4 minute read
Film
SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS
In recent years, every time a new Marvel movie is headed to the screen, I run the same internal monologue through my head. It goes a little something like this: “Yet another Marvel movie. Do I really need to go see this? Is there something else to review this week? I’m so tired of these movies.”
But then I go and see said Marvel movie and without fail, I walk away totally energized, wondering why I ever doubted the experience would be great.
And this was yet again the case with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the 25th(!) film to come out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And not only was I wildly entertained, I was far from being entertained in the typical Marvel fashion.
Comparisons to the utterly masterful high watermark of the MCU, Black Panther, are bound to arise, but it’s worth noting that these comparisons are not only rooted in the representation gains that come from Marvel’s first headlining hero of Asian heritage (which is in and of itself something to celebrate!) but also in how the filmmaking feels so fresh and enthralling, and the storytelling is so rich and revealing.
Shang-Chi is a standalone epic that aspires to be more than just another film in Marvel’s master plan of what comes after “The Infinity Saga.” It is rollicking fun, and it gives us compelling drama built upon a tragic romance and a painful family history.
Things start with Shaun, an aimless valet at a swanky San Francisco hotel. Shaun, played by newcomer Simu Liu, is a total charmer. (Granted, Liu is a Canadian; affability and sweetness is practically built in.) Shaun works with his bestie Katy (Awkwafina), and when they’re not parking cars, you’ll likely find them singing karaoke, coming home late, and avoiding their potential.
But then one day while riding on the city bus, a team of hitmen comes for the pendant Shaun’s mother gave him, and he shows off talents that go way beyond parallel parking in a virtuoso sequence that is like a supercharged scene out of Speed. Turns out, Shaun is actually ShangChi and, as he reveals to Katy, he came to San Francisco a decade ago, fleeing his father after a childhood spent training to become an assassin.
Through flashbacks, we learn more about his estranged father, Wenwu, a warlord who became immortal after coming into possession of the powerful 10 rings and has spent the better part of the past 1,000 years behind just about every major conflict. That is until he met Shang-Chi’s mother, fell in love, and decided he could settle down — until the blissful domestic life of these two star-crossed lovers took a very dark turn.
But now, years later, as Wenwu has come to grips with his grief, he wants to get his family back together, reuniting with his son and daughter, Xialing (Meng’er Zhang), who runs a fight club empire in Maccau. Wenwu also believes he can bring back their dead mother, while others (including Shang-Chi and Xialing) think doing so might just unleash a monster that will destroy humanity.
There is a great deal of backstory and setup, which also involve the mother’s roots in the mythical village of Ta Lo, but it is rewarding. Director Destin Daniel Cretton comes from the world of indie drama (Short Term 12, Just Mercy), and it shows here, both in the way he establishes the lore and how he grounds the film in meaningful relationships between characters.
Wenwu, the film’s “villain,” is also one of the more complicated and gripping to grace a Marvel film. He’s not only an evil warlord but also a father, husband, and man who loved deeply. And with legend-of-Hong-Kongcinema Tony Leung, the ultimate pining and passionate lover (see In the Mood for Love), in the role, he elevates Wenwu’s character to near art — he’s just that good.
While Leung brings the gravitas, all of the cast members have something special to offer. Awkwafina is a fantastic audience surrogate with impeccable comedic timing. She is such a treat to watch. With her bright green pants, fanny pack, and steely determination, Zhang makes a very good case for her own spin-off (#sistersofthemcu).
Just like Black Widow benefited from being more of an espionage thriller than a superhero flick, so Shang-Chi benefits from being a martial arts film. There’s an incredible combat sequence on the scaffolding of a skyscraper that dazzles. And action meets elegance in a poetic sequence that has Wenwu wooing his wife while also waging battle with her.
The influence of the martial arts and the stunning fight choreography keeps things interesting — so much so that I didn’t find myself frequently zoning out like I tend to do during some of the more bloated Marvel set pieces.
Shang-Chi also avoids the bloat of established MCU characters making fan-service cameos. Everything here is fairly organic to the story. And the one big “cameo” by a character from the MCU past — one I don’t think anyone would have ever thought we’d see again — is so unexpected and fun, it is a glorious reappearance.
Maybe this is the film from which I will learn my lesson and not let myself so doubt and prejudge what Marvel has in store for me — especially if they keep on this path of bringing new, dynamic, and fun stories to the screen.
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Meg Weichman is a film archivist, film programmer, and serious film person. Find her on Letterboxd (@ckdexterhaven3) rewatching Armageddon and trying to convince people that Temple of Doom is the best Indiana Jones movie.
