021 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics featuring the title character Shang-Chi. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is the 25th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), preceded by Black Widow (see Ted’s full review here). The film is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (also directed Short Term 12, Just Mercy) from a screenplay he wrote with Dave Callaham (also wrote Wonder Woman 1984, Mortal Kombat) and Andrew Lanham, from a story by Cretton and Callaham. It stars Simu Liu (Kim’s Convenience) as Shang-Chi alongside Awkwafina (Crazy Rich Asians, The Farwell), Meng’er Zhang in her film debut as Shang-Chi’s sister Xu Xialing, Fala Chen (The Undoing), Florian Munteanu (Creed II), Benedict Wong reprising his role as Wong, Doctor Strange’s right-hand man, Michelle Yeoh (Tomorrow Never Dies, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), Tony Leung (Chungking Express, In the Mood for Love) as Xu Wenwu, Shang-Chi’s father and leader of the Ten Rings, and last but not least Ben Kingsley, who reprises his role from Iron Man 3 (2013) as Trevor Slattery. In the film, Shang-Chi is forced to confront his past after he is drawn into his father’s Ten Rings organization.

A film based on Shang-Chi entered development in 2001, but work did not begin until December 2018 when Callaham was hired to write the screenplay. Cretton joined in March 2019, with the project fast-tracked as Marvel’s first film with an Asian lead. The film’s title and primary cast were announced later that year in July, revealing the film’s connection to the famous Ten Rings organization, which previously appeared throughout the MCU. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is the first Marvel Studios film with an Asian director and a predominantly Asian cast. Filming began in February 2020 but like so many other movies finally coming out this year, was put on hold in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Production resumed in August 2020 before completing in October.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings premiered in Los Angeles on August 16, 2021, and was released in the United States on September 3, 2021, as part of Phase Four of the MCU. So far, the film has broken numerous box office records, and has already grossed over $146 million worldwide in its opening weekend.

THE GOOD

I won’t lie, when Kevin Fiege and Marvel announced their slate for Phase Four of the MCU, I was skeptical when I saw Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings as one of the feature films. The main reasons I was skeptical was because one, I had no knowledge of the title character Shang-Chi, and two, the last time Marvel made a movie dealing with the Ten Rings organization, it was Iron Man 3 in 2013 and that is widely regarded as one of the bottom tier MCU movies. Boy oh boy was I wrong though. This movie far exceeded my expectations for many reasons that I will discuss in this review. Before getting to that though, I just have to say that this was hands down one of the more enjoyable MCU movies I have seen in recent years with its straight up action scenes and its insanely different and fresh introduction to a character that is going to be around for a long time in the MCU.

Another reason I think I was skeptical heading into this movie was simply the fact that I had never heard of the actor Simu Liu who plays the title character Shang-Chi. But now, with his amazing performance in this, I can say for a fact that I will never forget him. His performance as Shang-Chi is definitely one of the best parts of the entire movie. I really felt that he just embodied everything that it takes to play a superhero in the MCU with his ability to be a complete badass when fighting but also make you laugh out loud like we have seen with other MCU actors for years now such as Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, and obviously Chris Pratt as Star-Lord. His on-screen chemistry with co-star Awkwafina who plays Shang-Chi’s best friend Katy was amazing, and the comedic scenes of them going back and forth made myself and the entire theater crack up more than a handful of times. But honestly, Marvel made a great decision picking Liu for this role and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him in the MCU as Shang-Chi.

After having a few days to sit on it, I can say with certainty that the best part of this movie in my opinion is the choreography of the action sequences. In particular, the bus scene that really kicks off the movie is just great and is exactly what all fans of Marvel movies want. It felt contained in a way that allowed you to just take in everything you were getting in that scene and the visual effects in that entire sequence were top-notch. I would have to say that it was definitely one of the best action sequences to take place in a Marvel movie that I have seen in recent memory. Speaking of action sequences, I also really liked the one that took place on a tall building with scaffolding because it shows you just how good Marvel is when it comes to fight choreography because it was really freaking good.

Outside of the great performance by Simu Liu in the lead, there were a few performances from supporting characters Tony Leung, Awkwafina, and Meng’er Zhang that stole the show. First with Tony Leung, I thought he was truly amazing as the film's antagonist. I felt his performance as Xu Wenwu made him an above average Marvel villain because one, he was human, and two, like other Marvel villains in the past, his reasons for doing what he is doing are arguably justified. Next with Awkwafina, I thought Marvel knocked it out of the park casting her as the comedic relief character who is this grounded character with no powers that we see often in superhero movies. It was so funny seeing her react to everything going on around her like the regular person she is and I just thought she was extremely well utilized in this film from start to finish. Lastly, Meng’er Zhang was the most badass character of them all as Shang-Chi’s estranged sister Xu Xialing. It was crazy finding out that this was Zhang’s feature film debut because of how awesome she is in the movie and I don’t think I’m going out on a limb saying that she will be in many more action movies in her young career.

There were a couple more things that I loved about this movie that I felt were worth noting. First off, it was just great to finally get a Marvel movie that explores and represents Asian culture. Obviously, Black Panther was an outstanding landmark in cinema with its cultural significance to the African-American culture, and I really think Marvel did it again with this as it continues to break box office records all over the world. Also, this movie is incredibly funny. I went and saw it with my brother in a packed theater and it was just great to hear the crowd laugh over and over again at it. The scenes that probably got the most laughs took place when the main characters drive to Ta Lo and are being guided there by Kingsley’s hilarious character Trevor Slattery and his animal companion Morris. Lastly, it was so damn cool seeing Florian Munteanu (actor who played Viktor Drago in Creed II) as Razor Fist, a member of the Ten Rings who has a freaking machete blade for his right hand!

