'Shang-Chi' an exciting, refreshing adventure

A film based on the Marvel character, Shang-Chi, has been in some stage of development for a couple decades. Even before the birth of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Marvel Asian superhero has been trying to make his way to the big screen.

Now, Shang-Chi finally makes his journey to the big screen in the latest explosive MCU origin story.

Marvel Studios ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ follows Shang-Chi, who must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization.

‘Shang-Chi’ is an enjoyable and extremely entertaining origin MCU feature. The latest from Marvel delivers incredible action sequences and spectacular martial arts fun. This MCU feature also marks the incredible return of the Ten Rings (last seen in ‘Iron Man’) and the reveal of the iconic Marvel villain, the Mandarin, portrayed brilliantly by the scene-stealing Tony Leung.

Like most MCU movies, ‘Shang-Chi’ does an outstanding job blending humor into the drama and the action that this film offers. The visual effects are extremely impressive and there are quite a few surprises scattered throughout the origin tale.

‘Shang-Chi’ also has a couple post-credit scenes that are completely unexpected and truly interesting.

So, if you enjoy all of the movies that the MCU offers, then I am certain that you will enjoy ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ filled with incredible visuals, awesome action and lots of fun, the latest MCU origin story really delivers and packs a punch.

The cast: Simu Liu (TVs Kim’s Convenience) as Shaun/Shang-Chi; Tony Leung as Xu Wenwu; Awkwafina (Raya and the Last Dragon) as Katy; Meng’er Zhang as Xialing; Fala Chen as Li; Michelle Yeoh (Hulu’s Boss Level; Last Christmas) as Ying Nan; Wah Yuen as Master Guang Bo; Florian Munteanu (Creed II) as Razor Fist; Paul W. He as Chancellor Hui and Benedict Wong (Raya and the Last Dragon) as Wong.

‘Shang-Chi’ is written by Dave Callaham (Mortal Kombat; Wonder Woman 1984), Destin Daniel Cretton (Just Mercy; The Glass Castle) and Andrew Lanham (Just Mercy) and also directed by Destin Daniel Crettn (Just Mercy; The Glass Castle).

In the early 2000s, a ‘Shang-Chi’ movie was in the early stages of development. By 2003, a film version was in development and the following year, Ang Lee joined the project as a producer. Ultimately, the project didn’t materialize after that point and the rights to the Shang-Chi character reverted to Marvel.

In September 2005, Marvel chairman and CEO Avi Arad announced ‘Shang-Chi’ as one of the ten properties being developed as films by the then-newly formed Marvel Studios.

By December 2018, Marvel had fast-tracked development of the film with the intent of making it their first film with an Asian lead. The studio’s goal was for the film to explore Asian and Asian-American themes presented by Asian/Asian-American filmmakers as they had done for African culture with ‘Black Panther.’

‘Shang-Chi’ had its world premiere at the El Capitan Theatre and TCL Chinese Theater in LA on August 16, 2021. The film will have a 45 day exclusive theatrical release, rather than being released simultaneously in theaters and on Disney Plus with Premier Access.

‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, and language and has a running time of 132 minutes.