The MCU is back on the big screen. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has finally arrived in theaters. This is only the second movie in Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to be released theatrically. But this is the first entry in the latest chapter of the MCU saga that introduces us to a brand new here. That of the titular Shang-Chi, played by Simu LIu.
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (Just Mercy, Short Term 12), the movie had originally been scheduled to come out much sooner. However, due to the pandemic, it was pushed back several times. But the wait is finally over and fans can now head to a theater to check out the martial arts-infused comic book movie action.
Aside from introducing us to a brand new superhero, this movie will explore the Ten Rings organization. The group was first mentioned in the first Iron Man back in 2008. So this has been a long time coming. Plus, we’re finally going to get to meet the real Mandarin. Not the fake one that ended up being a huge part of Iron Man 3.
Here is the synopsis for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
“Marvel Studios’ ‘Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings’ stars Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, who must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization.”
Unlike Black Widow, Shan-Chi is playing exclusively in theaters. Despite current uncertainty looming at the box office, Disney opted to go all-in with a 45-day exclusive theatrical window for this one. Black Widow, on the other hand, was released in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access the same day. The decision drew skepticism and controversy. Scarlett Johansson is currently in the midst of a ungly lawsuit with Disney over the whole thing.
The cast also includes Tony Leung as Wenwu, Awkwafina as Shang-Chi’s friend Katy and Michelle Yeoh as Jiang Nan, as well as Fala Chen, Meng’er Zhang, Florian Munteanu and Ronny Chieng.
Critics have been quite kind to Shang-Chi so far. As of this writing, the movie holds a 92 percent critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. What’s more, it holds a stellar 99 percent audience rating. While those numbers will surely fluctuate, that is one heck of a start.
Guys it’s the moment you’ve all been eagerly anticipating for years… the culmination of SO much hard work. Today, this September 3rd, history is finally made. Today, I can finally say…
…that Certified Lover Boy is out on Apple Music and Spotify.
— Simu Liu (刘思慕) (@SimuLiu) September 3, 2021
Liu, taking to Twitter, decided to commemorate the release. Though he did so in a tongue-in-cheek way by celebrating the release of Drake’s new album.
“Guys it’s the moment you’ve all been eagerly anticipating for years… the culmination of SO much hard work. Today, this September 3rd, history is finally made. Today, I can finally say… that Certified Lover Boy is out on Apple Music and Spotify,” Liu joked on Twitter.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is in theaters now.
What do you think? Are you excited about Shang-Chi joining the MCU? Are you seeing the movie in theaters this weekend? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!
