In the history of the MCU, there have been many movies that have left fans breathless and in awe. Iron Man remains a classic, having founded the MCU through a mix of solid action, amazing acting, and character development. Avengers first unites Earth's Mightiest Heroes against a villain who is still one of the MCU's best. Captain America: Winter Soldier takes audiences by surprise, a fast-paced thriller with heavy emotional stakes that's a clear departure from previous installments in the franchise. Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame bring together the whole arc in an explosive array of unity and chaotic color.
After all that, fans may wonder what innovations Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings can bring to the table. As it turns out, there are plenty of elements that make Shang-Chi a must-watch for any MCU fan.
10 It Includes Beautifully Choreographed Martial Arts
The MCU has always included exciting climactic battles, many of them flashy or against CGI opponents like the Chitauri. And yet, one of the best fight scenes in the MCU to this day is the one between Captain America and the Winter Soldier. Shang-Chi takes this a step forward and adds its own twist. The fighting sequences in the movie are reminiscent of traditional kung fu movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Even with the usual MCU flare, the poetry of each motion is undeniable, the grace and speed of each fighter drawing the viewer's eye. The fact that the movie stars actors like Michelle Yeoh and Tony Leung certainly helps, and Simu Liu's portrayal of the titular hero is impeccable.
9 Its Cultural Significance Is Undeniable
The first Asian-led superhero movie in the MCU, Shang-Chi is a valuable addition to its roster by mere virtue of its existence. But its cultural significance goes beyond that. The characters speak in Mandarin for a large part of the movie. Shang-Chi spends his childhood in Asia, but after he moves to the States, he's confronted with the challenges Asian Americans have to face. He's exposed to prejudice, and he mentions being called "Gangnam Style" even though he is not Korean.
The appearance of his friend Katy's family is also relevant. The three generations allow for a realistic glimpse into not only the dynamic of a family of Chinese immigrants but the cross-generational differences that exists between them. Katy is constantly at odds with her mother who is dissatisfied with Katy's job as a valet. Meanwhile, Katy's grandmother is more interested in the potential marriage between Katy and Shang-Chi.
8 The Movie Incorporates Chinese Mythology
The movie's connection with Shang-Chi's Chinese background goes beyond the people. During Shang-Chi's quest, he visits the mystical dimension of Ta Lo, his mother's home. There, he's greeted by the sight of many unusual creatures. Viewers have mistakenly identified some of the beasts as knockoff Pokémon, but in reality, they are inspired by Chinese mythology. The Great Protector - the being keeping Ta Lo safe - is also a dragon.
7 There's A Strong Female-Male Friendship, With No Romance In Sight
Usually, when a female character and a male character have a strong relationship, romance inevitably blooms. Examples of such relationships in the MCU include Pepper and Tony and Jane Foster and Thor. Thor's friendship with Lady Sif seemed strong at first, but she's recently disappeared from the MCU. What makes the relationship between Shang-Chi and his friend Katy a pleasant surprise is that they make it clear that they're just friends and that their relationship isn't romantic in any way. It's a good reminder for audiences that people of opposite sexes can be friends, without expectations of a romantic bond forming.
6 It Still Has A Strong Element Of Romance - Done Right And Gone Wrong
Katy and Shang-Chi may not have a romantic relationship, but there's still a significant romantic thread tying it all together. The whole story revolves around the love the main villain feels for his lost wife, Ying Li. The ancient warlord, Xu Wenwu, encounters Ying Li while searching for Ta Lo, but he abandons his quest for power when he falls in love with her. The two get married and have two children.
It's a strong story of redemption, but it all goes wrong when Ying Li is killed by Xu Wenwu's enemies, the Iron Gang. Xu Wenwu returns to his former ways and later trains his son to become an assassin in order to get revenge on them.
5 It Redeems Iron Man's Iconic Villain The Mandarin
Xu Wenwu is all the more important because he is a depiction of a villain who hasn't received the best treatment in the MCU. Iron Man's iconic villain, The Mandarin, was supposed to show up in the third movie depicting Tony Stark's solo adventures. Fans were shocked and disappointed when they learned Ben Kingsley portrayed a fake version of the character. Trevor Slattery was in fact a drunken actor hired by Aldrich Killian.
Shang-Chi corrects the issue, with Xu Wenwu even explaining that Aldrich and Trevor Slattery had been inspired by his legend in the creation of their version of the Mandarin. He finds the name itself somewhat amusing. "They made Americans fear an orange," he says with a laugh. He isn't wrong to be amused, as his mystical Ten Rings aren't rings at all but a set of bracelets, and the threat he poses would make Killian cower and hide.
4 It Stars Many Relatable Characters
Shang-Chi stars many relatable characters. The villain's actions are understandable at a very human level. Even in the real world, it's not unusual for families to be broken and a parent to turn abusive in the wake of their spouse's death. The hero isn't perfect either. He's afraid of his past, leaves his sister behind, and prefers a life that's carefree over one full of responsibility. He's often out of his depth, although he ultimately overcomes many of his misgivings and grows into what he is supposed to be.
Katy Chen is perhaps the most relatable character of all. She's just a regular young woman who enjoys doing karaoke with her best friend. Her only remarkable skill is in driving. And then, she's suddenly thrust into the middle of a magical conflict and finds out Shang-Chi is a former assassin with mystical powers. Viewers can definitely empathize with her shock and cheer for her as she adjusts to his world.
3 A Lesser-Known Villain From The Comics Is Also Involved
The Mandarin may be the main villain of the story, but in reality, he's being manipulated by the Dweller-in-Darkness. A lesser-known villain from comics, the Dweller-in-Darkness appears as one of the Fear Lords and is involved in battles with Dr. Strange. His look in the MCU is very different from his comic counterpart, who is more humanoid, albeit with tentacles on his face.
Even so, his mere presence is very interesting. Especially considering the increasing references to the multiverse in the MCU, the Dweller-in-Darkness could be a hint to a future villain Dr. Strange will face in the Multiverse of Madness, or maybe even something that will appear in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
2 The Use Of Interesting Cameos Ties It All Together
One of the first Phase Four movies in the MCU - after the much delayed Black Widow - Shang-Chi had a ton of reminding, refreshing, and setting up to do. The fun cameos from other MCU characters help tie the movie in with its predecessors. Wong is always a welcome presence, but Abomination is a much bigger surprise. And then, there is the conversation Shang-Chi and Katy have with Captain Marvel and a distinctly de-Hulked Bruce Banner. The exchange raises a lot of questions and it also promises other interesting things for the future of the MCU.
1 The Post-Credit Scene Sets Up A Possible Great New Villain
Shang-Chi isn't the only person affected by his father's grief and returns to villainy. After he flees the Ten Rings, his sister Xialing is left abandoned and alone. At first, she tries to believe he will come back for her as he promised, but she eventually understands that won't happen. She trains herself in combat and starts her own criminal empire in Macao.
Interestingly enough, after her father's death at the end of Shang-Chi, she is shown as having taken over the Ten Rings. Time will tell if Xialing will remain a tentative ally to Shang-Chi, or if she will become a villain.