Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 4K + 3D Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 4K + 3D Blu-ray Movie Review

Marvel fans rejoice: an outstanding 3D presentation.

Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) is a kung-fu master working a day-job as a valet alongside his best friend, the humorous and charming Katy (Awkwafina). The pair find themselves in an unexpected tangle when confronted by the Ten Rings. As kung-fu action unfolds, Shang-Chi proves he is a master fighter.

A journey to return to his past roots – including a reunion with his father, Xu Wenwu (Tony Chiu-Wai Leung), Shang-Chi sets out on a new mission with unexpected adventure as the Ten Rings face-up against him, Katy, and other allies. Can Shang-Chi save the world? The journey is only beginning.

Awkwafina is the star of the show – a scene-stealer with a great sense of comedic timing throughout the film. Though Simu Liu is good in the leading role, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings showcases the clear star power of Awkwafina more-so than any of the other performers. Awkwafina made Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings  a total delight.

The cinematography by Bill Pope (The Matrix, Spider-Man 2) is outstanding. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is one of the best looking Marvel features. The cinematography is multifaceted: this is a stunning achievement. Pope showcases the visual splendor of the production design by Sue Chan ( Punch-Drunk Love, Gone Girl) and Clint Wallace (Black Widow,  Top Gun: Maverick ).

The stage is set for an epic journey in 3D.

The music composed by Joel P West (Just Mercy, The Glass Castle) is entertaining and engaging. The action-packed score fits the kung-fu theatrics well. The dramatic moments are given adequate depth throughout the story.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (Short Term 12, The Glass Castle), Shang- Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is an enormously entertaining Marvel film. The screenplay was penned by Destin Daniel Cretton alongside co-screenwriters Dave Callaham (Wonder Woman 1984, America: The Motion Picture) and Andrew Lanham (Just Mercy, The Kid). Cretton is a gifted filmmaker with a keen understanding of storytelling and filmmaking.

While Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is significantly different compared to something like Cretton's masterpiece Short Term 12, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has enormous fun in exploring the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Action-packed adventure unfolds that is undeniably entertaining. Marvel enthusiasts won't want to miss out on this remarkable gem.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 4K + 3D Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on 3D Blu-ray from Disney, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 MVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1 widescreen. The release offers fans of the film an impressive 3D presentation. The 3D enhances the style of the visuals and helps the storytelling to be even more immersive.

The 3D effect is well utilized throughout the entire presentation. The epic battle scenes are much more engaging with 3D. The effects have considerable "pop" and depth. The colorful and engaging martial arts sequences are some of the best looking sequences: the lush greens are even more stunning with added depth. The final battle in the film is also terrific looking (with the showdown being a great showstopper for the use of 3D).

The dramatic scenes are a little less immersive looking in 3D (with these scenes emphasizing depth) but fans won't find it a major qualm. The entire presentation manages to maintain a consistently pleasing aesthetic that benefits from the 3D experience. Having seen the film in IMAX and 3D, viewing it in 3D is easily superior (with Shang-Chi having a superb 3D conversion).

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 4K + 3D Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround sound. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a bit different from most Marvel feature productions in that the audio track has both English and Mandarin audio. Some scenes are entirely in English while others are in Mandarin (as Shangi-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was developed with Chinese audiences in mind).

The 3D Blu-ray from Japan has an annoying quirk I have not seen on any of the other Marvel feature-film releases. The release doesn't include an optional "English subtitles" track that is exclusively for the Mandarin dialogue. The release does provide excellent English subtitles but one will have to settle for either toggling the subtitles on/off during these scenes or leaving them on for the entire viewing.

The subtitles problem might seem like a minor annoyance to some viewers but the issue could have been easily rectified by Disney providing an additional subtitle track on the 3D disc. I hope Disney Japan doesn't run in to this problem again with any future releases and considers every need of international purchasers. For what it is worth, the majority of the Mandarin dialogue scenes are in the first twenty minutes of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, without the need to toggle subtitles during the opening act. It is only a few brief exchanges later in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings that would require toggling the subtitles on/off.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround sound presentation is engaging and immersive sounding. The track has outstanding depth throughout the entire presentation. The LFE is well utilized on the release. The surrounds are actively engaged and there is a lot to appreciate about the sound-design: the track has impressive detail and sound-effects are utilized in creative ways during the many exciting fight scenes. The music score is also well integrated in to the experience.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 4K + 3D Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release includes a 4K UHD + 3D Blu-ray + Standard Blu-ray. The combo pack includes all of the supplemental materials found on the standard- edition (available on the standard Blu-ray disc as provided in the combo pack). There are no bonus features included on the 3D disc so the video/audio presentation can have a higher bit-rate presentation. For additional information on the extras, please refer to the review of the standard edition.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 4K + 3D Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is an entertaining thrill ride from beginning to end. One of the best Marvel adventures, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a must-see in 3D. The film looks amazing in the format and there are many showstopping sequences which are a lot more fun to see in 3D. The release has an outstanding 3D presentation. The only nitpick about the release is a somewhat disappointing subtitles option (with English speakers needing to choose to leave subtitles on for the entire film presentation or to toggle the subtitles on/off during the Mandarin audio scenes). Even despite some reservations about the subtitles track, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings nonetheless earns a strong recommendation for 3D enthusiasts.