SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS features father and son as the masters of unarmed Kung fu. Shang Chi is forced to face his past when he’s drawn back into the five rings by his father who’s known as the world’s most dangerous man with the power of the ten rings. Xu Wemwu (Tony Leung) has immortality and has lived for hundreds of years.
The story moves forward to 1996 where we’re introduced to Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), the son who has also trained to be a master of no weapon kung fu. Shang Chi lives in hiding in San Francisco as a valet car parker along-side his childhood friend Katy (Awkwafina), who has no knowledge of Shang Chi’s past.
The story jumps into hyperdrive with a kung fu fight scene on a bus with a gang of martial artists led by Razor Fist a humongous man with a sword in place of an arm.
Shang Chi also has a sister who’s spent her entire life training to be a master killer. The siblings are reunited by their father who’s spent hundreds of years accumulating wealth. Needless to say Xu Xemwu is a billionaire with a private plane and lives in a castle.
The three travel to a parallel world with mystical creatures. Marvel Magic is at work with some incredible fight scenes and a fantasy world with plenty of mystical action.
SHANG CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS is a welcome addition to the Marvel franchise. The chemistry of the cast is a winner, especially the character played by Awkwafina. She adds a real comic edge to the movie.
As with most Marvel movies there’s a scene after the ending credits and this is something you must stay for. It tells a great deal about the future of the series.
The movie is rated PG-13 and lasts 2 hrs and 12 minutes. On my “Hollywood Popcorn Scale” I rate the movie a JUMBO.
