Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

After a couple years away from Marvel, we're now certainly getting our plates full of it between 4 film releases this year and our 4th(!) show already via Disney+. 

The House of Mouse wastes no time getting back to business!

After a fun, but weirdly inserted Black Widow (of which I feel like I overrated now as it hasn't stuck with me much...), Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings marks the somewhat "true" first Phase 4 film of the MCU in a post-Endgame world, not really counting the epilogue that is Far From Home.

Being transparent, the trailers for Shang-Chi were not exciting me over the past several months. They felt woefully generic in their structure and sold a rather unexciting film with lackluster action. It was a fear of mine that this new Phase would be starting off on the wrong foot with a fine, but unnecessary/too-late Black Widow send-off and a "meh" origin story. 

In a way, the trailers for Shang-Chi - a movie I was going to see either way because I'm #committed - almost did it a favor. The actual film is a spectacle, filled with immediately relatable characters, incredible action, and a wonderful dive into Asian-American fantasy, all of which I was delighted to find out for myself and have my expectations shattered.  

Phase 4 needed to start off on the right foot (at least when introducing its new heroes) and Shang-Chi more than accomplishes that. In fact, it's one of Marvel's best hero origin films. Period.

We're immediately introduced to the beauty that this film captures via a backstory introduction that plays like a Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon segment. Director Destin Daniel Cretton is able to pull off the martial arts work and gorgeous action shots, signaling that the film overall may have more up its sleeve than originally sold. Throughout the film, it consistently reminds you of how gorgeous it can be whether that's the color being used, camera shots, action editing and choreography, or special effects...this is one of Marvel's best looking and filmed features to date. Of course, I may be saying the same thing in a couple months when we get Chloe Zhao's Eternals, but that shouldn't diminish how stylish Shang-Chi is. This is especially important and valued during its more fantastical moments (without spoilers) that could have been cheesy or eye-rolling, but thanks to really impressive special effects, color, and camera work (not to mention some imagination), these moments become some of the best of the film. 

The special effects were outstanding. Marvel should continue to invest in having the best special effects because when it's not there...ouch

Shang-Chi immediately lets you know what you can expect from an action perspective too, and it's equally as impressive. Again, the trailers sold a martial arts film that didn't feel all that different than this summer's earlier dud Snake Eyes. No, I didn't get around to reviewing that film almost exclusively because I read consensus the action editing was awful. Turns out I made the right decision because Shang-Chi has stupendous action sequences with creative choreography, unique camera movement, and best of all: awesome editing! Particularly in the first half of the film, there's two very impressive sequences that are some of the best action Marvel has ever done. If you've been a reader for a while, you know that Civil War is my "high point" for the MCU's action and Shang-Chi comes remarkably close to approaching that crown. Even when the "ten rings" get introduced into the action, they're just f**king cool. The animation and special effects for them are wild and they already feel like a natural extension of other MCU weapons to where it's exciting to envision Shang-Chi using them as an Avenger someday. 

Will be fun to see this team interact
with say...the Guardians?

Our story and characters also hit home, though it's maybe only the organization of this that feels like Shang-Chi's biggest misstep. Marvel has a history of [mostly] generic villains in their standalone films, but in Shang-Chi, that villain is much more complicated as its Shang-Chi's father. Rather than making him wholly evil and 100% easy to hate, the film spends quite a bit of time providing back story on their family. It works really well in terms of producing the family drama that drives the core of the film, but it also comes at the expense of a laggy middle 30-40 minutes that starts to feel like one giant exposition dump. That's not all bad because this is a lovely cast with characters that you'll immediately welcome into the MCU. Simu Liu as our titular character is definitely green, but endearing and magnetic. By the end of his tenure in the role, we'll likely be having a hard time envisioning anyone else filling it. Awkwafina is excellent as Katy and brings some spicy humor, while also having her own satisfying arc. Tony Chiu-Wai Leung as Xu (Shang-Chi's father) is a strong pillar for the film's emotional beat while getting some awesome action of his own. And lastly, Meng'er Zhang as Xialing (Shang-Chi's sister) will be an interesting force to be reckoned with in the MCU for a long time to come I presume. 

Shang-Chi really does so much well that it feels like a breath of fresh air both from a cultural standpoint in the MCU but also as the "true" beginning to this next phase. I appreciated that it didn't spend a lot of time looking back on the past and cemented itself as setting up our next favorite Avenger (someday). Whether Disney intended for those trailers to be so dull and lifeless compared to the real thing is uncertain, but what is certain is that Shang-Chi is top tier Marvel and one hell of a good time.

CONS

• Exposition-heavy middle section that begins to drag
• Missing a "single-take" action moment that would have been wildly impressive
• Feels a little too long, likely from the middle portion and the ending battle that ever-so-slightly overstays its welcome

PROS

• This cast is wonderful. Simu Liu and Awkwafina are highlights and will fit into the MCU seamlessly
• Unique origin story that may play out like you expect, but comes with a family core that earns its emotional beats
• Fantastic direction and beauty from Destin Daniel Cretton. This is one of Marvel's prettiest films
• Impressive action that is edited very well. All rejoice with me!
• A fun soundtrack where needed with a good original score elsewhere
• Very strong special effects which is something I feel like is lacking in these stand-alone features (i.e. Black Widow's weren't amazing)
• Ten rings are an awesome weapon, and get a very cool finale
• Some fun "Marvel" moments for those who've been along for the ride
• Fantasy moments are gorgeous, look wonderful, and don't feel as silly as you'd think
• Keeps the entertainment factor/balance of action, humor, and mystery that Marvel is known for

Rath's Review Score | 9/10