Movie review: Marvel's 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' a masterpiece

By Janell Williams | Staff writer

Kung fu plus killer graphics, plus a shirtless Simu Liu, equals one kick-ass movie.

Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” is truly a masterpiece. From beginning to end audience members are kept on the edge of their seats filled with curiosity of what is to happen next.

The film opens with Xialing, Shang-Chi’s mother, telling the story of how she met his father in her village of Ta Lo and how she was the only one to ever defeat him and change his ways. She then gives him a pendant to remind him of where he comes from.

The film then follows the life of Shaun, a taxi driver in San Francisco and his best friend, Katy. Their world is turned upside down when some followers of Shaun’s father attack him on a city bus in pursuit of a pendant around his neck. Triumphantly, he defeats them, but they retrieve the pendant.

As a result, Shaun and Katy embark on a journey to find his sister and stop their father from unleashing an evil, soul-sucking entity on their mother’s village.

I think this film did a great job in capturing the audience, especially when it came to special effects. It kept me on my toes with plot twists, not too many to the point where I would get frustrated, but just enough to make me want to keep watching to see if my theories were correct.

I was glued to the screen the entire time, and not just to drool over Simu Liu. His co-star Akwafina also does an amazing job, as always, as being the comic relief of the film. Her raspy voice and hilarious wit made her the perfect person for this role.

As Marvel’s first Asian superhero, Shang-Chi brings a lot of pride and inspiration to audience members everywhere. To think, this all started when Liu posted a joking tweet to Marvel about introducing an Asian hero.

However, Liu has not taken his breakthrough role lightly as he uses his newfound social media growth to speak out on behalf of the Asian community.

When Disney CEO, Bob Chapek, called his casting an experiment, Liu responded by tweeting, “We are not an experiment...We are the underdog; the underestimated. We are the ceiling-breakers.”

With a budget of $200 million, producer Kevin Feige and director Destin Cretton really outdid themselves as they captured the essence of both Asian and American culture as they coincide. Topics such as westernization and self-actualization are explored for, not just one, but multiple characters as they embark on their journey.

This film has amazing graphics that make you feel as if you are a part of the film, lulling storytelling that will leave you encapsulated the entire time, and twists that will send your emotions into a spiral.

Note: At top of page, moviegoers can view the film at movie theaters in the Augusta area. (photo by Janell Williams)

Contact Janell Williams at jwilliams30@augusta.edu.