MARVEL: Shang-Chi and the legends of the ten rings (review)

Director Dustin Cretton Daniel shuffles these grand elements inside the MCU’s newest instalment and is visually appealing and emotionally satisfying enough to surpass the unfinished plot.

Simu Liu makes his MCU debut as Shang-Chi, who must confront his sinister past, take responsibility and oppose his intimidating father(Tony Leung). Born and raised to be an assassin and the inheritor of the legendary ten rings, Shang chi moves to New York in hopes to outrun his destiny while navigating the uncertain sea of adulthood with his best friend Katy(Awkwafina). Additionally, he struggles to garner the confidence needed to step into his own identity outside of what his Asian parents and Americans recognize him as.

‘Shang-Chi and the legends of the ten rings’ exhibit jaw-dropping combat scenes. The fights are shot in a mode that keeps the audience taking in every movement so that you don't miss a thing. Moreover, some of The martial arts techniques are further complemented by mystic elements, such that it enriches the characters and the entire plot justifying it as a fantasy genre. We witness Shang chi learns his mother's fighting style to unlock the dragon’s heart within himself and defeat his father (Wenwu), the antagonist of this family-centered action-fantasy flick.

Shang-Chi and the legends of the ten rings (review) Pulse Nigeria

(Wenwu)Tony Leung threads upon the path of sensitive antagonists that inevitably catch your empathy. His misguided actions to reunite his family pits him against his children. His unending grief drives him to desperate measures as he searches for purpose and closure, eventually leading to his tear-jerking death. But, just before he transfers the legendary ten rings to his son, so he can be the hero he is destined to be in future projects.

Suppose there was any confusion about when Shang chi's events occurred after the avengers' endgame. And probably around the time ‘the falcon and the winter and winter soldier, WandaVision is happening. This theory is further confirmed by Katy’s statement in the opening bar scenes; “We are living in a time where half of the world's population could literally disappear”.

Despite the hidden Easter eggs scattered throughout the 2 hours run time, the cameos of Wong, Bruce Barner, and Captain Marvel referencing Shang Chi’s link to the vast MCU, Shang Chi legends of the ten rings’ is solid enough to stand on its own. However, the unexplained lore of the ten rings and Talos magic hints at the certainty of Shang Chi’s relevance in Marvel phase four.

In the post-credits, Wong says to Shang chi and Katy, “There's a long trajectory for you, and it's nothing like you’ve ever experienced before”, but in reality, that statement serves as an exposition to marvel fans. Promising the MCU will be more epic than we’ve experienced so far.

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Israel Olorunnisola is a freelance creative. When he is not writing about Film, Music, TV or Pop culture he is telling stories on Wattpad.

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