Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings might be one of the most criminally underrated movies in the MCU’s catalog. Its sequel has been mired in development hell and swallowed up by Marvel’s shifting priorities, but the studio’s take on a superpowered martial arts film is still quietly one of the studio’s most impressive outings. Shang-Chi starts with mostly practical, well-choreographed action set pieces, all framed in a dramatic family soap opera that maintains its grounded humanity even as the otherworldly elements ramp up in the second half. By the time it turned into Marvel CG sludge, I was already too invested to be annoyed at the film’s distinct voice falling victim to the same nonsense plenty of other Marvel movies do. And can we also talk about that soundtrack? I know Black Panther gets a lot of love for its Kendrick Lamar-curated music, but Shang-Chi’s is also full of bangers. Good film. Gimme a sequel, Marvel. — Kenneth Shepard