Review 433: Black Panther
Black Panther is a remarkable superhero movie and possibly unlike any other superhero film Marvel has produced so far.
Following the events of Captain America: Civil War, King T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns home to the reclusive technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country's new leader. However T'Challa soon finds that he is challenged from for the throne from factions within his own country. When two foes, Eirk Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) and Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) conspire to destroy, T'Challa must suit up as the hero known as the Black Panther and team up with C.I.A. agent Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and members of the Dora Milaje, Wakandan special forces, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war.
The plot is fantastic, it is rich with culturally relevant themes and great characters. It opens up this whole new world in the MCU, a world with such a complex, rich mythos, compelling characters and one that rooted very much African culture, giving the film a sort of je ne sais qoui vibe.
At its core, Black Panther is geopolitical action film that focuses on the family and the royal struggle of T'Challa in Wakanda
What sets it apart from other films in the MCU is that The Black Panther is not just an alter ego that T'Challa goes by; it's a mantle that's been past from generation to generation and T'Challa is just the latest in a very long line of Black Panthers. So not only is succeeding his father as King of Wakanda but he's also in some ways carrying on a family tradition and trying to incorporate that into his life and become a man, a King, a superhero and a protector of the people of Wakanda at the same time.
Black Immigration: Race matters in Black Panther.
Creation: Wakanda exists in a similar way that other countries and cultures have Iron Ore or Gold or Diamonds. For Wakanda it's Vibranium which is this very rare metal that they've used to become the most technologically advanced country in the world. And because it's an Isolated country and kept the existence of Vibranium a secret, the rest of the world doesn't know about it but anyone who does, wants it. Wakanda's Vibranium have made the country immencely wealthy and more technologically advanced than any other country and their advancements became public, it would turn Wakanda into a major military power. If the rest of the world knew how strong Wakanda actually was, they would fear it.
Liberation:
Isolationism: There is a lot to be said about Wakanda being Isolationist, Third World Country. The Wakandan government seems to have cut off any economic contact with foreigners, like foreign aid or immigration. The country takes advantage of its isolated geography to block unwated trespassers and outsiders
Cultures of Oppressions: One of the most profound things that Black Panther brings to forefront is how damaging his ancestors decisions to make Wakanda an isolationist nation, secluded from the rest of the world were and how badly it has affected subsequent generations. How they’re had to deal with things such as poverty, prejudice and racism outwardly because of Wakandas lack of involvement all of which are explored through the character of Killmonger.
What it means to be king: The conflict between T'Challa & Killmonger for the throne of Wakanda parallels the presidential election in which Donald Trump succeeded Barack Obama as the President of the United States. Their conflict also has something of a Hamlet/Shakespearean overtone to it.
But what impact Killmonger’s actions throughout the film, however heinous they maybe, have on T’Challa, challenge his beliefs and what he’s been taught by his father about ruling and how to do it. The Wakandan throne, itself, is a classic hereditary monarchy
There is also a surprising amount of humour in this film. Most of it curtsy of Shuri (Letitia Wright) T'Challa's sister which provides some truly laugh-out-lound moments. What's also great about it is that there's just the right amount of it, not so much that the film becomes overly comedic but not so little that the film becomes overly serious. This is mainly due to the films timing and where it's placed which enables the film to retain its more serious and political driven tone.
Director Ryan Coogler's direction is simply sublime, the cinematography is beautiful and captures the beauty and high tech vibe of Wakanda, Africa, the scenery is breathtaking, the production design is just exquisite (the whole world of Wakanda is rich with texture and detail and mythology and history), the costumes are just fabulous and bring out the colour and texture of Wakanda/Africa in general. The score by Ludwig Goransson is just splendid, Goransson recorded this in South Africa with local musicians and it shows. The make up is rich and beautifully detailed, the action scenes are excitingly pulse-pounding.
The acting is fabulous all round.
Chadwick Boseman has rightfully made the character of T'Challa/Black Panther his own. In this "Solo" film we get to see a very different and unique take on a Superhero and that is the responsibility of being a King and upholding the law of his Kingdom. T'Challa, ultimately is an anti-hero
Throughout the film he's surrounded by a group of colourful and eclectic supporting characters
Lupita Nyong'O is fabulous as Nakia. Not only is she T'Challa's love interest, she's his equal, a former spy, his partner in some ways. She's someone who disapproves of Wakanda's secretive, isolationist politics as she sees it as holding the country back from making the world a better place. She understands both the importance of a safe Wakanda and the moral necessity of doing something about the suffering outside Wakanda’s borders.
She's constantly getting involved in conflicts for the good of others, adamant to use her skills to help others.
