Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Review – a Welcome Introduction to a New Hero

“This Marvel outing honours a new corner of the superhero franchise…”

With the introduction of a new hero in the MCU, comes a new pattern in the MCU’s tapestry. The new face of Shang-Chi is no exception. This Marvel outing honours a new corner of the superhero franchise whilst still giving the usual easter eggs and thrills that we know and love, although it doesn’t get everything as right as we’d want.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings tells the story of Simu Liu’s “Shaun”, a valet living in San Fransisco who turns out to be a rogue trained martial arts expert and son of the real Mandarin, Wenwu, played by Hong Kong film legend Tony Leung Chiu-wai. The story really kicks in when Shaun, real name Shang-Chi, is forced to face his past and his villainous father’s Ten Rings organisation.

First off, the film gets us knowing our characters well from the moment we meet them. Liu handles his job as the leading man very well and makes us warm to the normal life of his character very well. On the flip side, he plays Shang-Chi’s internal pain very well also and has you fully invested in this young man running from his past. Not to mention, his fighting skills in this film are top notch.

Awkwafina is easily the standout of the film. Her comedic chops show naturally, being elevated by the script. She is probably the last person you’d expect to have such a prominent role in a Marvel film, but you’re thankful she does from the moment you meet Katy. Leung’s Wenwu is a new and interesting take on a villain for sure. The father of the main hero and a man with decades of grieving fuelling his actions. There is a reason Leung has had such a favourable career and he shows it as such a complicated antagonist.

Unfortunately, not all of the main roles are as utilised and effective as you’d like. Meng’er Zhang’s Xu Xialing, Shang’s sister, does have her moments in the film. She signifies female power. She brims with independence. However, not enough is done for us to really feel anything. Even her BIG scene (you’ll know it when you see it), feels forced and doesn’t really add all that much anticipation for her future in the MCU.

The story overall, and its use of the legendary credit scenes, is strong. The plot takes us on a fun ride and plays with our expectations from time to time. Maybe not very much, but it does happen. The use of threading our hero’s past continuously throughout the story is nice way to still have us enjoying the present day whilst getting answers on questions regarding the characters past. Some films will heavily load us up with a trip back in time all at once for a drawn out period, to the point where we forget there is a present tense to go back to almost. Thankfully that isn’t the case here.

We also couldn’t forget mentioning once again the dynamic between the hero and villain. Father and son, actually. Such a new, central relationship that really creates an aspect for the story where we don’t know what route they could go down. The relationship plays to be subjective, very much like the idea around Thanos; do you sympathise with our big bad, or do we disagree completely with his plans for his son? Or, a bit of both?

The only main downside of the storytelling here is the pacing. There feels to be too many times where action sequences can be cut down and tightened to make for a less…well…drawn out, boring event. The sequences are spectacular, and the visuals are not to be dumped on, but dragging them out so much can have you looking at your watch from time to time.

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As a small character tidbit, we also get some surprise returns throughout (literally between the second act and the end of the credits). We won’t say much about this with the film being fresh on the big screen, but oh boy. Big shocks. Some tie up plot threads from years gone by. Some introduce more questions for the MCU moving forward.

Director Destin Daniel Cretton holds on tight to the martial arts backdrop of the film, and it is done beautifully. the film acts as a perfect introduction for the MCU’s first Asian leading superhero. With heavy leaning into Chinese culture and martial arts, Cretton could have created overkill quite easily, but luckily he balances everything well. From this we get interesting and sincere exposure into the world of this hero and it doesn’t feel crammed into our faces, it feels smooth and well timed.

One of the greatest things about the tone of this film is that it is definitely its own thing, much like MCU outings such as Doctor Strange or Black Panther. However, we still get that Marvel peppering that lets you know you’re in the world where infinity stones and mythical gods exist. The branding never escapes a Marvel film, but the tone is malleable enough for it to stand aside in its own corner.

Maybe the only aspect of Cretton’s tone is the use of mysticism. The way in which it flows through the story feels slightly cliché. Whereas Black Panther swung for the fences and tossed some typical expectations on their heads, Legend of the Ten Rings plays it safe at times and gives us visuals and aspects that you could assume all along.

The film weighs in on the experiment of mixing different cultures with the superhero world. A growing trend that is so effective in today’s world and is embraced by all. Again, like Black Panther, it takes a step forward in broadening the look and feel of heroic characters without making it’s point too much of a spectacle. 

Overall, it is great to get such a fresh entry so far into the MCU’s tenure. Though it doesn’t play with expectations too much and doesn’t take as many risks as it should have, the story doesn’t suffer for it and you are happy this character is finally on the big screen. Yes, the pacing feels neglected in sections and some visual stereotypes are present from time to time, but each character gets their own job for the plot and our main villain is an obstacle for the hero in more ways than one.

We are sure to be happy to see the film’s main characters in the future. That is a definite. As far as ratings go, it is a 8.3/10 from us.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is currently showing in cinemas.