" Shangqi " not only has a high box office, but also has more than 90% of the two word-of-mouth ratings on the Internet. It is worth mentioning that this new work does not have synchronized streaming media, and this also means that since the epidemic, "Shang Qi" can be described as a life-saving straw for traditional theaters.
But high scores go to high scores. The controversial issues of the film will not stop there because of its good performance. On the contrary, it may make the problem more and more difficult to distinguish.
Before the movie was released, domestic netizens had always complained about the RH in "Shangqi" because the protagonist was ugly and had Western stereotypes, and played by Tony Leung The villain is also an RH character.
After the movie was released, foreign netizens complained about . Disney was obviously to please China, because more than one-third of the lines in the movie are in Chinese, which is for most people who have not learned much Chinese. For foreigners, it is too uncomfortable to force them to read the subtitles to understand the content.
Therefore, "Shangqi" has caused a kind of embarrassment for netizens at home and abroad that "the inside and outside are not people", and if you use a physics term to describe it, it is : Schrodinger RH.
Many netizens from the media or who have seen it have done various analyses on the problems of the film itself, trying to thoroughly find out whether the film has RH.
Although there are many controversial points, in the final analysis, the root of the problem lies in the sensitive topics involved in the original comics.
01. The background of the mystery of Shangqi
The birth of Shangqi is naturally inseparable from the influence of Bruce Lee, and his ability is set as a master of kung fu.
There is no doubt that the appearance of Bruce Lee in Hollywood at the time set off a wave of Chinese Kung Fu craze, and at the same time broke the American stereotypes of the Chinese.
It is worth mentioning that Shangqi debuted in Marvel World in 1973, which happened to be the year Bruce Lee died.
Bruce Lee’s achievements are remarkable, but some Westerners’ prejudice against the Chinese has not been eliminated, especially the previous “FMZ” image is even more lingering.
When the two cultural images of right and wrong collided, it created Shangqi and his controversial life experience. (It is mainly related to the limited knowledge of the creators of China at the time)
At the beginning,FMZ is indeed set as the biological father of Shangqi, and Shangqi has become a mixed-race Chinese with white descent. The beginning of the hero's story is also started when he escapes the control of his evil father.
However, when the copyright expired later, Shangqi’s identity as the biological father was also modified, and finally the person’s name was named "Zheng Zu", while the previous "FMZ" was set to Yuan with a code name. return.
There is no doubt that there are many Westerners discriminating and misunderstanding against us in the early Shangqi comics. The protagonist is of white descent and has to sell his life for the white person before turning to his own father. Put it today that is the proper RH.
By the 21st century, the pattern of the East and the West has undergone tremendous changes. The international status of the Chinese is getting higher and higher, and the Chinese market has become an important lifeline of the world market economy.
At the same time, Marvel has opened its own "movie universe" era, making a lot of money in the global film market, especially in China.
As a businessman Kevin Fitch is naturally well aware that some things that involve the bottom line are best not to be touched, and this is also the "Shangqi" movie set It must be one of the reasons for the substantial revision.
Of course, many Marvel characters in movies have also undergone many changes and modifications.It's not just an uproar.
For example, the blood of Shangqi became a native Chinese, and because he resented his father, he ran away from home and went to the United States alone to start a new life.
's father has also completely turned into a new original character in the movie "Wenwu", this point has also been clarified by Kevin Fitch himself, indicating that the "FMZ" setting that everyone is suspicious of has been completely cleared. .
At the beginning, this character was Iron Man’s mortal enemy "Man of Man". Although he and FMZ are two separate characters, they all wear a pair of pants. Yes, but this change also clearly shows that Marvel is protecting from lightning, and even the ten rings used as weapons have become ten bracelets.
At this point, the character of the movie version has been officially established, which is far from the original comic version. The RH problem is actually non-existent.
In other words, compared to this elusive RH, the current film and performance and casting issues are the areas that deserve more attention.
02. Cultural differences
Although there are constant criticisms, the good reputation of the movie "Shangqi" is a fact that you cannot deny.As a Marvel movie with martial arts as the core element, the action scenes in the film are also quite amazing.
In order to faithfully restore the characteristics of kung fu movies, the film also specially invited Bradley Allen, the first foreign member of the family class, to be the martial arts instructor.
Then the film incorporates the unique artistic conception and art effects of martial arts films in special effects, giving this Marvel universe, which has always been full of magic and sci-fi, a fantasy color of the oriental world. For example, Tony Leung in the picture below Scenarios with -Chan Farah 's tricks.
There is one thing to say, Tony Leung’s performance in the film is still so impeccable, the villain’s civil and martial arts have become flesh and blood, emotionally rich, and three-dimensional character creation in Marvel. There are not many villains, in addition to civil and military, also Loki and Thanos .