T'Challa and her share a lot of the same ideals as well as being quite opinionated and stubborn which makes their relationship not only fiery but totally natural.
Danai Gurira is also terrific as Okoye. As the general of the Dora Milaje, she is completely committed to protecting Wakanda, is a firefly loyal protector who’s proud of her people, her country and her heritage as well as a staunch traditionalist who seeks to uphold Wakanda’s isolationist traditions. But underneath her stoic personality, she has a great sense of humour and she has a very soft heart for both her country and her people. She’s not a person who doesn’t connect to human beings as a result of what she does. Nevertheless she’s very devoted to what she does.
As head of Wakanda'a armed forces, Okoye is bound by honor to serve the king of Wakanda.
Letitia Wright is a joyful delight as Shuri, T'Challa's 16-year-old sister. She's the Q to T'Challa's Bond. Their scenes and banter are so relatable. She also serves as the films comic relief.
After a bit part in Captain America: Civil War, it's an utterly, thrilling joy to see Martin Freeman given a proper chance to shine as Everett Ross, he brings an outsiders perspective to the film and its depiction of Wakanda, acting as out audience surrogate in a way. He also has an uneasy peace with T'Challa and goes on a strange sort of enlightening journey to Wakanda.
Person of Interests’ Winston Duke as M'Baku. In contrast from his comic book counterpart, M'Baku is more of a rival and situational ally to T'Challa than an outright nemesis.
He's a very ruthless and powerful warrior who leads the Jabari Tribe, a tribe of Wakandans who've shunned the use of Vibranium and removed themselves from mainstream society. They believe that to move forward, you have to have strong adherence and respect for the past. So they have a deep moral conscience. M'Baku also has a strong respect for T'Challa and over the course of the film proves to be one of his most invaluable allies.
As Erik Killmonger, Michael B. Jordan makes for a spectacular and somewhat sympathetic villain. He's very strategic, thoughtful, patient, very well skilled, trained to a T and has worked very hard to accomplish his vision.
His family was exiled from Wakanda as a child, so he wants revenge and to take the throne from T'Challa as he see's it as his birthright. He also wants to change how Wakanda is run, stop the oppression of the people of Africa and sees T'Challa and his family as nothing more than hypocrites. He genuinely believes what he's doing is the right thing. But where his methods become rather impure is from the angle he approaches as his claim turns out to be more driven by revenge than the desire to help African descendants.
Angela Basset is also fabulous playing Ramonda, T'Challa's mother and the Queen Mother of Wakanda. She's a courageous and hard-willed individual who cares deeply for her family and nation and defiantly someone who T'Challa can turn to. He has to look to her for some answers as to what his father T'Chaka would've done. She may not be right all the time, but she defiantly has insights.
Forest Whitaker is also a strong presence in this film playing Zuri, T'Challa's trusted advisor.
Zuri is essentially Black Panther's Obi Wan Kenobi (as eloquently described by director Ryan Coogler). He's a very spiritual and religious figure. Spirituality is something that exists in the Black Panther comics and Zuri represents that spirituality tieing back to T'Chaka, T'Challa's dead father which make him someone who T'Challa can seek advice from.
After a bit part in Avengers: Ages of Ultron, it's a joy to see Andy Serkis back as Ulysses Klaue.
Like Erik Killmonger, he too has own agenda against Wakanda. He is one of the few outsiders to enter the country has access to Vibranium. He & Killmonger are united in their shared agenda to expose what they see as the hypocrisy of Wakanda. Pity he's only in about the first half of the film. Never mind, Jordan's Killmonger more than makes up for it.
Wakanda Forever! 5/5.
The Anonymous Critic.
The plot is fantastic, it is rich with culturally relevant themes and great characters. It opens up this whole new world in the MCU, a world with such a complex, rich mythos, compelling characters and one that rooted very much African culture, giving the film a sort of je ne sais qoui vibe.
At its core, Black Panther is geopolitical action film that focuses on the family and the royal struggle of T'Challa in Wakanda
What sets it apart from other films in the MCU is that The Black Panther is not just an alter ego that T'Challa goes by; it's a mantle that's been past from generation to generation and T'Challa is just the latest in a very long line of Black Panthers. So not only is succeeding his father as King of Wakanda but he's also in some ways carrying on a family tradition and trying to incorporate that into his life and become a man, a King, a superhero and a protector of the people of Wakanda at the same time.
Black Immigration: Race matters in Black Panther.
