T'Challa returns home to Wakanda to rule as king, but an exile
challenges his rule and reveals a devastating family secret. ACTION/SCI-FI
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Black Panther (2018)Directed by Ryan Coogler
Written by Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole Starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Andy Serkis, Letitia Wright, Daniel Kaluuya, Angela Bassett, Winston Duke, Forest Whitaker, Sterling K. Brown Spin-Off of 2016's Captain America: Civil War Based on characters from Marvel Comics Oscar Wins - Best Original Score (Ludwig Göransson), Best Costume Design, Best Production Design Oscar Nominations - Best Picture, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Original Song (All the Stars) |
After his debut in Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther quickly became a fan favorite in the MCU. When it was announced he was getting his own feature, Black Panther went from being another cog in the Marvel machine to one of the most anticipated films of 2018. I can understand why. It's the first superhero film with a black man in the leading role since the Blade franchise, and features a cast of predominantly black actors. Black Panther also sports a host of strong female characters and important political themes about isolationism, globalism, and the importance of international respect among nations. It's almost like Marvel went out of their way to make Black Panther as culturally significant as possible, while at the same time doing their best to make it a truly kick-ass superhero movie.
Chadwick Boseman shines as T'Challa, the newly crowned king of Wakanda and the latest to hold the mantle of Black Panther. When a Wakandan exile named Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan in one of Marvel's best villainous roles) challenges T'Challa for the crown, a battle begins that threatens to tear Wakanda apart and pit its people against each other. The film draws strength from its well-written characters and shines as one of Marvel's best character driven films. The action sequences are top notch, and the film does a great job of building on the already glorious MCU by throwing in nods to the ending of Civil War and the bigger implications of Wakanda's surplus of vibranium. I could've used a bit more Andy Serkis as Ulysses Klaue, but his time in the movie is memorable and exciting. There wasn't a lot I didn't like about Black Panther. It's another fine triumph from Marvel, and the final piece before the much-anticipated Infinity War. While I was hoping for a bit more of a tie-in with the third Avengers film, Black Panther is still a fun movie and a great start to Marvel's 2018 roster. With films like this, you can tell Marvel cares about each and every character under its massive umbrella. They treated Black Panther with the respect he deserved and adapted his world with grace and style. Welcome to the superhero movie pantheon. |