Shang Chi: A Refreshing Take for the MCU
This groundbreaking film is the first MCU film to feature an Asian lead and mostly Asian cast in the year 2021. Among all the multiverse talk Shang Chi is a beautiful story that celebrates Asian and Asian-American culture. It feels refreshing within the repetitive MCU storyline and is something the superhero franchise desperately needed. It is perfectly able to stand alone from the other films with barely any MCU tie-ins that severely impact anything in the story. Maybe all MCU films don't need a callback to Tony Stark or a cameo?
Director Destin Daniel Cretton, known for Just Mercy, often tells stories about stereotyped systems and people within society and humanizes them. His ability to do this makes him the perfect director to take on Shang Chi. While there are fantasy elements he brings them in to create a world that feels grounded with the relationship dynamics and culture. Other than Black Panther it is one of the rare MCU movies that feels like it has a culture making it easy to connect with audiences who haven't felt scene on screen.
Shang Chi's strongest element is how it handles relationships between family and friends. Watching Tony Leung and Fala Chen's onscreen was some of the best chemistry I have seen in years. It is absolutely romantic and radiant along with the visual effects that up the attraction. The relationship between siblings sets up future MCU plans that feel exciting and fresh. As these characters were already so well developed that it leaves more demand to see where they go in the feature. Even after spending years apart and some family drama Shang-Chi and sister Xialing come together as an unbeatable force that is fun to watch.
Instead of a romantic interest, Shang Chi is paired with his friend Katy. Awkwafina as Katy carries the entire comedic relief of the film that is placed to break up the intensity of the family dynamic. Their relationship is cute and shows that they both deeply care for one another without crossing over into uncharted territory. The relationships work in favor of the supporting characters instead of the title characters. The main star is Tony Leung's Wenwu as he continues to grow and expand as the story progresses. Same with Katy, her character learns guidance by the end something she is lacking when we meet her.
In an interesting way, Shang Chi is a story about balance and power. This is seen in the settings of peaceful Ta Lo and urban San Francisco as well as the difference in the fighting methods of Shang Chi's parents. The choreography of stunts was not cut and paste-like other Marvel titles, it felt innovative and drew reference to many Jackie Chan movies that made it feel even more meaningful.
The creative elements mixed with its themes make this an enjoyable theater experience filled with tears, laughter, and smiles. It didn't even feel like a Marvel because it focuses on creating this separate world instead of going out of its way to use Shang Chi's story to further an MCU storyline as the franchise has done with previous titles. It opens the doors for new Marvel fans as well as those who left because of overplayed plot points and messy character development