The Marvel Cinematic Universe (i.e. the MCU) has truly become a dominant force in both the cinematic superhero genre as well as the cinematic blockbuster genre. Since the series' debut in 2008, the MCU has truly risen to stardom from the popular series, creating a continuous story of interconnected superhero feature films. (all Marvel comics source material) in a shared cinematic universe. With each new entry, the MCU has grown in size (expanding its own universe of heroes, gods, and monsters) while delivering a blockbuster superhero fantasy escape for audiences everywhere. . Naturally, the franchise itself has proven to be a mighty hitter, generating a series of box office successes with each entry, showcasing the massive appeal of its plain-clothes comic heroes. and the need to pursue the different phases of the MCU continues the established ones. as well as new ones to complete the list. Now that the MCU Phase IV saga has officially begun, Marvel Studios and director Destin Daniel Cretton are gearing up for the latest installment of this hugely popular superhero franchise with Shang-Chi and Shang-Chi. Legend of the Ten Rings. Is this new hero up to the challenge, or is this just another "ordinary" MCU movie that never comes to fruition?
THE STORY OF THE MOVIE :
Shang-Chi (Simu Lui), who goes back to Shaun's time, tries to find/live a normal life in San Francisco, spending time with his best friend, Katy (Awkwafina) as they enjoy their time their own as people who do not know and have no set goals. This special and carefree lifestyle is quickly shattered by the sudden arrival of members of the dark organization Ten Rings, who seek a special pendant that Shang-Chi wears around her neck. Fully understanding the situation, Shang-Chi explains his complicated past to Katy upon their arrival in Macau, revealing that he is the son of Wenwu (Leung Chiu Wai), a man who has spent the past 1,000 years to defeat enemy souls with the help of ten mystical rings, endowed with magical powers and immortality. Wenwu only turns his back on power and violence after falling in love with Jiang Li (Falai Chen), a member of the hidden community, Xie Lu, but after his wife's death, the man returns to madness, standard conquered Ta Lo. Find a way to bring your lover back to life. Seeking help from his two sons, Shang-Chi and his daughter Xu Xialing (Meng'er Zhang), who once refused their father's request to submit, and plot against him to regain their freedom. However, as events unfold, Shang-Chi discovers a strong purpose from the past and high ambitions for her future, preparing herself to confront the dark forces and confront her. with his power-hungry father.
PRO'S AND CON'S OF THE MOVIE :
In any event…. It goes without saying (as many of you already know) that I'm a huge (and I mean big) fan of the MCU movies. I think this particular movie franchise has really thrived (in a good way) to become the mighty swashbuckler it is today, spanning over a decade (now) in the introduction of the shared universe. of magical superheroes. As one can imagine, I'm more of a fan of Marvel comic book characters than DC Comics, so the realistic cinematic portraits that each of the twenty films has released ( so far) since 2008 has certainly captivated and 'enjoyed' the inner fanboy. Of course, the success of the MCU has been extended to already established characters (i.e. Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk) as well as the addition of new characters (i.e. Black Panther, Doctor Strange and Guardians). of the Galaxy); presents different styles and stories accompanied by great stories of good and evil. Yes, I agree that these movies have found the "winning formula" and repeated the same (as a result) throughout its various entries in the "phase sagas", but that's something that certainly did. works and has a few surprises along with how both "interesting" and "entertaining" these movies are. All in all, I think the MCU (in general) has definitely left its mark on the film industry. The question remains…. How long can this shared cinematic universe of Marvel superheroes last before it becomes stale and uninterested by mainstream audiences? .I suppose only time will tell what this company will look like in the years to come.
