Black Panther Review

Wakanda forever! Those two words will be ringing in your head long after the movie is over. Black Panther brings everything fresh to the MCU. As Marvel Studio's first solo black superhero film, it shows more important than ever how important representation is; especially in superhero films. Kids need a hero they can look up & relate to. It's cool for black child to like Iron Man or Captain America, but to idolize someone who looks like them and deals with the same issues, a personal connection is made. The character, Black Panther, is part of a discussion that is bigger than the film itself. The issues involved are one that are dealt with everyday. This makes the conflict at hand more intimate. Following the events of Captain America: Civil War, T'Challa returns home to Wakanda to hold the Black Panther mantel after his father's death. Under a new leadership T'Challa seeks out Klaw, an outlaw who stole vibranium under his father's rule, with the help of the Dora general Okoye & his ex-girlfriend Nakia (played by Danai Gurira & Lupita Nyong'o respectively). However, after failing to capture him, Killmonger (played by Michael B Jordan), cousin to T'Challa, challenges for a spot on the throne. After claiming victory, Wakanda and its citizens becomes divided on who to serve. This is only Chadwick Boseman's second time playing Black Panther, but after watching this film you'll time he's being doing it for a lifetime. There are many characteristics that the actor does so well that make him a convincing Black Panther and king. He is caring, sympathetic, brave, modest, and courageous. Just like Robert Downey Jr., Boseman was born to play this role. He is role model for many kids that allow the best of them come out.

Numerous times I have said in reviews: a film is only as good as its villain. Killmonger doesn't fit the typical super villain cliche role of wanting world domination or millions of money; he instead has revenge on his mind. Killmonger is after Wakanda for its resources and after to avenge his father's death and the hands of T'Challa's father. He believes Wakanda is selfish for hiding its resources while many black people are suffering and placed in disadvantages in different social levels. His plan is to transport Wakanda's weapons and vibranium to different global locations for blacks to revolve against their colonizers. While he is the film's villain, I found it difficult to not side with him. Everything he is speaking is the truth. His plan brings a perspective I never would've recognized from Wakanda. I always saw the location as a rich city with technological advances that want to stay away from foreign affairs for protection. But it never occurred to me the role Wakanda plays for not aiding its black brothers & sisters. The reason why Killmonger's mission is powerful is because he talks racism, a very real and ugly infection. Everything he says is a harsh but true reality that the film does an excellent job at addressing. Even though Killmoger is defeated by the end of the film, his motives left an impact on T'Challa. The king decides to open Wakanda's doors to the outside world for aid.

If there was anyone to take away the spotlight from Black Panther it would be the fierce women. Starting off with the Dora Milaje. They are a group of elite women fighters who bodyguard the Black Panther. Led by Okoye, the group are a force to be reckon with. They aid T'Challa against Killmonger and are able to hold their own fight even while he has the power of the Black Panther. Okoye is fearless and would give Black Widow a run for her money. Nakia is T'Challa's ex-girlfriend and a spy. Another character who is skilled in combat and technicality. While her actions may not be justified by the "traditional" Wakanda rules, she does things always for the intention of protecting her country. Lastly, there is Shuri, T'Challa's younger sister. Undoubtedly, she is probably MCU's smartest character. Numerous times throughout the film, we witness her design new weapons and amour for Black Panther and his comrades. She is to credit for the landscape structure of Wakanda with its vibranium usage. In my opinion, Stark & Banner have nothing on her. All these women bring an interesting quality to the film that make us want more. There interactions with other MCU members in Infinity War will be gold.

Another aspect that is worth praising is the music. Previous Marvel films, such as Guardians of the Galaxy & Thor: Ragnarok, have amazing soundtracks that pump the audience into the film's energy. However, the soundtracks are composed of songs that have already existed. While Black Panther has an upbeat and electrifying film score that is original and composed by Kendrick Lamar. His work, along with The Weeknd & SZA, are musicians whose works are relevant to the film's heart and message. There are tunes of injustice and mellow nurturing. One last point I have to make is use of Oakland, California, as a location. Not only is it notable for being the director's hometown, but the film addresses the racial inequalities that exist for African Americans in that location. By the end of the film, T'Challa buys land and aims to use his resources to provide education and other advancements for the community. While at the end of the day Black Panther is another Marvel film, it leaves a huge legacy for representation. Now that we are aware of the Wakanda and the characters & their capabilities it is going to being interesting to see how Marvel will use this for their advantage to aid the Avengers and defeat Thanos. After this release, the possibilites are endless for what Marvel or other colored superhero films are capable of.

Final Score: 10/10

Everything about this film, from its characters to music to plot, is fresh and relieving for the MCU. A legacy from one character becomes larger than the film itself that makes it ever so more significant.