“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” is the latest movie from Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and is the 25th film in the critically acclaimed franchise. The movie follows Shang-Chi, played by Simu Liu, as he confronts his past and comes face to face with his father, Wenwu, played by Tony Leung, who leads the global Ten Rings organization. The movie itself focuses heavily on Asian culture, giving it a unique vibe compared to other MCU movies. 

I was very excited going into this movie, especially considering how the promotional material behind it made it look like the next must-see blockbuster. And I have to say it definitely didn’t disappoint. The movie combines the classic MCU comedy and action with the feel and choreography of an older kung fu movie. The cinematography is stunning, with gorgeous scenery and bright colors that set it apart from most big action movies.

The best part of this movie was definitely the casting. Simu Liu as Shang-Chi is very natural in the role and is a joy to watch on the big screen. The cast as a whole is great, and I especially liked the on-screen tension between Simu Liu and Tony Leung. Their performances were the highlight of the movie.

The only minor critique I have is that the humor can feel unwarranted in some scenes. There are a couple of bigger moments undercut by jokes in the movie. The post-credits scene in particular feels like it should have been presented as a big important moment, but instead, the characters spend most of the scene cracking jokes. 

Another massive upside is the fight choreography throughout the movie. The kung fu influence helps separate them from other MCU fights and serves to make the fight scenes more interesting to watch. Overall, this is a very enjoyable movie that strikes a good balance between following the classic MCU format, while also establishing itself as something new and innovative for Marvel. I’d give this movie a strong 4/5 and recommend it to anyone invested in the MCU or looking for a more mainstream version of classic kung fu movies.