Marvel's Shang-Chi: A Spoiler-Free Review
After some delays, Marvel fans are finally able to see Shang-Chi come to life on the big screen. On September 3rd, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings debuted across the country. I was able to see the film with my best friends on the night of September 2nd, and we all went home with a new favorite superhero.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was a satisfying push into the Phase 4 narrative of the MCU. Although an origin story first, it is a building block into the next installment of the franchise. The story and the characters are all very culturally focused and they never stray in order to appropriate the genre. Everything was done with intension. Although this story is new, it's no secret that it ties into Iron Man 3 and the rest of the saga. It was great to see all those connections make their way back to the MCU, and make them important again. What once may have been a throw away line, or a meaningless plot point, has a whole new purpose. That is something that Marvel Studios has always done so well.
Shang-Chi as a character is so complex and deep. His past is dark, but his future is bright. Simu Liu does an amazing job portraying the character. He's the perfect fit - not only because of his physical abilities but because of his heart. You can tell that this character and story mean so much to him through his performance. The entire cast is extremely talented and they fit so well into their characters, which makes the story shine. The stunts, the fight choreography, and the sets were absolutely to die for. This film also includes some of the best CGI work that Marvel Studios has ever done. It was so beautiful that is was hard to tell which parts were real and which parts weren't. The costuming for the film was also pretty cool. Shang-Chi and Xialing's "battle armor" was so gorgeous and practical I almost want a set for myself.
Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings has rave reviews so far, and they are very well deserved. This film is unlike any other MCU product we have seen so far. It's visually stunning, entertaining, and has the perfect bit of humor that every Marvel film does. It's an absolute beast of a superhero film. If you haven't already, go out (safely) and purchase tickets for this film. You will NOT be disappointed.
Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings is only in theaters, NOW.
