Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Review

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What is Shang-Chi about?

Shaun/ Shang-Chi escaped from his father and the Ten Rings at the age of 15, and has been trying to hide and lay low ever since. While it seems like a go nowhere job, he and Katy enjoy working as valets. Their families may have higher expectations, but they are perfectly content to live their lives one day at a time, especially after Shaun’s upbringing, none of which Katy is aware of.

This all changes drastically when they are attacked by the Ten Rings on the bus on the way home one day. After explaining who he truly is, Shang-Chi realizes there is only one thing he can do. Find his sister and try to protect her from the same people that attacked him.

Who’s in Shang-Chi?

Shaun, is a man who ran away from his father at age 15 and has been living in San Francisco. He currently works as a valet with his friend Katy but he has a secret. Shaun was trained from a young age to fight and has the skills of an assassin because his dad runs a centuries-old criminal organisation. Shaun is trying to hide from his past and his father’s evil ways but he is forced to show his true self to protect his friend.

Katy is Shaun’s best friend who doesn’t know about his interesting past and has been friends with him since he came to America. Katy is talented but she is scared and doesn’t use her potential for anything worthwhile. She is a loyal friend who sticks by Shang-Chi through thick and thin. Xu Xialing is Shang-Chi’s sister, who he left behind when he ran away from home. She trained herself to become a trained fighter and has a hardened personality due to her brother leaving her. 

Shang-Chi Review

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is now my favourite Marvel movie of all time. For those of you who know about our YouTube channel, we have a video about the three phases of the MCU. In that video, I liked most of the Spiderman movies, however, Shang-Chi just beat those movies out. This is now my second 10 after Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train.

Now, why is Shang-Chi my favourite Marvel movie? Well, there’s a lot to it. For one, I really enjoyed seeing a different side to the MCU. Having a more Asian centered film felt new and unique after all the other Marvel movies we’ve seen. This new perspective feels fresh, yet it still has that Marvel feel like all the other films. I also appreciate that the actors played roles that were suited to them. I enjoyed hearing the mandarin sprinkled in which completes the whole experience.

Besides being that point, Shang-Chi also has some of my favourite fight choreography from the entire series. With a focus on martial arts, each fight had a certain amount of grace, and with different styles of martial arts shown, each fight was unique and awesome. The added aspect of the Rings added to some of the fights and gave it another level of depth as well. Besides the fight choreography, the characters were still fun to watch and enjoy. I loved Shang-Chi as a lead and Katy had the perfect amount of seriousness and comic relief.

Finally, I enjoyed the plot of the movie. Family has always been an important aspect in life, and the way Shang-Chi used family to create characters and build relationships was well done. The action was intense and there weren’t too many moments where I was bored.

Overall, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was one of my all-time favourite Marvel movies. From the stunning visuals, to intense fight scenes, to fun characters, this movie has it all for anyone to enjoy.