A stunning debut for Marvel Studios’ first major Asian superhero in the MCU.
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There may have been over 20 films and counting in the Marvel Cinematic Universe but believe me when I say there is none like this.
Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings champions its titular hero in a stunning debut for the studio’s first major Asian superhero in the MCU.
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton based on a screenplay he wrote with Dave Callahan and Andrew Lanham, the film stars Kim’s Convenience’s Simu Liu, Hong Kong legend Tony Leung, actress-comedian Awkwafina, with Meng’er Zhang, Fala Chen, Michelle Yeoh and Benedict Wong in supporting roles.
The film is chockfull of intricately choreographed martial arts fights, it’s got humour, heart, an unassuming hero, and a complex villain – basically everything you could hope for in an all-rounded superhero film.
This may not necessarily be the best MCU film ever made, but it definitely hands down has better fight sequences than most films in their roster combined and arguably one of its better villains to ever grace the silver screen.
Leung’s portrayal of Wenwu is a solid example of a master at work. He graces the screen almost as much as Liu’s Shang-Chi does, putting the ‘legend’ in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
While it may be hard to compete with a legend on screen, Liu – who may have manifested his way to the lead role – has proven to be worthy in holding his own opposite Asian cinema powerhouses like Leung and Michelle Yeoh. His background in martial arts such as Taekwondo and Wing Chun, as well as gymnastics surely paid off.
An origin story likened to Marvel Studios’ successful Black Panther (2018), Shang-Chi also champions its female characters, echoing the popular old phrase, “Behind every successful man, there is a strong woman.” The film may have Liu's character's name in its title but it's really the women in Shang-Chi's life that he owes his all to - namely his best friend Katy (an always entertaining Awkwafina), sister Xialing (Lucy Liu 2.0 aka Meng'er Zhang), mother (Fala Chen) and aunt (Michelle Yeoh).
If this film is any indication of what the studio has in store for the franchise, the future is bright.
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