More Marvel magic in a new setting...the first Asian superhero to emerge from the Marvel universe. Based on a secondary comic book hero, Shang-Chi, Marvel brings this origin story to life with the big screen treatment usually reserved for its "A-List" heroes. Director Destin Daniel Cretton, who also co-wrote the story and screenplay pays homage to great martial arts films past , including " Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "Enter the Dragon", Kung Fu Hustle" and others but also injects a freshness and modern sensibility into the film as well.
The film stars Simu Liu, who is more than up to the task of superhero, with the looks, charm and ability to own the role. Awkwafina plays his longtime friend, Katy who is caught up in the adventure when she discovers "Shaun's" secret past. Adding royal acting credibility to the film is Tony Leung as Xu Wenwu, Shang-Chi's father and leader of the mysterious Ten Rings syndicate, as well as owner of the powerful ten rings themselves and Michele Yeoh as Ying Nan, guardian of the magical dimension of Ta Lo and Shang-Chi's aunt. Also co-starring are Meng'er Zhang as Xu Xialing, Shang-Chi's sister, Fala Chen as Ying Li, Shang-Chi's mother, and Florian Munteanu as Razorfist, a major villain. There are some surprise cameos from other characters in the Marvel universe as well.
Mr. Cretton does an excellent job of creating a stand-alone action adventure and yet still manages to link it to the rest of the Marvel universe in fun ways. The film is humorous, mostly due to Awkwafina's performance but serious enough when it comes to family and tradition. The action sequences are terrific, especially early on but do dissolve into CGI overload in the finale, which plays like "The Never-Ending Story" meets "Ghidorah, the Three Headed Monster".
This is a welcome addition to the Marvel cannon. And as with all Marvel films, stay through the credits for two additional scenes, which in this case, are surprising and important.
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