Review: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Marvel returns with it’s latest character to join the MCU for the further adventures of the Avengers at a later date with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The Master of Kung Fu who originally appeared in his first coming back in December 1973, is one of possibly the lesser popular heroes, but as with Guardians of the Galaxy, sometimes the ones you don’t know so much about, come with less anticipation but hit the screen with a huge impact.

Shang-Chi must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization.

So after the many false starts of Black Widow due to the pandemic, the next phase of the MCU kicks in to high gear with the visual wonder that is Shang-Chi. Starring Simu Liu as the titular character the film is Disney’s first full on venture into the world of wuxia (after the solid but not quite adequate Mulan live action). The story is pretty much generic introduction Marvel fare, but with better character development and outstanding cinematography from Bill Pope.

However, there are some similarities in style and story to the recently released Snake Eyes. The martial arts action is on a par, but the bus sequence is somewhat of a standout. It manages to outdo Nobody from earlier this year for full on bus battle stakes. but much outside of that, the fights tend to be derailed with the huge amounts of CGi that shroud the finale.

Fans of Shang-Chi should be more than satisfied with the results here, there’s plenty to like, some serious action some decent laughs and Disney/Marvel even manage to round off the Mandarin debacle from Iron Man 3 in a satisfactory manner with more scene stealing from Sir Ben Kinglsey.

Certainly is standard enjoyable Marvel fare, but it’s not going to break the top of the ladder for MCU output. Yes there are mid and end credit sequences that are worth sticking around for. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is solid enough to keep the most ravenous of Marvel fans happy until The Eternals debuts later this year.