IR Film Review: SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS [Marvel/Disney]
The balance of tone and intention is always an interesting monster to tackle since the force of gravitas in a movie cannot overcome the spectacle. In "Shang-Chi & The Legend Of The Ten Rings", it is a pendulum swing back and forth melding the aspect of the Marvel Comics with both an Asian sensibility and a Western flair. Simu Liu who plays the lead character has the tenants of a hero in the making and, of course, this film is supposed to introduce him but despite his intention, it is the two women around him that have the most impact. Awkwafina starts off as one might think, as a comic relief or foil, but interestingly enough, by the end, her journey is much more diametric, especially in how she has to react to a different world around her, while still keeping her trademark snark but also a tenderness and strength in balance. Odes to "Speed" early in the movie show that dynamic between her and Liu which is a good parallel in terms of approach. Liu almost underplays his character to a point to both give himself space but also so his movement towards enlightenment doesn't overcome his sensibilities.
Fala Chen as Lieku Wu has a really interesting journey as well. Liu as a character interestingly enough is the most linear in how he interacts with Tony Leung as Xu who permeates his gravitas despite some plot holes, and logic problems with his character, especially for one who walks the line between empathy and violence. Michele Yeoh provides much of the exposition but, as always, can flow effortlessly whichever world she finds herself in. Much of the action earlier in the movie (especially in one Asian city setting) takes on a neon grittiness which it loses in the second half of the movie. The reasoning is correct but it becomes less grounded because of this.
The shoehorn of how access is achieved into a separate plain at one point makes sense but the McGuffin that leads them there, though specific in an explaining an earlier Marvel movie question, seems a little outside the box in almost too many ways. The hero's plight is just and his trauma understandable in the 3rd act but there is a heavy disconnect within the family structure so it becomes hard to really feel for the connection except between sister and brother and brother and would-be best friend/girlfriend. The influence of the mother is felt and, though fueled by love, doesn't gel with her protection of her ideals (in a way). The action in the finale actually chooses scale over intimate action which can happen in world builder films. In that way, "Shang-Chi", as a film, is, in many ways, unbalanced while still delivering what it promises (even as it speaks to bigger inclusion in the continuing next phase of Marvel Movies). B-
By Tim Wassberg
