Shang-Chi & The Legend of The Ten Rings

 

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The MCU was ready for some kung fu fighting, and the success of Shang-Chi so far has been fast as lightning. Shang-Chi and The Legend Of The Ten Rings is the latest MCU feature film, and the first to feature an all Asian cast. This was similar to Black Panther which featured an all black cast, and showed the world the beauty of Africa and African cultures, and Shang-Chi has done the same thing for Asian peoples all around the world.

Seeing the trailer and the film, I was immediately sensing vibes of Ra's Al Ghul and the League Of Assassins from DC Comics, and Shang-Chi was Damian Wayne. With that in mind, one of the many neat things about the movie is the sympathetic antagonist in the form of the titular character's father, Wenwu. Although his methods were extreme, you could understand that it was coming from a place as a loving father who was a mourning widow, and was willing to do anything to restore his family. Speaking of family, Xialing (the sister) is a fine addition to the MCU, and to the roster of confident women. The connection with her brother she still yearns for, the desire to bend traditional ideas that transforms the Ten Rings into a more inclusive space for all, and bring her own confident self was an amazing spectacle.

On a different note, a common issue with most MCU films is the humor undercutting the more serious elements of the films. But, Awkwafina was a breath of fresh air; allowing for the more serious moments to marinate. Now, speaking of Awkwafina and Simu, I found I had something in common with them: we are Millennials. Everything so far since WandaVision has been through the neurotic/questioning lense of millennials; questioning the values of the golden age of heroes, and wandering without any sense of direction. This might be why some people have questioned the "quality" of the MCU after Avengers: Endgame. Because the future of the MCU is now being seen through the lens of us Millennials (something which may not sit well with older people).

If you haven't seen Shang-Chi and The Legend Of The Ten Rings yet, then you need to see it in theaters while you can, or until it becomes available on Disney+.