At last…. the final piece of the puzzle that Marvel producer Kevin Feige has been putting together for 10 years since Iron Man, leading to the culmination of Avengers Infinity War. We have the one comic book movie that many comic book fans have been waiting for since his appearance in Captain America: Civil War. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s talk about The Black Panther.
I type this after having attended two screenings of the film, which honestly helped me firm up my feelings on the film The first was a standard press screening. the second, however, was a special event hosted by comic creators Marcus Williams and Greg Burham of The Tuskegee Heirs. Sponsored by several organizations including Abstract Elements, Challenges Games and Comics, Momocon, and Rise Ventures, attendees were encouraged to dress in their best cosplays and African attire. Different tiers were able to possibly walk away with Black Panther T-Shirts, artwork, event passes, and many other items after taking in fan-oriented panels. You can see more in the video below.
As the film opens, we’re shown a scene in 1992 in Oakland, CA. where King T’Chaka uses his Black Panther mantle to catch up with an old acquaintance who seems to have his own agenda at the time. The events of this meeting have more ramifications than anyone could ever guess. We flash forward to modern times, during which T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) has assumed the mantle a few days after the events of Civil War. He flies aboard a cloaked jet piloted by his general Okoye (Danai Gurira), leader of the all-female bodyguard team known as the Dora Milaje.
After a brief encounter with his girlfriend Nakia (Lupita Nyongo), T’Challa heads home to the hidden Wakanda, a beautifully realized, technologically advanced country that has remained hidden as a third world country for centuries. T’Challa gets ready to face the trials that will make him king of the five tribes that comprise this civilization. His mother Ramonda (Angela Bassett) and sister Suri (Letitia Wright) await the opportunity to guide him through this ritual.
Meanwhile, in London, we see the newly armed Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis), last seen in Avengers Age of Ultron. Klaue and his group help a highly assertive young man named Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) steal an artifact from the museum’s African exhibit. This activity attracts the attention of Wakanda’s elders, who’ve wanted Klaue for serious crimes a long time now. T’Challa, Okoye, and Nakia resolve to track him down.
A lot of stuff happens in this movie as were given a rich mythology and culture to absorb while the story unfolds. Many of the most impressive advances stem from research and developments of highly coveted metal called Vibranium, which Wakanda solely possesses (well, outside of Captain America’s shield, that is). The story of this tech is equally as interesting as the Wakandans’ desire to remain hidden from the outside worlds for fear of poverty, colonialization, warfare and other threats. Those themes form the backbone of the story in many interesting ways, which screenwriter Joe Robert Cole weaves together very well with co-writer and lead director Ryan Coogler, who executes the story and legend of the Black Panther very effectively. A lot of information is thrown at us here and it will likely take a couple screenings to absorb everything. It will also help to take in Avengers Age of Ultron and Civil War again as there are several references to those films.
That’s not to say the movie doesn’t stand up entirely on its own. The story here is a rich one with a lot of thought-provoking themes presented regarding heroism and what it truly means to define your place in the world. These themes haven’t really been presented much in comic book films before making the Black Panther a very refreshing movie.
As to the acting, there’s not a single weak link in the entire cast. I suspect many women will want to train to emulate Okoye’s moves as she and her Dora Milaje team are the fiercest fighters I’ve ever seen in the MCU. It’s wonderful to see Gurira show how much Okoye relishes her role whenever the action begins. My personal favorite character is Suri, who is a bit of a playful scene stealer as realized by Wright. She’s the snarky tech genius whose abilities would be fun to match against Tony Stark. The tribal leaders M”Baku (Winston Duke), W’Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya), and Zuri (Forest Whitaker) are all interesting to watch for different reasons.
But it’s both Boseman and Jordan who really shine as the centerpieces of the story. Killmonger’s very intriguing as we learn more about him and between his intensity and various articulations, we get a truly dangerous, complex villain who is presented much like Michael Keaton’s Vulture in Spider-Man Homecoming. There are many elements to this character that make you uncertain as to what a bad man really is. As such, Killmonger is now my second favorite antagonist in the MCU, just behind Wilson Fisk in Daredevil. Jordan brings some convincing mannerisms which make Killmonger menacing and funny at the same time, and his final line is very haunting. Boseman retains his forcefulness and sensitivity that is required for a good man to be king (so he thinks). It’s an excellent journey to see his character evolve and learn what it means to take on adversities and rule wisely.
There are excellent costumes by Ruth E .Carter and visual effects as well. But it really is the dynamic of The Black Panther and Killmonger that keeps everything in focus. Everything about this movie is expertly done. I think it’s currently my 4th favorite MCU movie, the more I reflect on it. Ryan Coogler has done a hell of a job since doing Creed and Fruitvale Station, and he should definitely be brought back to direct future Marvel flicks.
Grade: A / A+
