Simu Liu Meets His Marvel Destiny In 'Shang-Chi'

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) saga continues with a groundbreaking movie that shines a light on Marvel’s first Asian superhero, introducing Simu Liu as a martial arts warrior faced with an emotional reckoning brought upon by his haunting past.

“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, opens with a Mandarin narration recounting the genesis of the crime lord Wenwu (Tony Leung). As such, he is an immortal man with mystical powers granted by the ten rings in his possession. Over the years, he has built an empire with an army of strong warriors called the Ten Rings.

Watch the trailer.

As he expands his world dominance, little does he know that love conquers all, suddenly propelling the menacing man into a wuxia-inspired whirlwind romance with an enchanting woman named Jiang Li (Fala Chen). Set in a mesmerizing magical forest, this movie scene feels as if love had tamed a hopeless romantic at first sight.

The two fall in love, but tragedy strikes unexpectedly, leaving Wenwu heartbroken over his beloved’s untimely death.

The narrative then pivots its focus to the present day as it takes audiences to the rolling hills of San Francisco, featuring Shaun (Liu), a plain young man, and Katy (Awkwafina), his ebullient bestie from high school years. Together, the platonic and close friends live a mundane life, juggling multiple gigs by day and singing karaoke by night.

Moments later, the film’s most gripping action sequence kicks off when Shaun is attacked on a speeding bus by several brawny henchmen, deftly highlighting Shaun’s wondrous precision and agility in martial arts. Meanwhile, much to her surprise, Katy just can’t fathom what is unfolding before her eyes. Is this the same old pal she has gotten to know over the years?

As it turns out, Shaun is really Shang-Chi, Wenwu and Jiang Li’s estranged son — a martial arts master-turned assassin who ran away from home after his mother’s death when he was a teenager. Apparently, the young man detests the Ten Rings and his father’s murderous ways, which served as a catalyst for Shang-Chi’s actions to reinvent himself in the process.

However, his dark past has finally caught up with him. And it appears Shang-Chi can no longer shun it, setting in motion the young man’s adventure of a lifetime to meet his destiny and find his rightful place.

All in all, with electrifying performances, graceful visuals and well-thought-out direction, the action-packed movie with a heart is a must-see — though there are times when the peaks and valleys of the screenplay feel rather off and uneven.

Tip: Make sure not to miss the two post-credit scenes.

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