Side characters are usually just there to be a small comedic relief, and do not have a huge role in the movie. They could be a random valet worker, or a waiter at a restaurant. Usually, they show up only to never be seen again. However, this time Marvel set the bar high with their newly released movie, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.”

Marvel released their 25th movie, the second in phase 4, on Sept. 3, 2021. “Shang-Chi” gained 431.7 million dollars at the box office within its first week. It also surpassed Marvel’s other film, Black Widow’s, gross by about three million dollars. 

Simu Liu and Awkwafina make their debut into the Marvel Cinematic universe with their well crafted characters Shang-Chi and Katy. Shang-Chi and Katy have been friends for 15 years, and have done everything together from being valet workers to fighting off evil, century old legendary deities. Shang-Chi’s sister Xialing, played by Meng’er Zhang, also makes a brilliant appearance in helping to fight off the deities and their own father. 

While Katy is a side character, she was not one to be obnoxious. Her perfectly timed jokes and appearances made me laugh at the unexpectedness of it all. Awkwafina’s amazing acting really changed the movie industry’s way of having a side character. She was not the main character, but she might as well have been. Overall, she was the one who made me want to come back and rewatch it over and over. 

  The general feeling of “Shang-Chi” was new and refreshing. It was not what I would consider a “traditional” Marvel movie. There was the action of a “traditional” movie, but there was also a cultural aspect that Marvel touched upon. They brought in Chinese and Mandarin myths and legends to create an invigorating atmosphere.

Undoubtedly Marvel has always created great movies, but this one takes the top spot. With their new phase, and witty side characters, “Shang-Chi” is only the beginning to an exciting future in the film industry.