Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: Movie Review

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It’s the start of every superhero story, a guy living a normal life when his dark past comes back and he must reveal his real life to the ones he loves. That’s what happens in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Shaun is hiding who his father is from everyone after running away as a teen. But his when his father comes looking for him, and puts the people he cares about in danger, he must face who he really is…and his father.

Marvel took a chance on Shang-Chi because it’s one of the lesser-known characters in the Marvel universe. If you were to ask a casual fan they wouldn’t be able to tell you anything about him. But the risk paid off in big ways. Shang-Chi is one of the highest grossing Marvel movies and had one of the best openings for a character film.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a stunning movie with some of the best visuals from a Marvel/Disney film. You really feel immersed in the film especially when they travel to the magical land of Ta Lo. The story was captivating, and the acting was perfect. It’s one of the best martial arts films to come out in the last decade but it just happens to fit into a bigger story.

Shaun, played by Simu Liu, is just your average guy except his day is the head of the terrorist group The Ten Rings. When his father asks him to take out a man Shaun runs away to America at 15. He spends the rest of his life living what would be considered normal and mundane. But when he and his friend Katie are attacked in public, he realizes he can no longer escape his past.

Legendary Hong Kong actor Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, who plays Shaun’s father, didn’t research the character or anything before taking the role. Plus, this is his first role in an American film and his first English speaking role. It’s also the first time he played a villain. Leung plays the role perfectly and while he is seen as a loving father, he is also hard. He wanted to play the character with depth and he did just that.

For Simu Liu it’s a dream come true to play the superhero. In 2018 he tweeted Marvel asking to play Shang-Chi. It’s also his first time in a lead role in a film. You couldn’t tell, he was perfect as Shang-Chi.

While there are lots of references to other Marvel movies, including Iron Man and Infinity War, you don’t have to be a fan of the MCU to watch this movie. It’s the perfect origin story and stand alone film. The action is packed and leaves you excited to see how Marvel will use the characters in the future. Just make sure you stay to the very very end, there is a mid-credit and post-credit scene.

Listen to our podcast episode about this movie here!