Which brings me to Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings, a 2021 Marvel Studios superhero movie and 25th entry into the MCU. I have to admit, when the MCU Phase IV story was announced, I was quite interested in Shang-Chi. Not because I knew the character from the comics or because the cast turned out to be great, but because the movie was something completely different. This is a new character, in a new origin story, and it seems (from the commercials and trailers) to seem a bit out of place with the established superhero universe. When I watched the movie's trailers, it looked quite interesting and caught my attention. None of that "doomsday" or "missing chapter" setting of the Infinity Saga plot has been concluded yet. It feels like a fresh start for a new superhero character, and I for someone who really wants to see how this new character will stand on its own merits (movie and all) and how it will be incorporated for future films. So I decided to explore Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings while on vacation in Costa Rica. There is a cinema (just one cinema) there and they are showing movies (i.e. in English with Spanish subtitles). So while I watched the movie on its opening weekend, I paused my review of the movie for a couple of weeks because I was "rolling over" to getting some other movie reviews quickly. Defer and publish them quickly. So now…. I have time to give this full, in-depth review of this Marvel superhero movie. And what did I think about it? Well, I really like it. Despite a few rough edges, Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings is pretty much a breath of fresh air to the shared cinematic universe, with new faces, new unique staging and dynamics. family-based emotional mood, and fast-paced action sequences from start to finish. The movie isn't quite as groundbreaking as Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Black Panther or Guardians of the Galaxy, but it's a great and promising start for the MCU's newest hero.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, whose previous directorial work includes Short Term 12, Glass Castle and Just Mercy. With a background more familiar with hit TV series, Cretton seems like a somewhat unorthodox choice to head/direct a big budget superhero blockbuster. However, to my surprise, this could actually be a good thing; found Cretton's approach to the film quite effective and engaging; Breakthrough by making a blockbuster superhero movie. The result is something interesting, engaging and memorable; figure out Cretton's direction for Shang-Chi to be outstanding and memorable from the start. Part of that is really a great portrayal of Asian culture. Like Black Panther, Cretton gives the film the opportunity to explore the cultural side of Asian society through the portrayal of the actors (more on that below), the characters, and the visual aesthetic. For this reason, Cretton gives the film a strong cultural influence that shines through in almost every scene; found Shang-Chi better than I initially expected. Another good thing that Cretton does with his work as a director is that he makes the film stand out on its own merits. Means…. the film itself (i.e. story, setting, characters, action, etc.) is set. And that's actually a good thing. Basically…. I'd say you could cut out all the MCU references the movie makes throughout and you'd still get a good origin story. I commend Cretton for that.
That's not to say the movie doesn't have colorful nods, winks, and references to the world already set in the MCU, as there are a few callbacks and drop names to help paint the world. wider is at stake in Shang-Chi. . It doesn't have as many references and callbacks "on top" as what Black Widow did (thank goodness), but there are a few very interesting references (hint: Iron Man 3). In the action genre, Cretton did a great job of making Shang-Chi's action sequences shine whenever they hit the screen. While there are some elements of more traditional variety and high-end visual nuances, the film incorporates multiple combat sequences and martial arts moves throughout. This is beautifully handled and thrillingly choreographed in most of the shots that make up for the action and frenzy. Plus, while the movie is established as an origin story of a variety of superheroes, the movie never feels that way. Yes, there are a lot of unavoidably familiar storylines, but the movie itself feels more like an Asian fantasy adventure than an MCU movie…and something that I love.
Aside from the action sequences and superhero antics, Shang-Chi is perhaps strongest when it comes to submerging her story in themes and plot points about family dynamics. What do I mean? Well, by removing all the visuals and superhero antics, Cretton shapes the film into a family drama by focusing the film's lens on Shang-Chi's relationship with His "Familia", including his independent sister, late mother, and strict father. It is in those moments where function shines; showcases a lot of pretty engaging content to see how it all goes, which reinforces Shang-Chi's arc growth in terms of how he resolves/transcends these relationships in throughout the movie. Coinciding with this, the film follows the proven theme of self-discovery and identity, portrayed in Shang-Chi's character; finds wonderfully processed translation of how he comes to terms with his past and embraces his own identity in the process. This is where the film's script, written by Cretton as well as Dave Callahan, and Andrew Lanham pulls through and really makes the movie a lot more memorable than other MCU endeavors. Plus, Cretton certainly knows how to capture some of the funniest moments of personal/family drama; displays just the right amount of cinematic emotion and beauty for these sequences. The result is something that makes the film quite different. The movie may not be as impactful or thought-provoking as Black Panther could have been, but Shang-Chi is definitely up there or (at least) a good second place offering by way of focus. into a story of identity and family dynamics at the forefront of the main plot in a superhero setting.
