Directed by Ryan Coogler
Starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, and Lupita N’Yongo
Captain America: Civil War was as much a culmination of everything that came before in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as it was setting the stage for what was to come in Phase Three. It broke the Avengers apart, to heighten the importance of bringing them together for the big Infinity War, it brought Spider-Man into the franchise, and it introduced us to a character who would play a big role in the future of the universe: Black Panther.
Chadwick Boseman’s debut as T’Challa was definitely one of the highlights of Captain America: Civil War, which made the anticipation for his own feature-film that much greater. Needless to say, Black Panther did not disappoint. It’s all kinds of superb.
The film picks up shortly after the events of Civil War. T’Challa (Boseman) returns home to ascend the throne after the passing of his father (John Kani). Just as he begins his reign as king, threats old and new against Wakanda emerge. The old being arms dealer Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis returning from Avengers: Age of Ultron), and the new being ex-black operative Erik “Killmonger” Stevens (Jordan). Killmonger’s arrival threatens to upset everything T’Challa knows and loves, and change the course of history and Wakanda forever.
Without going into spoilers, this is one of the best scripts Marvel has put to screen. The message is timely, thought-provoking, and perfectly illustrated. There’s themes of foreign aid and operating without borders, that aren’t too on the nose but enough to leave an impact. What makes Black Panther so compelling is the central conflict between the ideals of T’Challa and Killmonger. Neither is completely right, nor are they completely wrong. They are two sides of the coin with some very valid points. This in turn, makes Killmonger one of, if not the strongest villains in a Marvel film to date.
Another great thing the film does is world-building. The viewer gets an insanely detailed picture of the nation of Wakanda. The technology, the culture, the architecture, it’s all there. The music is also incredible, one of the most unique scores for a Marvel superhero film. Coogler does a wonderful job of bringing us into this world, and the film looks beautiful to boot. Also, the film barely relies on anything that has come before, with hardly any influence from other Marvel films. Sure Klaue returns, as does Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) from Civil War, but hardly anything they do is built upon from their previous appaearances, save for literally one or two lines.
This cast is amazing. Seriously I love them. Boseman pours his heart and soul into T’Challa. Michael B. Jordan performance as Killmonger is incredible, some of the best scenes in the film are his. Lupita N’Yongo is charming as Nakia but isn’t given a whole lot do. Danai Gurira as Okoye, leader of the Dora Milaje is badass, and a lot of fun. Letitia Wright as Princess Shuri steals every scene she is in. It’s a hilarious, iconic performance. Then there’s Winston Duke as M’Baku. Oh my God is this guy the best, and another scene stealer-honestly it’s amazing how many different cast members are stealing scenes in this film.
Martin Freeman gets a lot more to do this round as Everett Ross, as does Andy Serkis as Ulysses Klaue, and their giving their usual best. Get Out star Daniel Kaluuya plays W’Kabi, T’Challa’s friend and Okoye’s lover. He does a fine job, but his arc and relationship with Okoye are a tad underdeveloped, and honestly the weak spot in the story. The rest of this stellar cast is rounded out by the talents of Angela Bassett, Forrest Whitaker, and Sterling K. Brown.
Compelling, ground-breaking, and epic, Black Panther is truly an amazing superhero film. Built upon an incredible script, brought to life by a truly amazing cast and filmmaker. As the Marvel Cinematic Universe gets closer to the end of the era and the dawn of a new one, you can be sure that T'Challa and company will be playing a major part in all of it. Long Live the King.
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