Black Panther Review (Contains Spoilers)
(Photo Credit: Marvel Studios)
Marvel’s Black Panther is a superb, intelligently constructed film that elevates the standards of a super-hero film in ways that change (and significantly benefit) the genre forever while cementing its place as THE most important film within the Marvel Cinematic Universe yet. Simply, the directorial efforts of Ryan Coogler and the leadership of Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige produce a film that is a culturally significant, cinematic achievement. Black Panther informs its audience the obvious potential of humanity’s advancement and technological prowess, but more importantly that there is still SO much work to finish and past wrongs to fix as an entire people.
(Photo credit: Photofest)
Marvel Comics writer-editor, Stan Lee, and writer-artist, Jack Kirby are indeed men ahead of their time. My immediate thanks and praise goes to these visionaries for being the first to create a super-hero of African descent especially during one of the most racially divided times in United States history (i.e., the 1960s, Civil Rights Movement). Fascinatingly, Mr. Lee and Mr. Kirby did not stop with their progressive characterization of a super-hero from African descent; they chose to base his home in Wakanda, the most technologically advanced civilization on Planet Earth hidden within the Africa continent.
(Photo credit: Marvel Studios)
The cinematic adaption of the “Black Panther” character has been in development hell since the 1990s, for many complicated reasons such as director choices and the character’s inevitable confusion with the real- Black Panther Party. But isn’t timing everything? The depiction of Wakanda and all the resources at the characters’ disposal would have been severely lacking compared to the kinds of technological and CGI graphics in today’s modern cinema. Perhaps, it was a blessing in disguise that Wesley Snipes’ take on the “Black Panther” did not come to fruition.
For the past couple of weeks, a person would have to be living under a rock to not know about one of the most tweeted about, anticipated, and talked about film of 2018. I knew that tickets would be scarce, and I chose to see the film at a smaller movie theater venue this time. To my surprise, there was a packed, diverse crowd (i.e., teenagers, adults, Whites, Blacks, Asians, and so on) of people coming out in droves for this film.
Right from the beginning, the audience is immersed in the visually “different” world of Wakanda’s origins and its most coveted asset, the indestructible metal known as Vibranium. The film switches to a more grounded and realistic tone after the story immediately transitioned to the city of Oakland in 1992 - a purposeful intention made by writers Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole because of the racially-charged Rodney King beatings.
(Photo Credit: Deanne Fitzmaurice, San Francisco Chronicle)
Emmy-winning actor, Sterling K. Brown, anchors this powerful scene set in 1992 Oakland, where the audience is introduced to the complicated subject matter at the heart of the “Black Panther” narrative – Despite Wakanda’s advancement and resources, why won't the country liberate the systemically oppressed and discriminated against African-American community? Unfortunately, the events that unfold in Oakland 1992 catapult the detrimental ramifications for the story’s present plot.
Enter the classic intro of the Marvel Studios brand, and I knew then that I was in for quite the cinematic experience. The audience is re-introduced to T’Challa/Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), but notably in a less confrontational way – a far cry from his more vengeful depiction during the events of Captain America: Civil War.
(Photo Credit: Marvel Studios)
Okoye (Danai Gurira), the remarkable leader of the Dora Milaje (i.e. King T’Challa’s secret service), and Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), another impressive warrior in her own right, aid in humanizing T’Challa as a man carrying the weight of his father’s unexpected death and his recent claiming of the throne. An essential part of the success of the film is the depiction of the female characters in the story. Each of the prominent female characters represents the strength of Wakanda, and without them, our hero would not have nearly succeeded. The women are graceful, proactive, and incredibly confident.
(Photo Credit: Marvel Studios)
The full depiction of Wakanda is easily one of the most impressive parts of the film – with clear indication Marvel Studios gave Ryan Coogler and the creative team free reign concerning the film’s production budget. Not one penny was wasted. The inherent beauty and landscapes explored within Wakanda allow for a rare depiction of Africa that will forever be entrenched in my memory. The Afro-futurism elements set designs, and costumes provides some the most unique imagery ever presented in a major blockbuster.