From the presentation of the film, Shang-Chi is impressive to look at and is certainly one of the most visually representative of a superhero movie and an MCU episode. Of course, the film has moments of classic superhero popcorn, with tons of CGI visual effects as well as "epic" overall to set the background for the film; created a summer hit from start to finish. That said, the film's visual representation is more successful than the usual MCU entrance, with the Asian-influenced story aesthetic playing a major role in the overall look of the film. From modern motifs and architecture to more traditional/fantasy tones, Shang-Chi's setting is heavily Asian and the film handles it quite well, with the setting, Beautiful scenery and backgrounds throughout. Thus, the "behind-the-scenes" team of the film includes Sue Chan and Clint Wallace (production designer), Rebecca Cohen, David A. Cook and Leigh Walsh (set decoration), Kym Barrett (costume designer) and the entire art direction team, for their efforts on this film, as the finale of the film reflects the work of them wonderfully. Additionally, while the film's visual effects are solid, Bill Pope's cinematography also underpins some of the film's most dramatic and visually stunning moments with its clever use of camera angles and the cutscenes really stand out on screen. In addition, the editing by Elisabet Ronaldsdottir, Nat Sanders and Harry Yoon is also very good, especially in alternating all the martial arts action scenes. I was very impressed with it. Last is the point of the movie, written by Joel P.. West, provides great music throughout the film; incorporating Asian stylistic influences and modern blockbusters (flamboyant and grandiose) in musical compositions; resulting in an additional composition for all scenes. I love the soundtrack!
I do have a few criticisms for Shang-Chi, and while most of them aren't quite a disaster (as I enjoyed the movie so much), steal the movie a bit and prevent the feature from being one of the best. the best levels of outings in this Expanded Cinematic Universe series. For starters, the movie, no matter how you cut it or consider it, is an MCU movie, and while it does retain some identity in defense (as mentioned above) , it cannot escape the stereotypical nature of what part Marvel is made of. So it's an original superhero story, so the film can predict its narrative trajectory. Yes, this is definitely one of the best events in a while, but it's still an MCU origin story, which means the story follows the classic character reluctantly becoming a hero by means of a screen. third climax; mix of humor, drama and action between these two points. It's not a total deal-breaker, but the movie does tend to lean towards the classic superheroes of an MCU endeavor a few times, especially towards the third act, where the series' story movie decided to change the "all in" for the image. CGI heavy final battle and an "imminent doom" should the heroes fail. As such, stereotypes are still present in the film, which evokes the film's predictability.
Another problem I noticed is that the movie has a big pacing problem when moving from the first act to the second. The film's story progression and action are well done in the first act, which is great and entertaining, but the second act slows things down a bit too much. Yes, it was designed with the intention of focusing on the character development of the different main actors of the film (Shang-Chi, Xu Xialing and Wenwu), but it creates a bit of a slow pacing in the middle of the film. ; something the function can't get out of. Again, it's not a big problem area, but it's there and something that I think could have been interspersed with action sequences in that area or even something. That's a bit more appealing than what's presented. Also, while I commend the story/script of the movie in a very positive light for the movie, I think there could be a bit more insight here and there to help define this aspect. certain edges of different characters. It's hard to pinpoint, but just adding a bit of content in a few small areas can help elevate the story even more.
As a some minor criticism I think the script/movie is meant to help explain more about the actual ten rings (not the organization, but the rings themselves). I really think they will play the story more. Just to be clear, there's some in the movie and there's a lot of tension in the third climb. That being said, it's not really mentioned where, who made them, etc. Unfortunately, the movie is called Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings, so I was expecting a bit of an emphasis on the story of the real magic rings. But I guess the title sounds like the Harry Potter movie titles (e.g. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, etc.) movie. However, the movie does somewhat deal with the importance/mystery of the rings at the end, so I guess that's a consolation prize... kinda. Again, this is a very small criticism that I get .
