Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has an awful lot resting on its shoulders. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe has typically churned out films at a rate of knots, their twenty-fifth feature marks the first playing with theatrical exclusivity in almost two years, and essentially opening Phase Four on a film level after Black Widow operated more like a prologue for the new chapter. Will Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings return to business as usual for the biggest cinematic universe that has ever existed?
When Shang-Chi is suddenly attacked, he is forced to confront the family he has been running from, specifically his father - leader of the Ten Rings, a terrorist organisation intent on conquering kingdoms and toppling governments. Alongside the Ta Lo village from which his mother came, they must fight to protect the Dark Gate from the Ten Rings. Starring Simu Liu as the titular hero, alongside Awkwafina, Meng'er Zhang, Fala Chen, Florian Munteanu, Michelle Yeoh, Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Ben Kingsley, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton.
Destin Daniel Cretton tackles his first major tentpole flick following a career of smaller, independent adult-skewing dramas and does so with mixed results. With the character moments, Cretton thrives, delivering by endearing us to a batch of characters we will be happy to spend the next ten-year-plus Marvel cycle with. But the film finds difficulty developing a rhythm in the first act, an issue exacerbated by some poorly staged action that comes across as frantic and unconfident, the evidence of a director perhaps overwhelmed by the scale and scope of the spectacle. Eventually, particularly throughout the middle act which stands out mostly because it feels so unique to this blockbuster, those issues are ironed out and even as we descend into the CGI-driven genre theatrics of the third act battle, you can already see Cretton's control of the visual work become much cleaner and clearer.
The screenplay from Cretton, David Callaham and Andrew Lanham, unfortunately, struggles to escape the trappings of an origin story, offering up a rather generically plotted and therefore predictable narrative arc. While this is then textured by some thoughtful character development and dynamics, the thematic substance is not so much lacking as it is ground the MCU has explored frequently in past films: family is embedded in the very core of the Avengers and it feels somewhat been-there, done-that, particularly so close to Black Widow, which thrived in its more intimate exploration anchored by a pre-established character. In Shang Chi's favour though, it does a wonderful job of celebrating culture and tradition, with its martial arts work particularly refreshing to the superhero genre.
It's a strong ensemble supporting Shang-Chi through its weaker patches, led efficiently by Simu Liu, who demonstrates impressive leading man credentials with a charismatic turn that balances the action requirements and the emotional beats of the film. Particularly when sharing the screen with Awkwafina, who frequently steals the film with many laugh, their double act and friendship is a refreshing addition to the film, taking a break from the usual romantic element Marvel tends to lean into unnecessarily. Michelle Yeoh is a terrific presence, and Tony Leung Chiu-wai's work is nuanced and layered, while Ben Kinglsey's (surprise, at least to me!) involvement falls on the right side of charming. It's the definition of a true ensemble, with finely-tuned work across the board.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a relatively enjoyable film but falls victim to its status as an origins film; it is required to go through the motions of building and introducing in a way that massively limits its potential. It also represents a director finding his feet in a blockbuster sandpit, although the quick recovery from a ropier first act into a far sturdier second half is proof enough that, should he be the one to continue this strand of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it should only improve upon the foundation of this opening chapter. Mostly indebted to the work of a strong ensemble, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings may not threaten the top-tier works of the MCU but is still an entertaining blockbuster flick.