One Line Review: Shang-Chi is the new Marvel concept. Worth the hype and time.
Youtube Trailer Shang-Chi
Starring: Simu Liu, Awkwafina
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Release Date: 2 September 2021
Introduction
Raised as the son of the mighty Wenwu ( Tony Leung ), Shang-Chi ( Simu Liu ) grew up with his training as a fighter. An education that ends with his killing the leader of a rival band. Years later, he broke away from this life and, together with his good friend Katy ( Awkwafina ), earns money parking other people’s cars. But then one day his past catches up with him when they are attacked by Razor Fist ( Florian Munteanu ) on the bus . Although Shang-Chi succeeds in repelling the attackers, he discovers that his mother’s pendant was stolen. Fearing for his sister Xialing ( Meng’er Zhang), who is in the possession of the second trailer, Shang-Chi and Katy then travel to Macau to warn them …
Plot Summary
When in “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” a trained fighter is caught up with his past and fights alternately against his father and magical beings, then that is much better than one might have expected. A very good ensemble, gripping staged fights and a fairy tale atmosphere make the film one of the better debut stories from Marvel, even if many conventions had to be covered at the end.
Time for new heroes
The country needs new heroes! After Marvel sorted out some of the long-time residents with the grand finale, Avengers: Endgame, one way or another, it was time for some fresh faces. With Black Widow, the first film in phase four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this was of course only partially the case, even if Yelena Belova, one of the most entertaining female characters in the franchise, was introduced. But while it is supposed to be used primarily in the upcoming series Hawkeye, thanks to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the main cinematic cast is now being replenished. And there is a replenishment that definitely makes you want more parts.
On the one hand, it is gratifying that Marvel is continuing to work on increased diversity. With Shang-Chi, an Asian figure can take center stage for the first time, instead of having to settle for a place somewhere in the back of the table. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has the chance to become a similar area of identification as Black Panther was a few years ago for dark-skinned people. Especially since almost exclusively an Asian or Asian ensemble can be seen around it. This consists partly of newcomers and partly of veterans. Fans of Far Eastern cinema, for example, can look forward to Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Michelle Yeoh, two legends who have been given a bigger role.
A family drama in a magical guide
The cast is also important because the film, like few other parts of the successful series, deals with interpersonal and personal tragedy. In fact, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a family drama over long stretches that would also work apart from the action scenes and the magical trappings. The desperation of Wenwu, who cannot get over the death of his wife and his helplessness at the time, makes him one of the more interesting opponents in the Marvel universe. Since Spider-Man: Homecoming, the bad guy has not offered a comparable mix of threat and self-inflicted pain, instead of just wanting to let the world end again.
Had the hints of old marvel touch
However, director and co-writer Destin Daniel Cretton ( Just Mercy, glass castle ) did not do without the latter in order not to move too far from the Marvel formula. The same applies to humor, which is built in every now and then and which is an integral part of the series. However, the result is somewhat ambiguous. While the funny scenes are entertaining on their own, there are quite strong breaks in terms of mood. The big CGI spectacle at the end also feels more like a duty, so that the audience has the feeling that this was really important instead of trusting the actual story. Another problem: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings sometimes has pacing issues. If too much has to be accommodated at once, no one should be surprised that the story does not progress in parts and then has to be completed hastily in the end.
Conclusion
Overall, however, the positives clearly predominate. It is commendable, for example, that the action scenes – apart from the aforementioned computer excesses – are more physical and better choreographed than one is often used to at Marvel. The fights on the bus, for example, leave the heroes ‘and heroines’ many green screen appearances far behind. The fairytale touch when we are out and about in hidden villages and deal with legends that are thousands of years old is also good for the film.