Shang-Chi's cast is really good with an almost all-Asian cast to play different characters in the movie, here it is. Quite a feat for a successful mainstream superhero business, especially in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Like Black Panther, this cultural selection of acting talent goes beyond just "tools"; find all the participants playing their best character for this project and knocking down expectations. Plus, many of them have "dipped indigo" into their characters to create compelling moments throughout. A good example of this can be found in actor Simu Liu, who plays the main character of the film, Shang-Chi. Known for his roles in Kim's Convenience, Taken and Blood and Water, Liu is not a big-name star like some of his co-stars, but, while not a "hit" name, the actor is certainly still shines in the movies. His ability to draw empathy is evident whenever he's on screen, making it easy to take root throughout the film. The movie really leans heavily on Liu's role, especially as the hero of this movie as well as the new character on the MCU roster, as the actor handles himself quite well. play a strong character arc and have a good presence on the screen. In addition, the plot of Shang-Chi's character is rooted in compelling material, which makes his inner self/personal struggles much more effective than the standard superhero, making the His rise from "failure to hero" becomes much more engaging and narrative. . Of course, this makes his background interesting and his personality well balanced. All in all, I really think Liu did a great job as Shang-Chi and can't see what's right for the future of the MCU's character. Curious to see how his character Shang-Chi will interacts with other Avenger characters, especially with spider-man .
Behind Liu's main character, actress Meng'er Zhang also plays Shang-Chi's younger sister, Xu Xialing. At the film's premiere, Zhang plays a very solid character, whose story and involvement in Shang-Chi's main storyline makes her important to the entire film (not just a character). character leaves). Like Shang-Chi, Xialing carries a healthy dose of family drama, whose cinematic journey (story and all) deserves the investment for her. In addition, Zhang also did a very good job in this role.
In the villain category, actor Tony Leung plays the villain of Wenwu's power-hungry father, Shang-Chi and Xialing. Known for his roles in Internal Affairs, 2046 and The Grandmaster, Leung is a gifted actor, and that shows with his performance as Wenwu; play the role of a cold and aggressive father to his two children. While not as memorable or complete as other MCU villains like Thanos, Loki, and Kilmonger, Wenwu's character still stands above most villains in this shared cinematic universe; figure out his plot/motivation to make his bad character sound a little more good and human. Sure, he has a villain side, introduced in the movie, but his character has more punch and more substance than other MCU villains. So I think Leung did a great job as Wenwu. By the way, actress Chen Falai (Sound of the Desert and The Undoing) played very well as Ying Li, a member of Ta Lo village, wife of Wenwu and Shang-Chi, and mother of Xialing. She isn't in the movie as much as I would have liked, but her performance certainly helps elevate the character, while her character plays a key role in some of the film's most compelling moments. family in feature films. So it goes both "duels". Behind these three main heroes and villains of the film, actress Awkwafina brings her humorous "A" timing game to the film as Katy, Shang-Chi's best friend/best friend in film. Known for her roles in Crazy Rich Asians, Raya and the Last Dragon and The Farewell, Awkwafina has grown in popularity over the past five years or so. found her comedic acting fun and great, which is probably one of the reasons she won the role of Katy for the movie. In that respect, Awkwafina succeeds in making Katy a fun and entertaining supporting character who certainly speaks to both the caliber of her acting and the comical side of an MCU character. Personally, I like Katy from Awkwafina and hope she comes back for a Liu sequel.
In the villain category, actor Tony Leung plays the villain of Wenwu's power-hungry father, Shang-Chi and Xialing. Known for his roles in Internal Affairs, 2046 and The Grandmaster, Leung is a gifted actor, and that shows with his performance as Wenwu; play the role of a cold and aggressive father to his two children. While not as memorable or complete as other MCU villains like Thanos, Loki, and Kilmonger, Wenwu's character still stands above most villains in this shared cinematic universe; figure out his plot/motivation to make his bad character sound a little more good and human. Sure, he has a villain side, introduced in the movie, but his character has more punch and more substance than other MCU villains. So I think Leung did a great job as Wenwu. By the way, actress Chen Falai (Sound of the Desert and The Undoing) played very well as Ying Li, a member of Ta Lo village, wife of Wenwu and Shang-Chi, and mother of Xialing. She isn't in the movie as much as I would have liked, but her performance certainly helps elevate the character, while her character plays a key role in some of the film's most compelling moments. family in feature films. So it goes both "duels". Behind these three main heroes and villains of the film, actress Awkwafina brings her humorous "A" timing game to the film as Katy, Shang-Chi's best friend/best friend in film. Known for her roles in Crazy Rich Asians, Raya and the Last Dragon and The Farewell, Awkwafina has grown in popularity over the past five years or so. found her comedic acting fun and great, which is probably one of the reasons she won the role of Katy for the movie. In that respect, Awkwafina succeeds in making Katy a fun and entertaining supporting character who certainly speaks to both the caliber of her acting and the comical side of an MCU character. Personally, I like Katy from Awkwafina and hope she comes back for a Liu sequel.
