FilmSnobReviews

Title: Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Starring: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Chiu-Wai Leung
Runtime: 2 hrs 12 mins

What It Is: Shaun (Liu) is your typical everyday car valet. He comes home, hangs out with his best bud Katy (Awkwafina) and has a decent existence. But Shaun wasn’t always Shaun. You see his father Xu (Leung) is a super powerful man and his mother was an eternal guardian of a secret land. Simply put…he’s special. When his father seeks to extend his power and possibly destroy whatever enemies he has left. Can Shaun fulfill the destiny that was his birthright? Can he take down his father?

What We Think: This is so much better than Black Widow. It’s a fun time and Simu Liu was born to be a superhero. Awkwafina is her typical excellent self. She’s funny when the script needs her to be and reigns it in at the appropriate time. Desertion Daniel Cretton’s script and direction really elevate one and other. There’s a bit too much CGI ESPECIALLY in the final third. What we get out of that CGI is really helpful in making this entire experience one of Marvel’s most unique films and better of it’s origin stories. The fight choreography was stellar and that’s immensely important when your heroes main weapon is martial arts. I love the story elements that are exclusive to a story like this. Pulling from the futile history of China.

Our Grade: B+, This is the best Marvel has done in quite some time. Not only was all the action thrilling but it was funny without coming off as forced. Those forced jokes have plagued Marvel for quite a while now. They aren’t present here. The bus scene is a standout though the one from Nobody is in a similar vein. Hard to pick between the two.