Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Starring: Simu Liu, Tony Leung, Awkwafina, Meng'er Zhang, Fala Chen, Michelle Yeoh, Florian Munteanu

Director: Destin Daniel Cretton

Based on the Marvel comics created by Steve Engelhart and Jim Starlin

Wenwu (Leung) has finally found the Ten Rings, mysterious objects that allow the wearer to have god-like powers. As the power the rings provide begin to corrupt him, Wenwu seeks out the city of Ta Lo, which is home to a mythical dragon with powers that Wenwu plans to harness for nefarious deeds. Instead, he finds Ying Li (Chen), who guards the city. They fall and love and have two children. Fast forward to present day, one of the kids, Shaun (Liu), is living a quiet existence as a valet in San Fransisco with his best friend Katy (Awkwafina). Shaun and Katy are attacked while riding the bus by members of The Ten Rings, who steal a pendant he is wearing around his neck, Shaun realizes that his father Wenwu (Leung) has discovered his whereabouts and that his past is back to haunt him. He and Katy head to Macau to find his sister Xialing (Zhang) and warn her of the impending danger and to protect her pendant. After finding themselves held captive by the Ten Rings, Shaun realizes how deep his father's corruption runs and that he must be stopped at all costs.

You have to give Marvel credit. They have a plan and stick to it. They also let talented and diverse storytellers into the universe and tell their stories their way. While the film itself follows a well trodden Marvel formula, the film is a lot of fun and gorgeous to look at thanks to some unique action scenes.

Along for the ride is a fun and talented cast headlined by Simu Liu. Unknown here stateside except for the TV show Kim's Convenience, his casting proves incredibly beneficial to the film as he is the perfect everyman. You believe he could be a valet but also as we dig into his past, a deadly martial artist. His chemistry with Awkwafina is fantastic and she gets to inject a lot of humor into the movie. She also doesn't get sidelined in the action scenes, becoming an important part of Shang's fight against Wenwu. Meng'er Zhang kicks all sorts of butt as Shang's sister and from the looks of it, her time in the MCU isn't over yet. I can't wait to see where she turns up next. It's hard to talk about the cast and not mention the legend Tony Leung. His villain is much more sympathetic than expected and the love story at the center of his story is sad and tragic. Although I would still put Michael B. Jordan's Killmonger on top, Wenwu is one of the best villains the MCU has given us.

Early reactions hailed the action as groundbreaking. While I have seen better martial arts action in other films, there are still plenty of unique action scenes that pepper the film, from the opening fight on the bus to a jaw dropping one on scaffolding on the side of a building. The climactic scene involves some fantastical creatures and dragons and is unlike anything the MCU has ever done before. I was a little disappointed here though as it feels a little too dark to truly appreciate the visuals and spectacle.

While not the best the MCU has provided, a sympathetic villain and visually stunning action scenes help make this new entry in the universe one of the better in recent memory.

Grade: B+