In other supporting roles, actress Michelle Yeoh, known for her roles in Crazy Rich Asians, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Memoirs of a Geisha, has risen to MCU fame as an actress. seasoned "senior" (a classic spell for every superhero episode), with her taking on the character Yin Nan, a guardian of Ta Lo village and someone with a close relationship. with Shang-Chi and Xu Xialing. Even though she appears in the second half of the movie, I have to say I love Yeoh and I'm so glad she's a part of this superhero universe. Her character is more of a royal advisor character, so there isn't much development for Yin Nan, but Yeoh's portrayal helps elevate that, making her involvement strong as well. . Likewise, actor Florian "Big Nasty" Munteanu created a raw and effective character as Razor Fist, a powerful member of the Ten Rings. Like Yeoh's Yin Nan, Munteanu, who is known for his roles in Creed II, doesn't have as much character development as Razor Fist, but that's simply by design; serves as the formidable leader of Wenwu's Ten Ring organization. Think of it like his involvement in Creed II, Munteanu is more of a standout character in this movie than a full-fledged character. That's not to say Munteanu does his part well, and I like him as Razor Fist. Hopefully he will return in future parts of Shang-Chi. Additionally, actor Ben Kingsley, known for his roles in Schindler's List, Gandhi and The Jungle Book, will return to reprise his role as Trevor Slattery in Iron Man 3. Though I won't spoil the engagement. his role in the film, but I've found his return amusing (acting as comic relief) and helping to connect the film with the broader universe of what came before. there.
Finally, as you would almost expect from a Marvel movie, Shang-Chi has two Easter egg scenes at the end of the film, one in the middle of the credits and the other at the end of the credits. While I won't spoil you with what these two scenes cover, they are quite entertaining and leave the door open for other adventures of some of the characters in the film to be explored further as well as the universe. the larger common of the MCU.
Final Thoughts of the film :
Trying to find his place in the world, Shang-Chi's dark past resurfaces as he must confront it and find his own identity in Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten. ring. Director Destin Daniel Cretton's latest film is the next in the Marvel Cinematic Universe; introduces a new character with a fantastical origin story for audiences to follow from start to finish; relies more on the merits of this feature than the superhero sandbox it stars in. Although the film falls within the sights of some commonly used MCU tropes and traditional superhero tropes, the film still manages to weather many of these criticisms, especially thanks to Cretton's direction, a story line has excellent backgrounds, compelling themes/dynamics, solid action, excellent visuals, and a great cast, especially Liu's performance. Personally, I really liked this movie. Yes, I know I'm a Marvel fan, but trust me, the movie finds a better place than some of the other installments in the MCU's return catalog…. especially in its origin story aspects. Like I said, the movie can basically stand on its own and not be fully bound to the larger superhero universe it's set in, which is really cool, and I really enjoyed the appearance. its. Also, the pictures are great. So my recommendation for the movie is a "highly recommended", as Marvel fans will surely be pleased with the feature, while casual viewers will probably be hooked on the movie because Personal struggles are found in this superhero-based business. As I mentioned, the film's epilogue leaves the door open to deepening the mystery of Shang-Chi's plight while remaining part of the broader Marvel Superhero Universe. Either way, I'm really looking forward to seeing how things turn out and looking forward to the next chapter of Shang-Chi. Until then, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a fun and highly entertaining superhero blockbuster from the realm of Marvel Super Heroes, delivering on the promise of a brand new start. A great (and electrifying) start for a new character in its vast universe of heroes, villains, gods and monsters.
4.3 Out of 5 (Highly Recommended)
Released On: September 3rd, 2021
Reviewed On: September 22nd, 2021
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is 132 minutes long and is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, and language
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