Marvel’s latest success, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, has received an abundant amount of praise regarding the cinematography and its cultural significance as this is Marvel’s first Asian-led superhero movie.

This movie follows Shang-Chi, portrayed by Simu Liu, who teams up with his sister (Meng’er Zhang) and his best friend Katy (Awkwafina) to take down his father. Wenwu, his father, has been “hearing” his wife and believes her to be alive; however, this is the Dweller in Darkness talking to him through the Ten Rings. Wenwu’s plan requires the destruction of the Dark Gate which is in Ta Lo, a multiverse dimension the wife grew up in. The three of them come to defend its grounds along with the residents and Shang-Chi’s aunt, Jiang Nan. 

The action sequences, intriguing storyline, and outstanding acting has been loved and viewed by millions. Although, the major factor in this movie has to do with the all Asian cast and the representation it brings.

Marvel has created numerous blockbuster hits throughout the years; however, it lacks diversity with solely white-led movies. Marvel’s Black Panther broke this precedent by being the first Marvel movie with a black lead character.

The eternal fight for representation in Hollywood for people of color has been a long and tired one, leaving many to feel hopeless and forgotten. It might seem like a peripheral issue to people, but the Asian community has been deprived of any type of depiction. The marginalization and stereotype of Asians has been shown in films and tv shows for decades, and it influences racist behavior and thoughts. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings breaks all stereotypes. Shang-Chi is a powerful character with a hero’s heart and heaps of wisdom, and in Marvel’s long line of superheroes, it’s great to see more diversity. 

The plot of this movie is truly remarkable and precise. The movie starts with Shang-Chi’s normal life he has in San Francisco, CA with Katy by his side since he moved there.

His life comes to a halt when he is attacked by one of his father’s agents on the bus, and he and Katy travel to China to confront the father. He takes the postcard his sister sent him and tries to find her. It is revealed she never sent his postcard, and it was all a set-up by their father.

Wenwu reveals the plan to ambush Ta Lo to the trio, and they immediately shut him down as this would cause chaos. He locks them up, and in the dungeons, they meet a prisoner named Trevor Slattery who has befriended a creature from Ta Lo. He is the only one able to speak to this strange animal, and they hatch an escape plan to Ta Lo.

Once they get through the traps, Jiang Nan welcomes them and teaches them about their world. The three of them all take up a new skill taught by the people of Ta Lo in preparation for the battle.

When his father and his agents arrive, everyone is ready to take him down. Shang-Chi and Wenwu have a one-on-one battle where it seems Wenwu won by throwing him into the water. However, he comes up better than ever with a dragon while his father is beating the Dark Gate. Unfortunately, the Dark Gate does open, exposing evil beings that are obliterating everything. Luckily, the three of them stop the creatures and save Ta Lo. 

Overall, this movie is phenomenal. It’s everything you want in a Marvel movie, hilarious and thrilling. It’s definitely in my top three favorite Marvel movies. Phase Four of Marvel is going to be fantastic, and it seems the next generation of movies is providing the inclusivity the world needs.