"Shang-Chi" introduced the title character, played by the handsome Simu Liu, as the son of an immortal gangster named Xu Wenwu (Tony Leung). Xu gained immortality with ten magical bracelets that he wore up and down his arms and that he could control with his mind. Shang-Chi was trained in martial arts as a boy and was expected to be an assassin for Xu, but Shang-Chi left the family business due to moral objections and became a valet in San Francisco. Shang-Chi's story is slowly revealed to his best friend Kathy (Awkwafina) after they encounter high-octane super soldiers on the street one morning.

What follows is a complex Marvel adventure involving a magical bamboo forest, slayer dragons, a bitter sister, a hidden kingdom and a portal to hell. Michelle Yeoh has a small role and Ben Kinsley returns, reprising his role as Trevor from Iron Man 3.

Shang-Chi was well-reviewed, with a 92% approval rating based on 344 reviews. No one listed him on their best of the year lists, but almost everyone gave him a pass. Moreso, many people logged on to Rotten Tomatoes to give it a positive rating, giving it a score of 98% from the audience, now called the Popcornmeter. Over 10,000 people gave the thumbs up. However, one might want to take that number with a grain of salt; one does not have to watch the movie to give it a positive or negative score on Popcornmeter. Indeed, certain films tend to get review-bombarded by extreme online "fans" who simply want to move the needle on films they object to, sight unseen.

But still, 98% is impressive, even with the salt.

In terms of its critical rating, "Shang-Chi" is the ninth highest rated of the MCU, listed behind "Thor: Ragnarok" (93), "Spider-Man: No Way Home" (93), "The Guardians". Galaxy Holiday Special" (94%), "Avengers: Endgame" (94%), "Iron Man" (94%), "Agents of SHIELD" (95%), "Black Panther" (96%), and Ms. Marvel (98%).