Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton
Starring: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Fala Chen, Meng’er Zhang & Florian Munteanu
Action films in general owe a bit of gratitude to Hong Kong Cinema. Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings comes surprisingly as that very letter. The latest “origin” film from Marvel Studios, this film introduces both the titular Shang Chi (pronounced “shawn-g chee”) and the long-teased Ten Rings. As the newest member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Shang Chi has a lot to offer. He is the first Asian superhero (aside from the lovable Wong who makes a crossover cameo) to hit this cinematic universe and the film is fittingly unique. Way back, 15 years ago with Phase 1, Marvel was able to crank out fun, engaging and unique introduction films for their first team of Avengers. Over time, the movies have gotten larger and therefore struggled to maintain different tones, looks, and themes and still have crossovers. Shang Chi marks a long awaited return to that original style. In terms of an origin story, this film immediately rises to the top from sheer style alone. While it still has the general sheen of a Marvel film, it boasts a very “Hong Kong Cinema” eye for action and cinematography with a heavy influence of Wuxia (or Chinese action-fantasy) films.
The character of Shang Chi is also very likable. From his introduction, it’s clear Shang is a hard working, if not lazy young man who’s struggling with identity. His struggle is a very poignant one today and the way he handles his internal struggles is exactly the type of “super” message that is perfect for the target younger audience of these films. To be honest, as a 27 year old navigating my own way, I felt a lot of connections with Shang and it made me like him even more as the film went on. This same praise can also be leveled equally at Awkwafina who struggles with the pressures of her family’s expectation. The villain, played by Tony Leung, who is the true face of the legendary Ten Rings (first introduced conceptually in Iron Man 3) has a great arc and sympathetic motivations that make him less of a villain for Shang Chi and more of a cautionary tale.
The action was some of the best Marvel has put out. Up until now many of the best Marvel action scenes are more in line with films like The Bourne Identity or Mission Impossible. Specifically with Captain America, hand to hand combat has been on the level of “fine” but never much better than 2014’s The Winter Soldier. Finally, Marvel looks back beyond those 2000’s films to Hong Kong action movies of the 80’s and 90’s with much more focus on choreography and clarity of action. Simu Liu performs more like Jackie Chan or Jet Li than any mainstream superhero has yet. And it fits PERFECTLY. The focus on more traditional martial arts moves is still dynamic and blended with more modern action trends in a really likable and eye-catching way.
Another eye-catching point in Shang Chi is the use of cgi backgrounds, and not always for the better. For the latter half of the film, the plot takes our lovable band to a mystical dimension called Ta Lo, where much of the environment is filled in with cgi. This is far from the first time Marvel has had to do this to bring these comics to life, but that makes it all the more disappointing when it looks as bad as it does. The visuals are sorely lacking in most areas aside from action scenes, suffering from the sterility of modern Marvel flicks and also taking no risks or unpredictable angles or points of view.
While the standstill parts of the film are a little boring to look at, Shang Chi still manages to rise a successful and clearly passionate work which is one of the best standalone, origin films yet from the titanic company; it’s a great superhero movie, a love letter to Hong Kong cinema and Wuxia style action, and a very positive look toward the future of the franchise at large.