From Ted’s Perspective…

Similar to Andrew, I went into Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings somewhat blind as far as knowledge of the character, or anything related to the film and how it fit into the MCU really. When the first trailers dropped, I was excited to see it because it looked like a visual powerhouse, and it was a Marvel film, always a good combo. And man was this a blast to watch in the theater. The fight choreography was amazing, the CGI and overall visuals were glorious, and the fun factor was just through the roof. Oh, and it was very funny as well. It is definitely the most culture heavy Marvel film since Black Panther, and I mean that as a compliment.

It has come to be expected that acting is top-notch for any Marvel film, and although we are lacking the long list of big names we are used to, that is still the case with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Lead Simu Liu is fantastic in his role and is believable from start to finish. I never once thought he came across as corny, and for me that is huge. He has a very bright future in the MCU. I am a fan of comedian/actress Awkwafina, but do feel she is more often than not typecast in her roles which limits her value. Lucky for me and other fans of this particular film, her trademark brand of humor actually works extremely well and adds an element of comic relief that I really enjoyed. Andrew was also spot on when he gave actress Meng’er Zhang her credit as Shang-Chi/Shaun’s sister. Be sure to stay for the incredible post-credits, it had me pumped up and I can’t wait to see more from her. The cast was great all around.

Part of why this film is unique is the fact that we look at Shaun, or Shang-Chi, as a regular guy who just happens to be someone who is capable of manhandling a guy built like an NFL linebacker, with a machete for an arm! As fans of movies like this, we love to see that regular guy who is all of a sudden someone nobody wants to mess with. Its relatable and fun, and for me that’s always a key ingredient as far as entertainment value. Plus the action is pretty much nonstop from start to finish, so the 2+ hours goes by really fast.

THE BAD

There is no denying that this is an overall good movie that is extremely enjoyable and fun to watch. There were some things that I would have liked to have been different that I will discuss, but it is important to remember that this is a superhero film serving as an origin story to a new character, so you are just going to get some of the usual cliches that are tough to avoid when making these movies.

I know I just said in “The Good” portion that the best thing about this movie is the choreography of the action sequences and IT IS in my opinion, but I couldn’t help but feel that the editing in those action scenes felt a little too quick at times. I am no expert when it comes to martial arts films, but I felt it would’ve been beneficial for some of the fight scenes (not the bus one because that is PERFECT) to be shot in one long take so we can truly watch and be amazed by the choreography because it is amazing.

Another thing that bothered me was that for as much as the film pushed family dynamics, I did not walk out of the theater thinking about the dynamics of family and how Shang-Chi had to overcome all of his past hardships with his family. Maybe it is just me, but I just felt the way this movie settled those issues was sort of generic and almost default in a way. In my opinion, it just didn’t pay off at the deeper level that I think it was going for because of the amount of exposition it spent on the topics surrounding family.

The last thing I just got to get off my chest is that I found there to be an overabundance of CGI in the final big battle scene with all of the dragons and the other creatures. I honestly don’t know why they went that route, I would have much rather seen more martial arts fights and more using of the actual Ten Rings than watching screeching dragons trying to tear each other apart for minutes on end but that’s just me.

From Ted’s Perspective…

You’d be hard pressed to criticize much about Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, it is just an all-around very enjoyable film. But if you had to get nitpicky, I suppose you could say that sometimes they opt for more of a comedic tone which can at times take away from the intensity of the more pivotal scenes. But in all honesty, I think they actually had a nice balance. I mean this is a Marvel film kicking off Phase 4 of the MCU, and much like the tail end of Phase 3 with Avengers: Endgame and Thor Ragnarok etc, all of the films find that balance of serious and funny which has become a trademark for Marvel. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings might favor the humor similar to Ragnarok, but it still works.

THE VERDICT

While Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings isn’t entirely free of Marvel’s familiar formula, it still makes for an exciting and fresh origin story that expands the MCU in more ways than one.

The 25th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is definitely a top-tier Marvel movie in my book as it explores and represents Asian culture like no other superhero movie has before. It is propelled by some impressive choreography in the action sequences, a ton of humor, and obviously some standout performances from Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Meng’er Zhang, and Tony Leung as the film’s antagonist and leader of the Ten Rings.

From Ted’s Perspective…

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is easily one of the deeper films in the MCU as far as a backstory with considerable substance. The root of the story is anchored in the complicated web of love, companionship, family, and just what it means to become a parent and everything that comes along with it. As a parent myself, I appreciated the complexities that the film explored when it comes to legacy, sacrifice, and commitment to your significant other. I’m still blown away by just how fulfilling of an experience this movie was, and can’t wait to add it to my Blu-ray collection. Be sure to stick around for the two post-credit scenes as well, because they will have you fired up for what is to come. I can’t wait!

But aside from all that, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is the perfect example of why we go to the movie theater, which is why it demolished the box office over Labor Day weekend, and even influenced the release of Venom: Let There Be Carnage to move up a few weeks. I realize I have said this before, but I am going to say it again, movies are definitely back!! So start digging in the couch cushions for change if that’s what you need to do, and check this out sooner than later. I hope to see it again very, very soon.