MCU films can lack a sense of worldbuilding wonder and feeling of creativity within the action, so it’s pleasing how different this is with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Simu Liu plays Xu Shang-Chi, who in shame of a past moves to San Fransisco. Naturally he has unknown special abilities, and Liu did a lot of his own stunts.

What kinda sucks though is how although I believe he’s a great actor, he doesn’t seem enormously charismatic here. Given Liu tweeted in 2014 “Hey Marvel, great job with Cpt America and Thor. Now how about an Asian-American hero?”, and followed up with “LOL” after getting the role, you feel some disappointment.

Still, almost to make up for this, Awkwafina as a best friend utterly chews up every bit of scenery, to the point of being a secondary protagonist. And Shang-Chi’s father by Tony Leung proves to be a very compatible villain to the Marvel universe, his arc actually even resembling that of Anakin Skywalker’s.

The short and simple summary then is Shang-Chi at the least, makes sure you have a blast. Your Cinema Needs You!