The Pot-Noodle of the Wuxia Genre

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is to real wuxia cinema what a pot noodle is to authentic Chinese cuisine. Just like a pot noodle, it’s flashy, quick to prepare, and loaded with artificial flavor, but ultimately it’s a shallow, watered-down imitation of the real thing. It might satisfy a quick craving for action, but lacks the depth, richness, and artistry that make the great wuxia films so memorable. And much like the disappointing aftertaste of a pot noodle, Shang-Chi leaves you unsatisfied, wishing for something far more substantial.

As a huge fan of homegrown wuxia films, I came into Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings with high expectations. Movies like Hero, House of Flying Daggers, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon have long been some of my favorites, and I’ve always appreciated the poetic, graceful choreography and the way these films blend martial arts with themes of honor, family, and destiny. On top of that, I’m a lifelong admirer of martial arts films in general – from Enter the Dragon and IP Man to the more comedic but equally captivating Kung Fu Hustle and Big Trouble in Little China. So, naturally, I was excited to see Marvel’s take on the genre, given their track record of crowd-pleasing action movies and the rich tradition of martial arts films they could draw upon.

What Shang-Chi Gets Right

Let’s start with the positives. The martial arts fight scenes in Shang-Chi are well-choreographed and staged. The influences of wuxia are evident, especially in the film’s opening fight between Wenwu and Li, which evokes the same elegance and fluidity that I love about the genre. The action sequences are some of the most visually compelling in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), particularly the bus fight and the skyscraper sequence, which stand out for their creativity and intensity. The addition of Chinese mythical fantasy elements is also an interesting departure from the more traditional western superhero stories we’ve come to expect from Marvel. The film’s visuals are stunning, and it looks like a lot of thought went into making the fantastical world of Shang-Chi feel vibrant and immersive.

The Problem with Everything Else

However, once the fight scenes are over, the film begins to falter. For all the care taken in crafting the action, the scenes in between are painfully dull and often cringeworthy. The attempts at humor in particular fall flat. Not a single joke or visual gag landed for me, and the screenplay’s efforts to inject levity into the story felt forced and awkward. Awkwafina’s character, Katy, was especially hard to watch. She was clearly committed to her role, but the script gave her nothing to work with, resulting in failed attempts at humor that only made me feel sorry for her.

Simu Liu, as Shang-Chi, is fine. He certainly looks the part and handles the fight scenes well, but as a leading man, his performance felt flat. His character arc didn’t pull me in, and I never found myself truly invested in his journey. The rest of the non-English-speaking cast, unfortunately, fared worse. Their performances ranged from stiff to downright bad, and I found myself losing interest every time the film tried to build emotional weight between the characters.

A Convoluted, Boring Plot

To make matters worse, the story itself is a convoluted mess. Marvel has a knack for blending superhero tropes with personal journeys and larger-than-life stakes, but here, the plot felt unnecessarily complex and confusing. Worse still, it was boring. There’s nothing more frustrating than a film that feels like it’s going through the motions, and Shang-Chi’s middle act, in particular, dragged to the point where I actually fell asleep during one of its attempts at character development. I’ve seen this type of story done before and done better. Films like Big Trouble in Little China and Kung Fu Hustle managed to blend action, comedy, and cultural elements in a way that felt authentic and engaging, without resorting to stereotypes or crass humor. Sadly, Shang-Chi feels like it missed an opportunity to tap into the richness of its wuxia inspirations.

Final Thoughts

It’s hard to reconcile the praise this film has received with the experience I had watching it. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings may have visually impressive action scenes and a unique spin on the superhero genre by incorporating Chinese myth and martial arts, but outside of those highlights, it is a lackluster film. The humor doesn’t land, the plot is convoluted, and I was never truly invested in the characters. Despite its positive reception, I can’t help but feel like I watched a different movie from everyone else. For me, Shang-Chi is one of Marvel’s weakest installments and a missed opportunity to deliver a truly compelling martial arts epic.