Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

by Hans A. Carpenter
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Release Date: September 3
Starring; Simu Liu,
Awkwafina,
and Meng’er Zhang
Mister Marquee Says:
Everybody was Kung fu fighting
Number: 4.5/5
Shang (Simu Lu) and his friend Katy (Awkwafina) are attacked by muscle working for Shang’s estranged father, the leader of the Ten Rings group appropriated by the fake terrorist The Mandarin in Iron Man 3. Shang’s father is trying to find a way into the mythical inter dimensional village Shang’s mother called home. It’s now up to Shang to face his past.
Marvel strikes again with a really fun, heartfelt, and exciting movie about a “D” list comic character. Shang Chi is an exotic fairytale wrapped up in a martial arts epic. The bar for entry in this origin story is very low; you don’t have to watch any of the previous 24 MCU movies or any of the three Disney-plus shows to enjoy and understand Shang Chi.
Liu and Awkwafina have a really refreshing kind of chemistry. Shang and Katy are officially close plutonic best friends but there is a very subtle romantic current underneath. It’s a fun dynamic with two actors who play well off one another.
The leader of the Ten Rings Xu Wenwu (Tony Leung) is instantly in the upper tier of Marvel villains. He’s not overtly evil, has good motivations for his actions, and Leung brings a regal poise to a man who has lived for centuries. His powers are pretty cool on the big screen, too.
Shang Chi drags a little bit in the middle, and the final fight was a tad silly. Even with those minor worts, this is still a very enjoyable movie and a worthy addition to the MCU.