Chinese movie 'China Captain' slammed for being Avengers rip-off

The film also features characters from Chinese folklore like the Monkey King.

Andrew Koay | May 27, 2021, 01:18 PM

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A newly released Chinese movie has been getting some attention for taking a little too much inspiration from popular superhero flick "The Avengers".

In the movie, titled "China Captain", a team of superheroes are assembled for the purpose of defeating malicious foreign beings with superpowers.

According to The Straits Times, it was released on the Tencent Video streaming platform on May 18.

The plot of the movie involves its titular Captain America-like hero in a rough patch; China Captain is struggling with alcoholism and having his job as a hero stolen by foreigners.

It also features familiar Chinese characters from folklore such as the Monkey King and Zhu Bajie from Journey to the West, Yang Guofrom The Return of the Condor Heroes, and Justice Bao.

Image of the Monkey King in China Captain Screengrab from China Captain

Image of the heroes in China Captain Screengrab from China Captain

Justice Bao even has the ability to shoot lighting bolts from the crescent moon on his forehead.

Image of Justice Bao from China Captain Screengrab from China Captain

A Marvel rip-off?

However, it seems that viewers were unimpressed.

8 Days wrote that the film has received bad reviews online, with its poor storyline and ugly visuals coming under fire.

It also has elements that appear to be straight rip-offs from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, such as its own version of the iconic comic book page flip.

Nevertheless, "China Captain" has managed a 7.6 rating on Tencent Video and it clinched the number one spot for internet movies on movie ticketing website Maoyan Entertainment.

Top image from Tencent Video