The review embargo for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has lifted, and that means we now have a much better idea of what to expect from the next Marvel Studios movie. Unsurprisingly, those first social media reactions were glowing, but we've learned better than to put too much stock in them!
However, it appears they were actually pretty spot on, because the first wave of reviews are also very positive. As per usual, though, not everyone loved the movie, and that includes the trades. The Hollywood Reporter delivers a lot of praise, but notes that "As magnetic as [Simu] Liu is in action, he struggles in quieter moments with a script that gives the character more backstory than personality." They later add that, "It doesn’t always succeed with flying colors. But as with a young hero still finding his footing, its valiant efforts feel worth cheering all the same."
Variety, meanwhile, hints at more of the same from Marvel Studios (in at least some respects). "Like virtually every stand-alone MCU movie to come before, Shang-Chi does a fine job of presenting its hero as a relatable everyman during the first half before spiraling off into bombastic, brain-numbing supernatural mayhem for the final act."
In terms of the entertainment sites, IGN goes with 8/10 and concludes that, "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a confident introduction to Marvel’s first Asian superhero, delivering the MCU’s best fight choreography and one of its most emotionally complex villains."
Empire was similarly impressed, and a 4/5 verdict concludes with, "Featuring funny and endearing moments amid beautifully choreographed action sequences, Shang-Chi excels as a story about family and how it can be twisted by grief. Simu Liu, Awkwafina, and Tony Leung bring multi-faceted characters to life and, despite pacing issues, it delivers a hugely entertaining step in the right direction for Asian representation." Screen Rant goes with the same score, calling Shang-Chi "a thrilling watch on the big screen."
Our friends over at The Illuminerdi haven't scored the movie, but promise that "The film is layered and captivating with mesmerizing visuals and riveting fight scenes, but the heart of it is the characters and the relationships." io9 says the title character is "a necessary and worthy addition to the pantheon and Hollywood as a whole," but are understandably disappointed that the badass female characters in the movie "exist to support a man’s journey."
Even the (usually) anti-superhero lot at IndieWire were impressed, awarding Shang-Chi a "B" and exclaiming that the movie "doesn’t just boast the best action of the MCU, it manages to do it with two (two!) eye-popping action sequences that unspool before the film’s first act is over."
CBM's own Rohan Patel also loved the second Phase 4 release, stating "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a genuine triumph for Marvel Studios, a true family drama with plenty of charm and a myriad of winning performances!"
Keep checking back here for more on this one as we get closer to September 3!