| Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) | |
|---|---|
 |
Rating: 7.4/10 (432,397 votes) Director: Destin Daniel Cretton Writer: Dave Callaham, Destin Daniel Cretton, Andrew Lanham Stars: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Leung Chiu-wai Runtime: 132 min Rated: PG-13 Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy Released: 03 Sep 2021 |
| Plot: Shang-Chi, the master of weaponry-based Kung Fu, is forced to confront his past after being drawn into the Ten Rings organization. | |
The first proper outing for the new phase of the MCU – Black Widow was a sort of coda to the previous phase – and we have an origin tale for a new hero….but one that veers away from the usual formula of MCU origins, to instead deliver something vibrant, mystical, and very much a Chinese mythology story.
With a backstory opening, to set the foundations of the lore and history of Shang Chi’s lineage, and that of the Ten Rings – the real ten rings, not the fake organisation set up in Iron Man and Iron Man 3 – the film swiftly moves onto the present day where Shaun (Simu Lin) lives a simple life as a valet, alongside his best friend Katy (Awkwafina). However, when the pair get attacked by assassins randomly whilst travelling on the bus Shaun reveals himself to be more than his unassuming self, as he is Shang-Chi and his past holds many secrets which could pose a danger to the world. He and Katy set off to find Shang’s sister, and hopefully prevent the ten rings from destroying the world…
Right out the gate, the film sets out its stall – the backstory telling holds a very sumptuous, Crouching Tiger aesthetic to to, with majestically choreographed fights, and swirling mysticism – the opening fight being more than a simple show of power, but a seduction and courtship all in one (whether this sends a message that to woo a woman in China, just try beating her up is uncertain). As the film progresses, even when set in the cityscapes of the modern world, the fights are reminiscent of some of the best of Chinese martial arts cinema, and indeed one or two moments are seemingly influenced by the early antics of Jackie Chan in his Hong Kong action work. Breathtakingly staged, the key set pieces early on including the bus attack by Razor Fist, and the skyscraper scaffold escape are wonderfully constructed, entertaining, infused with vibrant energy, and marvellously shot throughout. A genuine sense of thrill and peril feeds through the action moments, before the film slows down to move the story along in a mythical quest-like structure that works for the themes of the film.
levitra online no prescription But, the cost of Kamagra oral jelly is slight bit higher. We only serve what is good for our health, we all know that, but have you ever thought about the making of an anti-impotent drug? If no, let’s go and have a look on the information provided here- Manufacturing of a tablet- Different tablets for erectile dysfunction started in the middle of XX century with viagra canada cost. Similarly there are many that don’t have the buy sildenafil canada time to take action and change your lifestyle in order to get you laptop sold at this place and it is strictly a no. Yoga cialis pills and meditation help a lot to keep the animal in good health.By the time the film gets to the final act, there will already have been some unexpected surprises along the way, and we are thrust into a mythical land of water dragons and strange beasts, as well as dark monsters, and this is where the film deviates the most from the usual MCU formula. The closing battle (because, of course there has to be one) is something lavishly crafted and somewhat unique for the MCU, and still holds a few small surprises (none of which I will spoil here).
The cast range from fine to great, and Simu Lin is well placed in the centre role. Obviously Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh deliver marvellously as expected, and it is nice to see some familiar presences from the greater MCU pop up in unexpected, but entirely plausible, moments (again, no spoilers). But the big surprise is Awkwafina who seems to have the same schtick in all her roles, but here, whilst still starting off as a typical Awkwafina part, evolves over the film to become a genuine heart of the story, and you go from wishing she had not followed Shang Chi on his quest, to be glad that she did very quickly.
Shang Chi is an exciting example of the MCU doing something different for this post-Endgame setting, and with Eternals looking like it will also adopt a different feel than the previous era, it certainly bodes well for the upcoming years ahead.
