Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: 5 proofs that the film marks a revival of Marvel Studio

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A DARK AND MOVING ORIGIN-STORY

Much less well known than many other Marvel comics issues, Shang-Chi’s story is no less rich, deep and moving. Gnawed by the disappearance of his mother and the absence of a bereaved father and transformed into a warlord, the hero decides to leave this dysfunctional environment behind him, at the same time abandoning a little sister who will have a hard time stifle his anger.

Now leading a life that could not be more banal in San Francisco, under the name of Shaun, in the company of his funny and brilliant best friend Katy (Awkwafina), this young man with a pure heart is caught by his past. Confronted once again with the wounds of this family heritage that he has tried to hide all his life, he must face a father who has become an enemy, broken by life and plagued by grief.

At the heart of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, these personal issues of rare dramatic magnitude will resonate in quite unprecedented ways among fans of the MCU.

COMBAT SCENES HIGH TO THE RANK OF ART (MARTIAL)

If there is one area in which the Marvel Cinematic Universe has imposed itself since the release of Iron Man in 2008, it is action. Stunts, chases, explosions: here are 24 films that the public vibrates in front of the adventures of the heroes of the studio.

But with this 25th feature film, Marvel Studio is writing a new page in its book by revealing breathtaking fight scenes. Supported by fight choreographer Andy Cheng, known in particular for being Jackie Chan’s last understudy (just that!), The Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings team offers combat sequences of rare beauty.

From an epic scene in a bus to top duels between Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) and his father Wenwu (Tony Leung Chiu-wai) to the remarkable lessons promulgated by Jiang Nan (Michelle Yeoh): different styles of martial arts unfold in front of us such as kung fu, tai chi or wing chun… and we are amazed!

Martial arts present until the very end of the film, since the latter’s credits pay a nice tribute to Brad Allen, leader of Jackie Chan’s stunt team, who died on August 7.

ASIAN AESTHETICS

The very first Marvel film with a hero of Asian origin, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, therefore marks in itself a revival in the history of the studios. Thus, this second film of phase 4 skillfully alternates scenes spoken in Mandarin with those spoken in English, and is bathed in a whole new aesthetic.

We are propelled on the top of a tower in Macao, or in the heart of a wonderful luxuriant village between forest and waterfalls, to meet armies. On set, these were overseen by experts from around the world including elite riders and archers from Mongolia and movement artists and parkour experts from the United States, Australia and Canada.

In addition to the famous ten rings, we discover weapons such as large fighting sticks called bō, bows and arrows, blades such as Tiger hooks, or long ropes equipped at the ends of a metal dart and called rope dart.

As for the Shang-Shi costume, it was quite simply created from the belly of a dragon, to symbolize the hero’s mutation. “It was very moving to try it for the first time. I understood the gravity and the weight of all it represents, I realized how rare it is to experience a feeling like this”, Explains Simu Liu.

A NEW FANTASTIC UNIVERSE

If Doctor Strange had known how to do in the unprecedented with its mysticism and its alternative dimensions, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings also marks a real turning point, this time thanks to new fantastic codes.

Still drawing inspiration from the Asian universe, the film relies on extraordinary creatures such as dragons or marvelous tigers (to name a few) and is based on a magic linked to souls, spirit and to nature. Those who thought they had seen everything in 24 films are therefore not at the end of their surprises!

A soundtrack that creates the event

Who says new Marvel movie necessarily means eagerly awaited release. But the least we can say is that the studios have managed to accentuate the event with teasers up to expectations, punctuated by a soundtrack that has something to satisfy all ears.

And for good reason, it is to DJ Snake that was entrusted the creation of Run It, the flagship title of the film’s soundtrack. To give birth to this track combining rap and electro with epic sounds specific to the MCU, the famous French DJ has surrounded himself with the sizes of Rick Ross and Rich Brian.

The main theme was created by Jackson Wang, rapper and singer member of the South Korean boy band Got7, who signs here a music brilliantly mixing hip hop with Asian sounds. Without forgetting the K-Pop present throughout the film, including a piece signed Mark Tuan from Got7 with a featuring of the Bibi revelation.

Whether it is for its dramatic core or its endearing characters, its well-balanced humor, its remarkable action and its high-level combat, for its new photography as for its music: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings stands out as the sign of a new era for the MCU. Renewal in all directions, to discover from this September 1st at the cinema!