The charismatic villain is naturally very popular. In addition, Wei Zai, who is still loved by everyone, is starring. He is handsome, powerful and human, so that the audience complains about "This old man is so handsome," Why does his son grow so frustrated?"
This point indeed hits the biggest slot of "Shangqi" ---- is also the protagonist. Not pretty.
Whether it's the male protagonist Shangqi, or the heroine Xia Ling and Katie, the beauty is really hard to describe.
In the comment section of the film review website, many netizens have also made a lot of more pertinent comments on the male and female subjects, but they have not praised them. In terms of appearance, Tony Leung and the special effects of the film are not too much praise. (Isn't this nonsense?)
This is a very embarrassing place, because Marvel's casting really makes everyone not want to comment too much. It is better to pay more attention to other content.
, as the protagonist at the core of the film's story, did not become the focus of discussion among the audience (in fact, some viewers said that the heroine's funny ability is good), which shows how unfavorable everyone is , But they don't have RH, and they can't blame the actors directly, so they have to ignore them as much as possible.
Speaking of the casting of the Chinese protagonist, it is indeed a point of controversy. At present, there are two different opinions on the Internet. One is that Westerners intend to vilify our image, and the other is Western aesthetics. In my opinion, Asian talents with this kind of face look good.
indeed,There have always been huge cultural differences between East and West, including human aesthetics and concepts, but it is clear that Marvel has not really investigated what beauty in our eyes is.
But on the international stage, the hostile attitude of the Westerners towards us is also evident. The arrogance of the Angsa is carved into the bones. Under such an atmosphere, how much can the local people have? Do you look at us without tinted glasses?
In short, the casting of roles is indeed the most difficult part of the film for the audience to accept.
Most netizens also evaluate movies in an attitude of not dealing with people, and do not intend to rise to other levels, so they avoid talking about it, but discuss the content of the movie itself.
Speaking of the movie itself, it is still the old problem---the common problem of popcorn movies.
In the current Marvel movie, every time it reaches the climax of the battle plot, it will definitely be a battle of some big scenes, even if it is based on a Kung Fu movie, "Shang Qi" is no exception.
From the very beginning, like Chen Jiaju in a driving car, to the bamboo forest competition between his parents, and finally to the decent camp with various beasts to launch a grand battle against the enemy. The picture is back to the Marvel-style battle we are most familiar with.
Under the gorgeous special effects,In terms of plot, there are not too many remarkable points, but it is not worthless. This Marvel hero growth line adopts a process model from evasion to acceptance, starting from the contradiction between father and son.
Although the world of "Shang Qi" is full of Chinese culture, the film is still an American movie. Many of the Chinese elements are just permeating the table, especially the content of various fairy fights in the later period. I can quickly feel the boundless fantasy of Westerners about Eastern culture. It is not bad, but a bit ungrounded.
But there is no way, this is the difference of culture, it is hard to say that you can get the core of Eastern culture if you were not born and raised in China.
As a foreigner, it is not easy for Marvel to study it so thoroughly. Besides, it is a commercial film. Don't expect too many deep-seated things.
03. "Political Correctness" of Asians
The big guy who has watched the film has done a more in-depth analysis of the article, and he has analyzed it in the second half of the article, in the film "Shangqi" The presented kind of Chinese culture is not pure, but more like the spiritual world of overseas Chinese.
Living in the West, with Eastern beliefs and cultures, their world is like the content of this movie, full of all kinds of interweaving and mingling, and no one will find it contradictory. with.
and Marvel presents the inner world of this group in the movie "Shang Qi".
Previously, starring Liu Simu said in the video that this will be a Marvel movie dedicated to Asians. Now after reading the analysis of the big guy’s article, I can probably understand it. He had that idea.
In the past, Hollywood actors had almost no chance to take the lead in movies. Like other minorities, they mostly played inconspicuous supporting roles.
For Liu Simu, who has won the title of protagonist, such an achievement is naturally a rare good opportunity. That's why I expressed such feelings in the video. (Note that they didn’t say that they weren’t photographed for us.)
In general, the situation of "Shangqi" is actually similar to the previous "Black Panther", and there are both. There is a concept of "political correctness" in it --- One is mainly black and the other is mainly Asian. Therefore, many netizens said that since watching "Shangqi", they have begun to understand why African audiences love "Black Panther" so much...
just , Because we and Asians have the same roots of Chinese culture, so after reading it, the acceptance will be higher.
No matter who the audience of the movie "Shangqi" is, at least Disney and Marvel are not stupid enough to offend other people’s culture this time. The one who should be scolded is still scolding, don't always be suspicious of what people are doing.
After all, businessmen make money first, and a good attitude towards customers is the most basic professional ethics.
Finally, before the official review in China, everyone’s suspicion about "Shangqi" is better to put aside and wait for the results to come out and listen to what others say.
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