One of the many reasons why the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has worked so well for the last 13 years is they have successfully cross-bred their superheroes with other genres of film. IRON MAN (2008) was a techno-thriller, THOR (2011) was high fantasy, and CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER (2011) was a war film. For their 25th feature film, SHANG-CHI: THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS, the MCU ventures into new territory; kung-fu.
Years after leaving his life as an assassin, Shang-Chi (Simu Lu), settles into a regular life; parking cars with his friend Katy (Awkwafina), when he is pulled back into his old organization The Ten Rings, which is led by his father Xu Wenwu (Tony Leung)…who wields the power of the mystical weapons, the ten rings.
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and based the Marvel comics character which made its debut in 1973, SHANG-CHI sets itself up as a standard journey of rediscovery. Shang-Chi and Katy are drawn to China, where they find his sister Xu Xialing (Meng’er Zhang), and eventually back to their father who is looking to open a mystical portal.
Although SHANG-CHI is saturated very well in Chinese mythology and fantasy, the plot uses the family dynamics to drive things. Xu Wenwu isn’t a villain who wants to destroy or rule the world, but instead believes he has found a way to bring back his dead wife. He’s a villain in perpetual mourning, and he needs items that his children possess to make the miracle happen. This really works in raising the stakes and amplifying characters.
While director Destin Daniel Cretton is weaving a family drama, he is also lensing a gorgeous looking film. Although mostly artificial, the landscapes and Chinese cities are breathtaking. The fight scenes are a blast and very well executed, with some of the sequences done in impressive long takes.
Acting is excellent. Simu Lu has all the charisma and physicality of a true leading man. Awkwafina is the comedy relief and nearly steals the show. Tony Leung is tremendous, and be on the lookout for some cameos and extended cameos from some Marvel Universe alum.
SHANG-CHI has a lot of mythology and backstory to get into, most of which comes in well-timed flashbacks or long information dumps. It grinds a little, but it’s no dealbreaker as the film is always moving forward. Once the finale rolls around we are invested, because at that point we are invested in this family. This is another Marvel success story.
BOTTOM LINE: See it
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