Whether “James Bond” or “Dune”: these films were made to be seen in the cinema. And that is exactly what is finally due in September.
The cinema could hardly report more impressively. Because the long wait for Daniel Craig’s (53) last 007 appearance in “James Bond: No Time to Die” and Denis Villeneuve’s (53) star-studded sci-fi trip “Dune” is finally over this September. And thanks to “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”, Marvel will also be back at the beginning of the month. Speaking of reporting back: With “Saw 9: Spiral” the popular horror series is making its comeback and “The Many Saints of Newark” even awakens the most feared criminal family in TV history, alias “The Sopranos”, to new screen life.
“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” September 2
When he becomes involved in the machinations of the mysterious organization “Ten Rings”, Shang-Chi (Simu Liu, 32) is forced to face his past, which he believed he had left behind. Because his childhood as the son of an influential Chinese businessman was anything but normal. From an early age, Shang-Chi was trimmed to become a martial arts master. Years later, he learned the grim reason for the hard training.
Assessment:
In “Doctor Strange” from 2015, the Marvel universe also tore into the Asian region for the first time, but it took another six years before the first Asian superhero got his own film with “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” . In addition to the usual, popular and, last but not least, tried and tested action food from the Marvel brand, there is still something new to discover culturally in what is now the 25th film from the franchise.
“Dune”, September 16
Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet, 25) predestined a role he would never have dreamed of. To secure the future of his family and all of his people, Paul must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe. Only in this world does a valuable raw material exist that could enable mankind to exploit its full spiritual potential. But dark forces want to seize control over the precious substance. A bitter struggle ensues that only those who overcome their own fears will survive.
Assessment:
More than 35 years after the master of the surreal alias David Lynch (75) filmed the novel “The Desert Planet” by Frank Herbert, Denis Villeneuve is now trying the epoch-making material. He has enjoyed full trust in sci-fi since 2017 at the latest. Because if you manage to give “Blade Runner” a worthy sequel, you shouldn’t have a problem with “Dune” either. Of course, it helps to have a well-known cast available who would theoretically be enough for ten Hollywood films. In any case, there will be no more visually stunning cinema in September.
“Saw 9: Spiral,” September 16
Hardened Detective Ezekiel “Zeke” Banks (Chris Rock, 56) and his inexperienced partner William Schenk (Max Minghella, 35) investigate a number of heinous murders that eerily recall the city’s gruesome past. The two detectives are supported by Marcus Banks (Samuel L. Jackson, 72), a respected police veteran and father of Zeke. Without knowing it, Zeke is drawn deeper and deeper into the murderous secret and suddenly finds himself at the center of the morbid game of a bestial killer.
Assessment:
Actually, since part five, the “Saw” series has been accused of the “Jumped the Shark” franchise. In other words: the plot and the murder traps had become so exaggerated that they had forfeited any right to exist. Nevertheless, three more parts were thrown out within a very short time. The new beginning, of all things with comedian Chris Rock in the lead role, not only took a few years, but also reflects on the somewhat more subtle beginnings of the series. But of course it is still bloody.
“The Many Saints of Newark,” September 23
The era of the Newark riots: The young Anthony Soprano (Michael Gandolfini, 22) grows up in one of the most turbulent phases in Newark’s history. He’s just a young man when rival gangsters begin to question the supremacy of the powerful DiMeo criminal clan. At the same time, violent racial conflicts are shaking the city. Right in the middle of these times of change: Anthony’s beloved uncle Dickie Moltisanti (Alessandro Nivola, 49), who is struggling to reconcile his professional and private commitments. After all, it is Dickie’s influence on his nephew that turns the inexperienced teenager into the overpowering mafia boss whom we will get to know later: Tony Soprano.
Assessment:
In 2007 the final episode of “The Sopranos” flickered across the screens, and lead actor James Gandolfini died in 2013 of a heart attack. It was his son Michael who found the star lifeless in an Italian hotel room – and Michael Gandolfini is now slipping into the role of his father in the feature film prequel for the series. That alone gives the numerous “Sopranos” fans goose bumps, not to mention the incredible resemblance of the now 22-year-old to his deceased father. Thanks to other stars who should not be missing in any Mafia film (yes, you are meant, Mr. Ray Liotta) “The Many Saints of Newark” appears to be an absolute must for all hobby godparents.
“James Bond: No Time to Die,” September 30th
James Bond (Daniel Craig) has given up his license to kill on behalf of British intelligence and is enjoying his retirement in Jamaica. The peaceful time comes to an unexpected end when his old CIA colleague Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) shows up and asks him for help. An eminent scientist has been kidnapped and must be found as soon as possible. What begins as a simple rescue mission soon reaches a threatening turning point, because Bond finds out about a mysterious opponent (Rami Malek, 40) who is in possession of a highly dangerous new technology.
Assessment:
James Bond never had a harder mission to fulfill – and that doesn’t mean his fight against Safin (Malek). You still don’t really trust the roast that 007 will truly return to the big screen at the end of September. The pandemic has too often shaken and stirred the planned release date for that. One can only hope that it will be different this time – and that the eternal waiting time has not ensured that people come to the pilgrimage to Craig’s farewell as Bond with expectations that the film cannot satisfy.