‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ Review: NO SPOILERS

Wenwu (Tony Leung) and Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) in Marvel Studios' SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2021.

Marvel Studios’ “Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings” stars Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, who must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization. The film also stars Awkwafina as Shang-Chi’s friend Katy, with Michelle Yeoh as Ying Nan, and Tony Leung as Xu Wenwu, Shang-Chi’s father; as well as Meng’er Zhang, Fala Chen, Florian Munteanu, Benedict Wong, Yuen Wah, Ronny Chieng, Zach Cherry, and Dallas Liu.

Simu Liu portrayed Shang-Chi brilliantly. He will make viewers interested in the film from start to finish. His onscreen chemistry with Awkwafina was entertaining as well. Destin Daniel Cretton did a great job making sure Liu and Awkwafina played to their strengths in the film.

Meng’er Zhang really stole the show every time she appeared onscreen during the film. I do wish they would have leaned into her back story more. Her character is a great addition to other badass women in the MCU. Fans will enjoy her presence and will wish to see more of her throughout future MCU projects.

Xialing (Meng’er Zhang) in Marvel Studios’ SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS. Photo by Jasin Boland. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.

Tony Leung was an amazing cast choice for Xu Wenwu. His character will have you on an emotional roller coaster, you won’t know if you should be rooting for him or rooting against him but you will understand why he does the thing he does throughout the film.

(L-R): Wenwu (Tony Leung) and Ying Li (Fala Chen) in Marvel Studios’ SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.

Fala Chen and Michelle Yeoh were excellent in the film. When the film did flashbacks I was hoping they would have done one with their two characters training together when they were younger. Dave Callaham, Destin Daniel Cretton, and Andrew Lanham had a pretty good screenplay. I do believe they were missing at least two female writers in the room because of the lack of their female characters’ backstory which would have added to their great action sequences in the film.

At the end of the day, this was a good movie and a great addition to Marvel’s phase 4. Last thing I have to address is the people that are saying “you better support Shang chi like you supported Black Panther.” This is ignorant and will do a disservice to “Shang Chi.” People will automatically be turned off from the movie before it even releases. The movie is good so let it speak for itself. The best marketing tool for anything is word to mouth. So if you aren’t speaking about the film in a positive light then don’t speak about it at all. Again, ignorant statements like “you better support Shang chi like you supported Black Panther” will do this movie a disservice. When it’s actually a good film that everyone will enjoy.

“Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings” opens in theaters on September 3, 2021.

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