Black Panther (2018)

After the events in Civil War, T’Challa returns to Wakanda to be crowned king, in place of his late father. As he is conflicted with being a superior king and fixing past mistakes, the ghost of his father’s past comes back in the form of Eric Stevens, aka Killmonger, who aims to bring Wakanda more into the rest of the world.

Back in the 90’s, after the possibility of comic book movies showed a brighter future, thanks to Tim Burton’s Batman films, Marvel had been desperate to try and get a successful movie out in movie theatres. Despite having failures with Howard the Duck, The Fantastic Four, and The Punisher, the team was eager to do a film adaptation of the Black Panther, especially when they had blockbuster star, Wesley Snipes, eager to play the lead. However, after numerous turn downs, mostly because it got confused for a film about the Black Panther political party, not the superhero, as well as conflicting issues between Snipes and directors approached, like John Singleton, pre-production lasted up until Marvel went bankrupt and the film was put on hold; since then, Snipes left the project, but eventually got to be in a successful superhero franchise, in the form of the Blade Trilogy.

            With the MCU’s tenth anniversary knocking at their door this May, we only have one more film before we see the Avengers return for their Infinity War. And after finally getting his big screen debut in Captain America: Civil War and having to wait through Spiderman’s recycled filler bag, it seemed like the world was really excited for the highly anticipated and long desired, Black Panther.

The hype for this film was through the roof all over the world, and with very good intention. What we were looking at with Black Panther, wasn’t just going to be the typical Marvel Studios superhero movie that we’ve seen before; we’re diving into cultures that have yet to have a respectable presentation brought to them, that wasn’t just foreign criminals. Not only that, but you’ve got both a predominantly black cast and a black successful film maker, Ryan Coogler, fresh off of Creed and Fruitvale Station helming the movie.

Does the film live up to its hype? For the most part, I say yes. Black Panther is not only a damn good addition to Marvel’s caliber, but it’s the best first solo superhero film they’ve given since Captain America: The First Avenger. Ryan Coogler beautifully illustrates an image of Africa that just looks so fascinating and beautiful; Wakanda depicts a perfect balance between past and future culture, and the sci-fi element of it never feels out of place from what we’ve seen before from the MCU. Along with the cinematography by Rachel Morrison, you truly can breathe in all of the wonder that’s captured in frame. Even in the social commentary part, discussing Wakanda’s involvement politically, does get brought up quite often, and it never felt preachy, which is surprising, since that was one of the biggest problems that Wesley Snipes had with his production. It makes sense, considering Marvel Studios has mostly focused on comedy and action, so to have a film that has a bit more of the calmer tones and drama, it feels rewarding to get something different.

Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa is once again fantastic. What I love about his character that separates him from most of the other Marvel heroes, is that we aren’t focusing on another snarky, sarcastic, asshole, who quips with almost everyone he talks to; T’Challa is of royalty in a sacred country, he takes himself and his position very seriously, and with how sudden he has to take charge after losing his dad, you constantly see the guilt and responsibility that’s been bestowed upon him, and he does make it clear that he may not be ready, but will not cower down. However, while Boseman does give a memorable performance, his character isn’t as interesting as he was. It didn’t really feel like there was a set goal for him, up until halfway through the movie.

This brings us to Killmonger, and…I’m laying it here, this is the MCU’s best villain since Loki. Both of them are outsiders, they both are connected with a royal family, in a land beyond normal reach, and the hero is another family member, but one of them wishes for their people to be more involved with the rest of the world, whereas the other wants to lead father’s path. Sure I’m diving into this deep, but you can’t help but point them out; but instead of a Frost Giant raised as a Norse God, we have a royal who was left on the streets of a country that doesn’t have the same kind of hospitality that other nations had. And Michael B. Jordan’s performance is his best since Creed. He truly is the real star of this show, and considering this is his third main role in a Ryan Coogler film, it would make sense that Coogler would know how to bring out his best; plus, after Jordan’s last comic book movie, I bet he’s thrilled to have ONE good one on his resume. The supporting cast all do great as well; Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, T’Challa’s spy love interest, Danai Gurira was absolutely badass as Okoye, Daniel Kaluuya (recent Oscar nominee for Get Out) as W’Kabi, the head security and T’Challa’s best friend, is also fantastic, Foresti Whitaker, Angela Basset, and Winston Duke as some of the leaders are also great as well. Martin Freeman also returns as Everett Ross, but this time has a lot more to do in the film, especially in the climax.

In terms of complaints, some of the CGI, especially in a falling scene, felt like it still need finishing; although, coming off of Justice League, and the heavy use of effects they did for that $300 million mess, it’s not that much of a bother to me. The only cast member who I felt was underused was Andy Serkis as Ulysses Klaue; he wasn’t bad, but it felt like he was being rushed out of the movie. It felt like they had two different ideas for what they wanted to do with a Black Panther movie and a sequel, but decided to do both, in case they didn’t get a sequel…well, considering the film has crossed the $500 million mark, and is still climbing the box office strong, I feel like Disney would definitely want a sequel if it means money.

Also, this is more of a nitpick, but with the end credits scene, you’re not missing much; while I am glad that they’re doing less of the referencing and “build-up” for future movies, I was hoping maybe they would save that for the end credits scene more, like maybe they would reveal the final infinity stone, since Infinity War is next. Again, just a nitpick, but that doesn’t affect the movie.

Overall, if you haven’t seen Black Panther, then I highly suggest you do when it comes out. Even from just a visual standpoint, it’s worth seeing on a big screen; the scope of this film, the story we follow, the contrasting battles between hero and villain, the messages and themes of being the proper successor that people need, and just the vast way in which they show a futuristic African country is absolutely gorgeous. Ryan Coogler, once again, delivers a solid movie.

Rating: A-