Just saw it and really enjoyed but I must say it wasn't what I was expecting. Still processing my full thoughts and feelings but my gut reaction was that it was almost too lore heavy?
It really felt like they wanted to recreate Black Panther with Shang-Chi, with that feeling of like "Here's another realm full of important cultural imagery and magic and power" and at a certain point in the film, I felt like that became more important than Shang-Chi's own character?
Not that I didn't enjoy any of that stuff, more than I felt like I got lost in that adventure when I was still ultimately wanting to spend a bit more time with Shang Chi in a grounded world before things went all mystical.
That said, when the emotional bits hit, they hit hard and that's ultimately what steered me back towards him as a character. Definitely want to watch it again!
Also I think this is maybe one film where I would have gladly seen Marvel avoid the funny side kick trope. I think without Awkwafina's character, there could've been more time with the two siblings getting to know each other. I would've loved to see them have some better scenes together, and let the repairing of that relationship feel a tad stronger.
But overall, a fun and ambitious movie and had a great time. Very very curious to see what role the presence of the Ten Rings will play in the stories to come. (Both the organisation and the relics/weapons)
