Shang-Chi shows unique take on Chinese culture and mythology

Posted Oct. 6, 2021

By Elizabeth Philbrick

Staff Editor

Marvel Cinematic Universe’s 25th installment, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was released on Sept. 3 and is the first superhero movie with an Asian American lead.

In the Avengers: Endgame aftermath, we’re introduced and reintroduced to superheroes, including Shang-Chi Xu. A martial-arts master who confronts the past he thought he left behind when he’s drawn into the mysterious world of the Ten Rings organization.

The movie stayed on top at the box office, collecting $35.8 million in ticket sales on its second weekend. That total was good enough for the best second-weekend gross of any film during the pandemic, edging out the previous Marvel movie, Black Widow.

The whole movie shows the viewers absolutely beautiful scenes, from Wenwu’s and Ying Li’s fight scene to Shang-chi entering Ta Lo. This movie shows us their unique take on Chinese culture and mythology. Although it’s very action-packed, Marvel still preserves the comedic sense that they include in their movies.

And the fighting choreography was extremely well executed and choreographed. Taking the bus scene, which was partly shown in the trailer, the viewers can see Shang-Chi’s abilities as a martial artist for the first time.

As I watched this movie, I was amazed by the story and all of the scenes portraying it. Each character had a very important role in the movie and I honestly think it would feel like something was missing if they weren’t there. Once again, Marvel doesn’t disappoint.

The day before the movie, Sept. 2, an exclusive album was also released, including artists such as Swae Lee, Anderson .Paak, Saweetie, Mark Tuan, 21 Savage, and others. Diamonds + And Pearls, the second song on the album by DPR LIVE and DPR IAN and peace, gives a Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds vibe.

“The music on this album is the beating heart of our film. As we were editing Shang-Chi, we were constantly inspired by the early recordings coming in from these incredible musicians. We knew we wanted it to stand alone as a piece of work, but also be wrapped in the themes of our movie… themes of family, legacy, pain, and healing. We also just wanted to make a really great album that gives us all another reason to celebrate,” director Destin Daniel Cretton said in a statement.