Anthony's Film Review - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Marvel Studios releases its first film with an Asian superhero, and it is outstanding...

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the first Marvel superhero movie with an Asian protagonist, naturally lends itself to comparison with Black Panther, the first Marvel superhero movie with an African protagonist. Both films focus on racial groups that have been marginalized for decades in America and are designed to provide much-needed inspiration for those communities. Even though I am not of African descent, I remember watching Black Panther and feeling so happy for the African American community, knowing what black people had to endure throughout American history. I can honestly say that this feeling is similar for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in relation to Shang-Chi. This film is definitely not a rehash of Black Panther, yet it still results in the wonderful boosting of a minority group, something we especially need more of given the turbulent events of 2020 and beyond.

Another comparison with a different Marvel Cinematic Universe film is worth making here. Previously, I reviewed Black Widow, in which I implied that Marvel Studios should really be considered an action film production company, not a niche studio that does only superhero movies. I said that because Black Widow could be seen as a high-tech spy action thriller, rather than a Marvel superhero movie with the superhero being a Russian assassin. With Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, you can call it a Marvel superhero movie featuring the first Asian superhero or a martial arts movie with the protagonist who just happens to eventually have super powers. If anything, my good friend who is a die-hard MCU movie fan said it best: Marvel Studios makes movies of different genres that feature superheroes, not superhero movies.

Anyway, the point is that each new Marvel film provides something new and fresh compared to what came before, even if the theme of superheroes unites all the MCU films. For example, the prologue of Shang-Chi really looks and feels like a Chinese film, specifically the genres of historical drama and martial arts fantasy. Xu Wenwu (Tony Leung) is a man whose power is derived from ten rings of magical power worn on his forearms. Because he is also immortal, his influence spreads far not only across geographical space, but also across time. He has led an ancient Chinese army to victory after victory and toppled foreign powers, and he now leads an international criminal organization called the Ten Rings. But he also discovers love, when he meets a woman in an isolated place beyond a seemingly impenetrable bamboo forest. Together, the couple have two children: a son named Shang-Chi and a daughter named Xialing.

Fast forward to the present day. Shang-Chi (played by Simu Liu) is living as a Chinese American guy in San Francisco named Shaun. He works as a valet parking attendant along with his best friend Katy (played by Awkwafina). Life seems to go on as usual until he is attacked by mysterious men while riding an SF Muni bus. It may be just the first action sequence in the movie, but it's actually one of the best ones, and it admirably sets the stage for the rest of the movie. This strange turn of events makes Shaun realize that he must return to China to meet with his father, especially as he receives a postcard that supposedly comes from sister Xialing (played by Meng'er Zhang).

This is one of those movies where multiple flashbacks are inserted between segments of the present-day story and serve to gradually reveal more and more about the past. It's done very well here, especially as the most profound revelations are reserved for the late part of the story. In addition, various themes are presented seamlessly here, like confronting one's past, making tough decisions with major consequences, never forgetting one's family, and redeeming oneself. That's how you present a solid plot: give the audience some things to really think about. And of course, you have Asian cultural elements like martial arts and creatures from Asian mythology.

The characters in this movie are just great. In general, they are fleshed-out three-dimensional people who are easy to relate to. I'm talking not just about the main characters of Shang-Chi, Xialing, and Wenwu, but also others like Ying Nan (played by Michelle Yeoh) and Trevor Slattery (played by Ben Kingsley). Still, one character easily remains my favorite: Wenwu. I'll tell you what he is not: a one-dimensional cardboard villain who is pure evil for no apparent reason. He is, in fact, a multi-faceted individual with both humanity and moral ambiguity. On the one hand, he has done so many cruel things as a criminal lord. But he also becomes more compassionate as he becomes both a husband and a father. The plot ultimately centers on a quest to fulfill the one thing he desires most. It's something that he believes will put him at peace, but that we know will actually be catastrophic. Simply put, Wenwu is a very sympathetic villain driven ultimately by good intentions.

Let's go back quickly to the action in Shang-Chi. I already mentioned the bus fight scene. If you love that part, you will no doubt be thrilled by all of the other action sequences. They are awesome in my opinion. They are not boring one-on-one duels of fists and feet. Some are reminiscent of Jackie Chan movies, with martial arts action being chaotic and in rather interesting types of spaces. Others are more along the lines of a large-scale epic war movie, with fantasy elements thrown in. Basically, what you have here is an exciting summer blockbuster movie. By hitting theaters during the first weekend of September 2021, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has capped a COVID-limited summer movie season with something we can definitely remember.

I shall end this review with some kind words about Marvel Studios. In the early 2010s, I had brushed off the studio's method of putting all superhero films in the same fictional universe as a cheap marketing gimmick. After all, Hollywood always seems to find ways to make as much money as possible by whatever means necessary, and the MCU seemed like another example. But as time went on, particularly after Avengers: Endgame, I began to really admire what Marvel Studios is doing. They are indeed focused on making enjoyable films with the audience in mind, and the money is simply following them. Now, with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the production company has truly earned my respect. This is officially the 25th theatrically-released MCU film, and I imagine we'll mark the milestone of the 50th film in no time. No matter the reason you watch Shang-Chi, whether you crave more Asian American cinema or just more Marvel movies, Shang-Chi will definitely give you something to celebrate.

Anthony's Rating:

For more information about Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, visit the Internet Movie Database.