'Captain America must die in China': Nationalism fuels Ne Zha 2 fans

BBC - Feb 19th, 2025
Open on BBC

Ne Zha 2, a Chinese animated film about a mythical boy, has become the world's highest-grossing animated film, earning 12.3 billion yuan ($1.7 billion). This box office success has sparked national pride across China, with fans viewing its triumph as a cultural victory. The film's patriotic supporters have also turned their attention to Captain America: Brave New World, viewing it as a rival and celebrating its lackluster performance in China. Social media buzz amplifies this sentiment, with some viewing criticisms of Ne Zha 2 as unpatriotic or envious attacks from the film industry.

The film's success is not just a testament to its quality but also a reflection of China's growing influence in global cinema, challenging Hollywood's dominance. Ne Zha 2's rise has been met with both celebration and concern, as its association with nationalism raises questions about the broader cultural and political implications. Some worry that the film's status as a symbol of national pride may stifle genuine critique and fuel unnecessary cultural tensions. This phenomenon highlights the complex interplay between pop culture and politics in China, as well as the shifting dynamics in the global film industry.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a compelling narrative of Ne Zha 2's success and its cultural implications, with a strong focus on national pride and international competition. It is timely and relevant, addressing themes that resonate with broader societal debates about globalization and cultural influence. While the article is largely accurate and clear, it could benefit from more rigorous sourcing and transparency to enhance its credibility. The piece effectively engages readers and has the potential to influence public opinion, but it would be strengthened by a more balanced representation of perspectives and clearer attribution of sources. Overall, the article is a valuable contribution to discussions about cultural and economic power dynamics in the global film industry.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article presents several factual claims that are mostly accurate and verifiable. For instance, the claim that Ne Zha 2 has become the world's highest-grossing animated film, with box office earnings of 12.3 billion yuan, is consistent with external sources that confirm its status as a record-breaking film. However, specific claims, such as the decision by a cinema in Sichuan to hold off screenings of Captain America 4, require further verification to ensure accuracy.

The article accurately reports on the competitive dynamics between Ne Zha 2 and Captain America: Brave New World, particularly in terms of box office performance in China. It notes the relatively low earnings of the American film in China, which aligns with reported figures. However, the story could improve its accuracy by providing more detailed data and sources for these financial figures.

Overall, while the story is largely truthful and precise, it would benefit from additional source citations and verification of anecdotal claims to enhance its credibility.

6
Balance

The article attempts to present a balanced view by highlighting both the success and criticism of Ne Zha 2. It covers the national pride associated with the film's success and the backlash against critics who question its quality. However, the narrative leans towards a more nationalistic perspective, emphasizing the patriotic sentiment and competitive stance against American films.

The piece could improve balance by including more perspectives from neutral or international sources, particularly regarding the film's reception outside China. Additionally, while it mentions criticisms of Ne Zha 2, these are somewhat overshadowed by the focus on patriotic support, which may skew the reader's perception.

Overall, the article provides some balance but would benefit from a more even representation of differing viewpoints, particularly from international or neutral observers.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides readers through the narrative of Ne Zha 2's success and its cultural implications. The language is straightforward, making it accessible to a broad audience.

The piece effectively uses quotes and social media excerpts to illustrate the nationalistic fervor and criticism surrounding the film. However, the lack of source attribution can cause some confusion about the origin of certain claims.

Overall, the article is easy to read and understand, but it could improve clarity by providing more detailed explanations and attributions for its claims.

5
Source quality

The article lacks explicit attribution to specific sources, which affects the assessment of source quality. While it references social media platforms like Xiaohongshu and Douyin, it does not cite specific posts or users, making it difficult to evaluate the credibility of these sources.

The piece would be strengthened by including quotes or data from authoritative figures in the film industry or academic experts on Chinese cinema. Additionally, references to official box office figures or statements from involved parties, such as producers or cinema chains, would enhance the reliability of the information presented.

Without clear attribution or a variety of authoritative sources, the story's credibility is somewhat undermined, highlighting the need for more rigorous sourcing.

4
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of sourcing and methodology. It does not clearly disclose how information was obtained or the basis for certain claims, such as the cinema's decision in Sichuan or the accusations against American cinemas.

There is little explanation of the context surrounding the film's release, such as market conditions or cultural factors influencing its reception. The absence of this context makes it challenging for readers to fully understand the implications of the film's success and the associated nationalistic sentiments.

Improving transparency by detailing the sources of information and providing context for claims would help readers better assess the article's impartiality and trustworthiness.

Sources

  1. https://radii.co/article/ne-zha-2-surpasses-inside-out-2-to-become-the-highest-grossing-animated-film-ever
  2. https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65119671/
  3. https://www.screendaily.com/news/ne-zha-2-stays-top-after-domestic-debut-captain-america-brave-new-world-and-bridget-jones-mad-about-the-boy-enter-global-box-office-field/5202090.article
  4. https://macaonews.org/news/greater-china/highest-grossing-animated-film-animation-ne-zha-2/
  5. https://comicbookmovie.com/captain-america/captain-america-brave-new-world/captain-america-brave-new-world-way-ahead-of-deadpool-and-wolverine-in-china-ticket-pre-sales-a216121