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

 

Hi Film Geeks

Took my daughter (who's a huge Marvel nerd), to see the newest film in their huge franchise. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

As a Marvel comics fan as a child I never came across this character, who's 2nd tier maybe 3rd tier compared to the bigger Marvel icons like Spiderman, Hulk, Fantastic Four etc.  He was Marvel's answer to Bruce Lee in the seventies, and so even I was new to the character.

The film starts in the past when ten mysterious rings are found by Shang-Chi's father - the Mandarin - who doesn't age because of the Rings he wears and gives him magic powers.  His greed for world domination takes over as he wants to be the most powerful person on Earth.

This leads him to searching a powerful mystical land which he finds but is guarded by a magical woman who beats him in a fight. They fall in love and he starts to live a normal life when they have Shang-chi and his sister.  Sadly his wife is killed by people he has wronged and he takes up his Rings again and starts building his army up. In the meantime he trains his young son to fight and be an assassin.

Fast forward to the present and Shang-chi is living a normal life in the USofA with his friend Katy when his father sends his men to bring him home.

Overall - even though Shang-chi isn't a well known character I enjoyed the story, even though it seemed familiar. The action and stunts are great and were worked on by Jackie Chan's stunt team, so the fights look realistic and good. Towards the end there is a bit too much going on but still watchable and it's different to most MCU films as it delves into the magical.  There is even a dragon in the film.

The actors (even though I'd not heard of many) gave good performances and looked to be enjoying what they were doing. Simu Liu was great as the title character,  as was Tony Leung as his father, the Mandarin. 

Ben Kingsley brought some comedy to the film, returning as Trevor Slattery. Last seen in Iron Man 3. His character even more hilarious.

I would highly recommend this film as it took the MCU into different territory, and I hope there is a sequel in the works.  The special effects were very good and the film was miles better than Black Widow.

Bels Score   -   10/10

My Score     -  9/10