Everyone, sorry that I’m posting this almost a couple weeks after seeing this movie. Still, today, we are going to review the latest Marvel movie. Not only that, but it is the first Marvel and Disney film to play exclusively in theaters for the first time in a long while, as opposed to theaters, and Disney+ with Premiere Access. So how about that? Maybe that’ll teach people to go back to theaters, and give them their business more, eh? Anyway, the one, and only, Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings.
Plot: A fourteen-year-old named Shaun (Simu Liu) is sent to San Francisco after using ten powerful magic rings to take down some powerful rings, and becoming demoralized from other battles. Years later, while working as a valet driver, he, and his friend, Katy (Awkwafina) are thrust into action after certain events cause them to make the decision for him, and Katy to find Shaun’s family, he resumes the name Shang-Chi. Now, Shang-Chi’s father, Wenwu (Tony Leung) asks Shang-Chi, Katy, Shang-Chi’s sister, Xialing (Meng’er Zhang), and some others to go to a world, where Wenwu believes his deceased wife, Ying Li (Fala Chen) is calling them all to, and defeat an evil darkness that presides there. Will they be able to do so in the end?
Okay, first off, one should be glad that this film is playing exclusively in theaters, given current circumstances with the ongoing COVID deal, and things like that. Why? Well, this film is one of those movies that is clearly made to see on the big screen. Yes, if you find yourself enjoying this movie in theaters enough to buy, or even rent in order to watch again on video when it’s released on video, then please do that too. All I’m saying is that this is one of those movies that needs to first be watched in theaters.
Second, the characters are really well done. First, let’s mention some comedic characters, namely Katy, who’s played by Awkwafina. Okay, Awkwafina brings out some very good, and funny lines in films that she’s played in, be it Raya & The Last Dragon, likely Crazy Rich Asians, and films like those. Well, Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings is no exception. Would one most likely put her up there with certain other comedic celebrities? Probably not? Still, Awkwafina is entertaining even when it comes to a film like this one. Anyway, not only is it fun to have the funny characters in this film, but the characters are very well developed overall. I mean when it comes to these characters, sure, there are those who do right, and those who commit wrong actions. Still, it’s interesting how, in spite of that, this film doesn’t seem to be officially divided into the categories of good guys, and bad guys. Rather than having black, and white shaded characters, what we have here are characters with shades of gray. That is in terms of having complex characters who end up doing the right things for the wrong reasons, or vice versa.
Next, there is of course the action. Okay, I’m surprised by how well this action is choreographed when it comes to certain action scenes throughout the course of this film. First off, how many of you saw a martial arts film, from 2001, by the name of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon? Well, for those if you who saw the film back then, and remember how creative the action in that film was, then let me just tell you that if you were impressed by the way people moved during certain action scenes in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, then I can guarantee that you’ll also be amazed by the action scenes here in Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings.
Additionally, there’s the story. Like many of the other Marvel movies, the story is also one of the major points of this film. Now whether the fact that Disney helping out with this film seemed to help out with that, or not, at least people are bound to like the well-developed story as well. I mean from the origin of the ten rings, to how certain characters came to be who they were, and other aspects of the story, the film is very good at details of this film. However, the only downside to the story aspect is that it may drag a little bit at times, and there were certain mythical worlds that could have been a little more developed, and known about a little more than they were. Well, maybe those worlds will be developed slightly more of a sequel to this comes out, eh?
Finally, there is some really good symbolism in this film as well. That is especially when it comes to the whole deal about how, when we think we may be listening to the voice of God, or if we’re just listening to our own voices. That could be a good reminder when it comes to Christians dealing with situations like that. Okay, again, this is not a Christian film. Still, that whole deal can be a good reminder for Christians as they watch certain parts of this film about learning to evaluate themselves to see if we, or they, who are Christians, are doing what God wants us/them to do, or if any of those people might think that they’re doing God’s will, but discover later on that maybe they aren’t. It’s a good lesson to learn about again from time to time.
And that’s my review for Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings. While not quite the best of the best when it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it does come slightly close. There is plenty to like, or even live about this film, from the likable characters, to the comedy, as well as the symbolisms, and the lessons that could each be a good take away from this film. Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings is one of the best in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Definitely go see it if you haven’t! You’d be surprised by how good it is in nearly every aspect that I mentioned.
Final Grade: A
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