Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Name: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Genre: action, adventure, fantasy
Released: 2021-07-19
Duration: 1 hr 38 min
Rating: 7
Cast: Awkwafina, Ben Kingsley, Florian Munteanu, Meng'er Zhang, Michelle Yeoh

Marvel

1 hr 38 min

2021

disneyplus

Rating

Trailer

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Storyline

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings introduces the MCU’s newest hero, Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), a skilled martial artist who has lived a seemingly normal life in San Francisco. However, his past comes back to haunt him when he is attacked by the mysterious organization known as the Ten Rings, led by his father, Wenwu (Tony Leung), who possesses the powerful Ten Rings, which grant him immortality and vast power.

Shang-Chi is reluctantly pulled back into his father’s world of global intrigue and ancient martial arts. He is forced to confront his estranged relationship with his father, who seeks to use the Ten Rings to unlock the power of an ancient, mystical realm. To stop him, Shang-Chi must confront his own inner demons and uncover the truth about his family’s legacy.

Along the way, Shang-Chi is joined by his friend Katy (Awkwafina) and the mysterious warrior Xialing (Meng’er Zhang), who has her own connection to the Ten Rings organization. As the group battles deadly foes, including the fearsome creatures from the mystical realm, Shang-Chi must learn to embrace his destiny as the true wielder of the Ten Rings and fight to prevent global catastrophe.

Genres

action adventure fantasy

Content rating PG

Duration 1 hr 38 min

Last Updated 30/05/2025

Cast

Awkwafina Ben Kingsley Florian Munteanu Meng'er Zhang Michelle Yeoh Simu Liu Stephanie Hsu

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Cast & Crew

Awkwafina

Ben Kingsley

Florian Munteanu

Meng'er Zhang

Michelle Yeoh

Simu Liu

Stephanie Hsu

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Review - 7/10 Rating

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a visually stunning and action-packed entry in the MCU, blending traditional martial arts with spectacular fantasy elements. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film offers a fresh and exciting take on the superhero genre, introducing an underrepresented Asian superhero in Shang-Chi. Simu Liu brings charisma and depth to the role, effectively balancing the film’s lighthearted moments with the emotional weight of his character’s family drama.

Tony Leung’s portrayal of Wenwu, the complex and morally ambiguous villain, is a standout, adding a layer of depth to what could have been a one-dimensional antagonist. The film also benefits from an excellent supporting cast, including Awkwafina as the comedic and loyal Katy, who provides much-needed humor.

The action sequences are a highlight, with some of the most dynamic and beautifully choreographed martial arts battles ever seen in an MCU film, particularly in the early fight scenes. The blend of practical and CGI effects for the fantasy elements, such as the mystical creatures and the final battle in the mystical realm, is impressive, though occasionally overwhelming.

Despite its exciting action and strong performances, the film struggles with pacing, especially in the middle act, and some characters could have been more fleshed out. However, Shang-Chi is a refreshing and exciting addition to the MCU that offers a lot of promise for future stories. 7/10.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Trivia

Did You Know?

Shang-Chi is the first Marvel movie to feature an Asian lead character, bringing much-needed representation to the MCU.
Simu Liu, who plays Shang-Chi, was relatively unknown to American audiences before landing the lead role, having previously worked in television and comedy.
Tony Leung, who plays Wenwu, is a legendary Hong Kong actor, known for his roles in films like In the Mood for Love and Infernal Affairs.
The Ten Rings organization was first introduced in the MCU in Iron Man 3 (2013), where it was implied to be led by the Mandarin, later revealed to be Wenwu in this film.
The fight choreography in Shang-Chi was heavily inspired by classic martial arts films, particularly the work of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.
Awkwafina’s character, Katy, was originally written as a more serious role, but the filmmakers decided to make her comedic after realizing Awkwafina’s comedic strengths.
The mystical creatures that appear in the film, including the Great Protector, were inspired by Chinese mythology and folklore.
The film features an epic bus fight sequence that was filmed on location in San Francisco and took several weeks to plan and execute.
Xialing (played by Meng’er Zhang), Shang-Chi’s sister, is a new character created for the film and is not directly based on a character from the comics.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is part of Phase 4 of the MCU, and its events connect to future MCU projects, including Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.