(Photo courtesy of Marvel)
It’s been a while since Marvel fans have been able to experience the origin story of an entirely new hero, and that has changed with the release of “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.” This spoiler-free review will tell you all you need to know before watching it for yourself.
The first thing that can be said about “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” is that the movie is visually stunning. Everything from the set to the CGI are beautifully done, especially paired with some of its musical scores. It pulls the audience in so much that even the more fantastical elements seem believable. The film’s editing is even well done, using parallels and flashbacks from Shang-Chi’s past that line up perfectly to the current story being told.
Besides creating a movie that’s easy on the eyes, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: has some of the best choreography in a long time. In a cinematic universe that’s constantly putting a spotlight on the battle of good versus evil, fight scenes are inevitable. It can be difficult to continue raising the bar when it comes to good fight choreography, and can often be predictable and overused. This is not a problem with this movie. They waste next to no time throwing the audience into a fight where Shang-Chi himself shows just how powerful he is. There’s no need for training or build-up, no need to show a stereotypical scene where the lead is still trying to figure out his strength and what to do with it. Slow-motion and camera angle changes are not overdone like many movies that heavily rely on fight sequences. The film manages to find a perfect balance, which is a bit ironic seeing as Shang-Chi learns that in order to become more powerful, he too must find balance within himself.
One of the best things that can be said about the film is that you don’t need to be a huge Marvel fan to enjoy it. It barely feels like a Marvel movie, which would be a huge insult if said about past Marvel films, but is one of the most endearing qualities of this one. Despite cameos of previously established characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this film holds its own as a great movie about martial arts. It doesn’t need the gimmick of playing off of bigger characters or events that are going on with other Marvel movies or shows. For people that are getting a bit burned out on super hero films, it’s a breath of fresh air. The viewer won’t feel like they need an encyclopedia of Marvel characters or Marvel facts to feel like they know what’s going on.
With that being said, viewers may find more enjoyment and humor in the movie after a quick rewatch of Ironman 3. A character from it makes a return, and while they do explain who he is for those who have forgotten, some of the comments he makes are a lot funnier if you remember who he is and what his purpose was right off the bat. His character also brings a lot of comedic relief to the movie, only matched by Shang-Chi’s best friend Katy, who is not only hilarious but relatable throughout much of the movie.
“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” is a fun watch and a nice change of pace from the typical Marvel installment that constantly needs to reference back to past events that have happened in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Origin stories can often feel slow-paced and forced because of the need to provide so much backstory in such a short period of time, but this movie manages to nail its backstory pacing while still setting up for Shang-Chi’s future in the rest of the Marvel franchise. Don’t forget to stick around and watch both after credit scenes!
Written by Ashley Laney
Hi, I’m Lynn, and I Make.
Props, Cosplay, Scale Models, Home Projects, and just about anything else that involves me Making.
Evan Conroy
Layne Primal
Ron Peterson
Join our Patreon family