Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Directed by: Destin Daniel Cretton | 132 minutes | action, adventure | Actors: Simu Liu, Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Awkwafina, Ben Kingsley, Meng’er Zhang, Fala Chen, Michelle Yeoh, Wah Yuen, Florian Munteanu, Andy Le, Paul W. He, Jayden Zhang, Elodie Fong, Arnold Sun, Stephanie Hsu, Kunal Dudheker, Tsai Chin, Jodi Long, Dallas Liu, Ronny Chieng, Daniel Liu, Stella Ye

The character Shang-Chi appeared in the comic books as early as 1973. In 2018, Marvel gave Shang-Chi the go-ahead for the first Marvel film with an Asian protagonist. In 2019, American-Japanese filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton, known for ‘Short Term 12’ and ‘Just Mercy’, was appointed as director. Although Cretton was never really interested in directing a superhero movie, he did see the importance of creating a world and superhero that Asian children would recognize themselves in. And in this he succeeded very well. Now “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” is the 25th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and is part of Phase Four.

Long ago, Xu Wenwu (Tony Chiu-Wai Leung) finds ten mysterious rings that make him immortal and give him divine powers. He founds the Ten Rings organization that becomes a global power over the course of history. Years later (in 1996), he is in a bamboo jungle in search of Ta Lo, a realm where mythical Chinese creatures live. However, at the entrance, he is stopped by the guard, Ying Li (Fala Chen). They fall in love. Ying Li’s supporters do not accept Wenwu, so Ying Li leaves this realm to build a life with Wenwu. Wenwu too, his heart softened by love, puts away the rings and throws himself into family life. They have two children, Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) and Xialing (Meng’er Zhang) and they are happy. However, the past cannot be forgotten and family life is derailed. Years later, Shang-Chi works far from his family in San Francisco. He works with his best friend who knows nothing about his past. One day he is attacked by a group and everything changes. This leads him back to his past. And the monsters waiting for him there.

The plot of ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ is the standard Hero’s Journey storyline where the protagonist is forced to embark on a path that leads to self-discovery, self-development and a better world. However, where all MCU movies are about power and world domination, this one is about love. The plot is also part of the MCU at the same time. The organization of The Ten Rings has already appeared in previous Marvel films, such as ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Iron Man Three’. In ‘Shang-Chi’ much more becomes clear about The Ten Rings and sheds a retrospective light on the Marvel storylines.

According to Marvel Vice President Victoria Alonso, Simu Liu had always been Shang-chi’s choice, mostly because of his passion for the character. Marvel is known for good casting and they don’t fall short here either. Simu Liu had the arduous task of portraying Shang-Chi on the silver screen and making him a worthy MCU member. The battle scenes are convincing, dominant and flowing like water. While the character is a little stiff at times, with a not-too-broad emotional spectrum, his overall performance is of Marvel value.

Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, a legend in China, should of course not be left untouched. Marvel gave him free rein to come up with the backstory of his own character. Tony exudes calm strength in his role as Xu Wenwu, the quiet dominance of a leader, the iron hand in a satin glove. He is the wise father whose motives you understand, without standing behind his ‘how’. This makes the character complex and interesting.

As serious as the subjects are, in Marvel movies, the tension is never always taut. Awkwafina and Ben Kingsley, as Katy and Trevor Slattery respectively, are the icebreakers, the Marvel comedians who bear the weight of heavy emotional loads. Furthermore, it seems that no Chinese film is made without Michelle Yeoh (in the role of Ying Nan). On the path of the hero, she is the mentor who helps him on his way to himself. While she’s a great actress, this isn’t a movie that demands too much of her acting skills.

‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ is an entertaining action film with masterful special effects and perfectly choreographed fight scenes. The plot is fairly standard and predictable. The conversations are usually there to get the movie started. Within the tight parameters of the story, the actors make the most of it and this film is a worthy addition to the MCU’s iron repertoire. Don’t expect philosophical depth, but you’re sure to be entertained.