Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Director: Destin Daniel Cretton

Starring: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Chiu-Wai Leung

Shang-Chi, the master of weaponry-based Kung Fu, is forced to confront his past after being drawn into the Ten Rings organization.

I somehow thought ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ would be in the vain of ‘Mortal Kombat’ (2021) and I would love it just as much. Unfortunately, it wasn’t, and I didn’t.

A Thousand years ago Xu Wenwu discovered the Ten Rings, which granted him great powers, and immortality. Travelling to a mystical forest, he meets its guardian, Ying Li, whom he first fights in a battle seemingly to the death, but then falls in love with her (!). Their children are Shang-Chi and Xialing.

Shaun (as Shang-Chi is known in ordinary life) and his best friend Katy are valet drivers – parking cars for a living. Katy (Awkwafina) was fabulous as the sidekick and comic relief. They approach Shaun’s sister, Xialing, and together they go on a journey to save their Mother, whom they believe to be held captive behind a sealed gate.

The film is probably more involved and confusing than it ought to have been, and there’s a bit too much humour. The action sequences (especially the bus scene) are well done, but the over-use of CGI sometimes ruins the moment.

With lots of action, adventure, suspense, and magical, mythical creatures, you surely will be entertained. The climax is pure high fantasy with lots of CGI, and the ending was maybe a bit too superhero Hollywood-ish for my liking. Apart from the adventure element, the film is also about vengeance and redemption.

Moments in the movie are visually stunning; some moments are not so great. In general, this was entertaining enough to keep me interested, but I think once is enough.

‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ broke several records. It earned $432 million on an estimated $200 million budget, and received 85 award nominations, winning 18.

Would I watch it again? I don’t think so.