Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

• This might be even better the second time. Considering I totally loved it on the first watch, this one felt so much more fun because I didn’t have to bother learning new information. I love it so much because you get such a great taste of culture, as well as having an awesome fantasy element that outdoes most other fantasy MCU films. It uses Chinese culture to tell its story, which sets it apart from every single other MCU project. This isn’t your typical superhero film where the buff white savior has to step in and save the day. I’ve always really liked seeing and learning about Chinese culture (or really any kind of Asian traditions), and this film is just that. I also really like how the story uses folklore and ancient legends to help move the plot forward. It kept the film interesting, even during the slower scenes. The costume design was extremely good, and like I said before, it gives you an excellent glimpse at Chinese life. The entire cast was really good as well. I seriously enjoyed Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, and with Doomsday in two months, I’m extremely glad that Marvel remembered Shang-Chi exists. He’s definitely one of the more underrated heroes, and I hate that hardly anybody talks about him. Liu embodies him so well. I also enjoyed Awkwafina and Michelle Yeoh in their respective roles. There’s a lot of Awkwafina haters out there, but I’m not one of them. The visual effects were gorgeous, especially in the third act. It’s definitely such a colorful and vivid vibe, even in the technically dark scenes. The CGI used for all the animals was fantastic, and their designs give the film an awesome feel. The fight scenes were extremely well shot, and the choreography was some of the best I’ve ever seen in an MCU film. The presence of martial arts really spiced up the film, giving it a new feel that other MCU films don’t always have. Any characters doing martial arts make a film immediately more exciting than just straight punching. The score was also one of my favorites in the MCU, as it has (and I’m wearing this out, but it’s true)...Chinese culture. Overall, this was a gorgeous and exciting film that is one of the better MCU films in the last several years, and I’d definitely recommend it to all MCU fans. This film is officially Berry Approved, so go watch it now!