INHALT: Seine Fähigkeiten erlangte Shang-Chi nur durch hartes Training, welches sein mächtiger Vater, Wenwu alias der Mandarin (Tony Leung), schon in Kindheitstagen anordnete. Als Teenager wandte er sich jedoch von seinem Vater und seiner kriminellen Organisation Ten Rings ab und lebte verdeckt in den USA. Jahre später genießt er ein unbeschwertes Leben, arbeitet im gleichen Job wie seine beste Freundin Katy (Awkwafina) und hält vor ihr seine Vergangenheit geheim. Als die Kriminellen der Ten Rings jedoch sein friedliches Dasein stören, werden die Dämonen der Vergangenheit erneut herauf beschworen. Der einzige Hinweis aus der Vergangenheit führt ihn nach China, wo seine entfremdete Schwester Xialing (Meng’er Zhang) auf eigene Weise mit den Taten ihres Vaters abgeschlossen hat. KINOSTART: 02. September 2021.

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FILMBEWERTUNG (englisch): A pleasant surprise:

They did get a few things right this time around, a surprise but a welcome one. Basically it was a movie that was pretty well done, there were some exposition problems in the beginning that were glaringly obvious and the story got heavily bogged down by flash back sequences but this is actually about the only thing I really had a problem with.

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Everything else was full of pleasant surprises.

One thing upfront:

• Do not watch the trailer, seriously. I watched it after watching the movie – like many times: The movie is better by the factor of at least 3x if you go into it with no idea and an open mind. Listen to their mood track instead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN3bL-l94fI which is telling you what you need to know but doesn’t spoiler anything.

That being said if you generally like Marvel movies it is a must watch. Easily one of the best films which are coming out just behind Edgar Wrights and Denis Villeneuve’s new films.

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Story: The Story took me a little by surprise because it was so tightly interlinked with a very personal story of a man who gives up a life of eternity for a women and their children … and then drama happens with all its search for meaning and themes of family. I have to admit I am not someone who avidly watches every Marvel Movie especially not since Phase 4. But this one reminded me of what Marvel is usually good at. There were some genuinely funny moments and lines which landed the way the usually Marvel line does. Still gotta figure out their secret! That being said I was not able to see any glaring plot holes but I admit that I got swept away quite soon shortly before the midpoint so I stopped caring. Just generally on the writing: I felt it was heavy handed and lacked for example symbols or straight forward motives which were not expressed through words. The Plot usually did comparatively little to define the characters and the Storyworld was kinda cool but nothing unheard of which made it all feel a little Cliche in that regard. But to be fair with a few exceptions that has always been the standard Marvel has worked on and should not come as a surprise to anyone.

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Politics, unfortunately fortunately:

I knew that the movie would be a China America crossover. That combined with the fact that Disney was the one producing made me fear the worst: That the movie would get down on its knees and sing praise to its No. 1 market. But they kinda didn’t – they just told the story and that’s all. In, out, done.

I love that because that is the best thing for everyone involved including companies, filmmakers and moviegoers.

What I also love is how this time around they handled their never ending female empowerment theme that seems to be a prerequisite for anything out of the house of Disney these days. Instead of complaining, alienating or condemning men, distorting reality they simply worked in a sort of equality of opportunity within the roles they were giving out. It felt more like a Cast from „Avatar – The last Airbender“ than a superhero movie with a few „Charlie’s Angles (2019)“ characters and therefore more a diplomatic than a radical approach to the topic that I am very happy to witness. No preaching, no whining, no malice intended – just diplomatic implementation.

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Execution:

I’d say: All things considered well done. Those who expect bloody choreographies like in the raid and oldboy or unique cinematography will be a little disappointed because they find themselves in Marvel Land where all the choreos and cinematography is technically well done but feels … well. Like a Marvel movie, you know? No blood, people dying without you really noticing that somebody experienced any pain but apart from that a good execution both in choreography as well as tech.

The actors as far as I am concerned all did a solid job. Not that I would completely cry myself under the next seat but also no rotten apples or anything that took me out of the experience. Just solid craftsmanship where ever you look. For me they all kinda hit the same level with their performances – although Ben Kingsley really killed it – but I was also aided by some very well written lines.

Concerning VFX: The creatures sometimes felt like there was time saved on them a bit but apart from that all of it held up very well in my personal opinion and again conformed to the usual Marvel standard. Nothing through me of and quite the contrary some awesome stuff was done with it which I do not want to spoil.

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Summary:

All things considered – if you enjoy Marvel movies generally speaking, go watch it.

It will not be the masterpiece the world has been waiting for since the dawn of film but it is certainly entertaining and if you let it, it will take you by the hand and let you forget for two hours whatever troubles you might be facing.

In that sense: Well done Cast and Crew! You guys can be proud!

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Kinostart: 02. September 2021. Weitere Informationen zum Film unter: