Shaun (Simu Liu) and Katy (Awkwafina) are close friends working together in San Francisco. Their lives take an unexpected turn when they are attacked on a bus, revealing Shaun’s hidden identity. He is, in fact, the son of Xu Wenwu (Tommy Leung), the formidable leader of the notorious organization, The Ten Rings. This incident precipitates a family reunion with potentially lethal ramifications.
Similar to my experience with Guardians of the Galaxy, I wasn’t familiar with Shang-Chi prior to the film’s release. The character originated in comic books during the 1970s, a period when martial arts, particularly Kung-Fu and Karate, enjoyed immense popularity. In Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the character has been reimagined, and the filmmakers have taken some creative liberties with the backstory. The result, in my assessment, is one of the strongest entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings delivers engaging entertainment through innovative action sequences, visually stunning cinematography, and immersive environments. Simu Liu delivers a compelling performance in his first major leading role. He embodies charm and charisma, making both himself and his character instantly likeable. Awkwafina (Jumanji – The Next Level, Crazy Rich Asians) once again portrays a humorously entertaining character while maintaining a sense of realism. The filmmakers’ decision to depict a platonic relationship between the leads is effective, with their on-screen chemistry convincingly portraying a quirky friendship.
Acclaimed actor Tommy Leung portrays Xu Wenwu, a character known by many aliases, including The Mandarin. This time we have the true villain, in contrast to the hired actor from Iron Man 3. Here, the MCU filmmakers showcase their ingenuity. While some fans expressed displeasure with the handling of the character in Iron Man 3, I appreciated the twist involving Slattery (Ben Kingsley), an actor hired to portray a fictional persona. The short film Hail to the King (available on Disney+), released in 2014, explores Slattery’s fate after being imprisoned. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings further develops this narrative thread. This aspect of the plot is exceptionally well-executed. Leung demonstrates his acting prowess, evoking empathy for a character despite his past transgressions. One of the film’s strengths is its ability to resonate emotionally with the audience, revealing a subtle and poignant underlying story.
The Blu-ray edition delivers excellent visual quality, characterized by deep blacks and vibrant colors. The DTS 7.1 Master Audio soundtrack is well-mixed and effective, featuring numerous surround effects, although the overall sound level is somewhat subdued, requiring a volume increase to achieve optimal listening levels. The included bonus features consist of several concise yet informative documentaries, an engaging commentary track, and approximately 15 minutes of deleted scenes.
I also evaluated Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings on Disney+, which offers an IMAX viewing mode. In my opinion, the concept of IMAX on a television screen is largely ineffective. The IMAX format typically employs a 4:3 aspect ratio, resulting in a significantly reduced image size on a TV, despite potentially displaying more image information vertically. In Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the aspect ratio transitions from 2.35:1 (widescreen with black bars) to approximately 16:9, filling the entire screen (1.9:1 is also an IMAX format). Given that the film was originally shot in a narrow format designed for larger cinema screens, the IMAX enhancement doesn’t translate as effectively to a television. Ultimately, it feels more like a superficial feature. Furthermore, the image on Disney+ appears somewhat desaturated, likely due to a lower bit-rate.
In conclusion, I found Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings to be a highly enjoyable film. It distinguishes itself from other Marvel movies with a unique tone and atmosphere while remaining firmly embedded within the MCU. The appearance of several characters from previous films prevents it from feeling as isolated as, for instance, Black Widow. I recommend watching the entire end credits, as they offer a worthwhile payoff. While Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is entertaining and well-made, it unfortunately suffers from certain conventional shortcomings, particularly towards the conclusion, and a slightly shorter runtime could have elevated it to a must-see film.
