This week, Marvel Studios released its first Asian-leading superhero movie, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings starring Simu Liu, Awkafina, and Michelle Yeoh. Since its premiere two weeks ago, Shang-Chi has and the Legend of the Ten Rings has instantly become one of the franchise’s heavy hitters.
When the film was first premiered, it received a Rotten Tomato score of 92%. Commonly on Rotton Tomatoes, a film will receive its highest score first and it will slowly be brought down as more reviews on the film are released. This is likely due to more “enthusiastic” press members encouraging less critical audiences to see the film.
Unlike the vast majority of films, Shang-Chi’s Rotten Tomatoes score has not budged, despite the 150 new reviews written about it. The film has been out for less than a month and has already taken fifth place on the highest Marvel movies on Rotten Tomatoes – tying with Spider-Man: Homecoming and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1.
The film follows Shang-Chi, or Shaun as he is originally introduced, working as a valet driver and attempting to reinvent himself in America. Whereas most superhero films portray the hero fighting against an external conflict, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the ten Rings shows a character struggling with both his cultural identity and his familial ties while he’s trying to save the world.
The titular actor, Simu Liu discussed the importance of this role earlier this month stating:
“It’s so rare that… people that look like me are thrust into those positions and I think it’s tremendously empowering”.
Liu went on the open up about the duality he created with his character:
“I’m somebody who feels caught between two worlds a lot of the time”.
This discussion of identity plays a huge role in the relationships and use of language throughout the film. Having a cast the is almost entirely bilingual, director Destin Daniel Cretton left it up to the actors to decide what language “made sense for the scene”, whether it be English or Chinese.
Overall, the film tackles sensitive topics regarding cultural identity and Asian representation in a light-hearted way that makes Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Marvel Studios’ latest masterpiece.