My most favorite aspect of the film is Ryan Coogler and team’s ability to balance the tone of the film. The audience gets to experience genuine, and humorous interactions contributed by ALL the characters – particular attention to the dynamic between siblings, T’Challa and his genius-engineer sister, Princess Shuri (Letitia Wright). We can tell that the film’s cast had a tremendous time working on the movie. All the characters feel truly real, demonstrating different shades and sides of themselves.
(Photo Credit: Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)
But then, Mr. Coogler can seamlessly transition into visceral, and almost brutal action sequences and tension when the dramatic moments are appropriate. The more advanced technology depicted in the film was a memorable, visual treat that I would personally love to see developed even further for Avengers: Infinity War (debuting in May).
(Photo Credit: Marvel Studios/Matt Kennedy)
However, none of these impressive visuals or tense action sequences matter, without an emotional hook and a central character arc. T’Challa’s arc concentrates on one question, “Can a good man also be a good king?” Thankfully, T’Challa’s arc coincides with the complicated issues regarding Wakanda’s isolationism and unwillingness to offer its technology to the rest of the world – especially towards the African-American community.
But how does the story confront these issues? Enter the film’s core villain - Erik Stevens (aka Killmonger), powerfully portrayed by Michael B. Jordan. Without giving spoilers of his complicated, though important backstory – Erik brings forth all the terrible consequences Wakanda made in the past. He also points to the sins of T’Challa’s father, and mentally & physically challenges T’Challa to confront his struggles as the new king of Wakanda. Both men, are connected to the sins of their fathers, and it is this relationship that I believe will stay with audiences the most.
(Photo Credit: Marvel Studios)
Michael B. Jordan’s tour-de-force villainous performance is noteworthy since this his first role as a super-villain and let me attest this is one of his best performances ever. Erik personifies all the anger and frustration shared within the African-American community for lacking culture or birthplace to cling to because it was wrongly taken from them. Perhaps the most significant reason for why Erik/Killmonger is the most memorable villain is because he IS US (people of the African diaspora). Like Erik, we are outsiders to Wakanda, which causes us to relate with his displeasure of how Wakanda has conducted itself with the rest of the world. Are his actions extreme, misguided, and morally ambiguous? Yes – but are some of his frustrations and ideas concerning colonialism valid? Absolutely. Over time, I suspect that “Killmonger” will challenge the throne (no pun intended) of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most celebrated villain, Loki.
The protectionism and isolationism decisions made by the former leaders/kings of Wakanda make them equally complicit in the terrible effects of colonialism and ethnocentrism. In an age where immigration is a pressing, though complicated topic, the Black Panther writers give the audience a timely reflection on this issue through the struggles of the fictional Wakanda. The most commendable aspect of the Black Panther writers is how it handles its ending and T’Challa’s journey – by compelling us to focus less on who’s to blame and more about being the changing force. T’Challa’s final actions as King of Wakanda by the end of the film will significantly impact the MCU moving forwards, and perhaps the real world as well.
Compassion is one of humanity’s most herald and redeeming qualities. The nation of Wakanda, under T’Challa’s leadership, now appreciates the importance of compassion and the Ryan Coogler completes his direction with one of the more hopeful endings I have seen in recent years. I thank Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Kevin Feige, Ryan Coogler, and the film’s production team & cast. My final acknowledgment goes out to Marvel Studios - for their persistent effort to get the Black Panther project off the ground. A feature that has already begun to leave a social impact and a cinematic legacy in the pantheon of great films. I urge everyone to see this movie.
As of now here are my current Marvel Cinematic Universe film rankings regarding importance and impact on the entire MCU:
1. Black Panther
2. Iron Man
3. Captain America: Winter Soldier
4. Captain America: Civil War
5. Guardians of the Galaxy
David’s Score: Black Panther gets an A+ (5/5 Entertainment, 5/5 Story Structure).