Creation: Wakanda exists in a similar way that other countries and cultures have Iron Ore or Gold or Diamonds. For Wakanda it's Vibranium which is this very rare metal that they've used to become the most technologically advanced country in the world. And because it's an Isolated country and kept the existence of Vibranium a secret, the rest of the world doesn't know about it but anyone who does, wants it. Wakanda's Vibranium have made the country immencely wealthy and more technologically advanced than any other country and their advancements became public, it would turn Wakanda into a major military power. If the rest of the world knew how strong Wakanda actually was, they would fear it.
Liberation:
Isolationism: There is a lot to be said about Wakanda being Isolationist, Third World Country. The Wakandan government seems to have cut off any economic contact with foreigners, like foreign aid or immigration. The country takes advantage of its isolated geography to block unwated trespassers and outsiders
Cultures of Oppressions: One of the most profound things that Black Panther brings to forefront is how damaging his ancestors decisions to make Wakanda an isolationist nation, secluded from the rest of the world were and how badly it has affected subsequent generations. How they’re had to deal with things such as poverty, prejudice and racism outwardly because of Wakandas lack of involvement all of which are explored through the character of Killmonger.
What it means to be king: The conflict between T'Challa & Killmonger for the throne of Wakanda parallels the presidential election in which Donald Trump succeeded Barack Obama as the President of the United States. Their conflict also has something of a Hamlet/Shakespearean overtone to it.
But what impact Killmonger’s actions throughout the film, however heinous they maybe, have on T’Challa, challenge his beliefs and what he’s been taught by his father about ruling and how to do it. The Wakandan throne, itself, is a classic hereditary monarchy
There is also a surprising amount of humour in this film. Most of it curtsy of Shuri (Letitia Wright) T'Challa's sister which provides some truly laugh-out-lound moments. What's also great about it is that there's just the right amount of it, not so much that the film becomes overly comedic but not so little that the film becomes overly serious. This is mainly due to the films timing and where it's placed which enables the film to retain its more serious and political driven tone.
Director Ryan Coogler's direction is simply sublime, the cinematography is beautiful and captures the beauty and high tech vibe of Wakanda, Africa, the scenery is breathtaking, the production design is just exquisite (the whole world of Wakanda is rich with texture and detail and mythology and history), the costumes are just fabulous and bring out the colour and texture of Wakanda/Africa in general. The score by Ludwig Goransson is just splendid, Goransson recorded this in South Africa with local musicians and it shows. The make up is rich and beautifully detailed, the action scenes are excitingly pulse-pounding.
The acting is fabulous all round.
Chadwick Boseman has rightfully made the character of T'Challa/Black Panther his own. In this "Solo" film we get to see a very different and unique take on a Superhero and that is the responsibility of being a King and upholding the law of his Kingdom. T'Challa, ultimately is an anti-hero
Throughout the film he's surrounded by a group of colourful and eclectic supporting characters
Lupita Nyong'O is fabulous as Nakia. Not only is she T'Challa's love interest, she's his equal, a former spy, his partner in some ways. She's someone who disapproves of Wakanda's secretive, isolationist politics as she sees it as holding the country back from making the world a better place. She understands both the importance of a safe Wakanda and the moral necessity of doing something about the suffering outside Wakanda’s borders.
She's constantly getting involved in conflicts for the good of others, adamant to use her skills to help others.
T'Challa and her share a lot of the same ideals as well as being quite opinionated and stubborn which makes their relationship not only fiery but totally natural.
Danai Gurira is also terrific as Okoye. As the general of the Dora Milaje, she is completely committed to protecting Wakanda, is a firefly loyal protector who’s proud of her people, her country and her heritage as well as a staunch traditionalist who seeks to uphold Wakanda’s isolationist traditions. But underneath her stoic personality, she has a great sense of humour and she has a very soft heart for both her country and her people. She’s not a person who doesn’t connect to human beings as a result of what she does. Nevertheless she’s very devoted to what she does.
As head of Wakanda'a armed forces, Okoye is bound by honor to serve the king of Wakanda.
Letitia Wright is a joyful delight as Shuri, T'Challa's 16-year-old sister. She's the Q to T'Challa's Bond. Their scenes and banter are so relatable. She also serves as the films comic relief.
After a bit part in Captain America: Civil War, it's an utterly, thrilling joy to see Martin Freeman given a proper chance to shine as Everett Ross, he brings an outsiders perspective to the film and its depiction of Wakanda, acting as out audience surrogate in a way. He also has an uneasy peace with T'Challa and goes on a strange sort of enlightening journey to Wakanda.
Person of Interests’ Winston Duke as M'Baku. In contrast from his comic book counterpart, M'Baku is more of a rival and situational ally to T'Challa than an outright nemesis.
He's a very ruthless and powerful warrior who leads the Jabari Tribe, a tribe of Wakandans who've shunned the use of Vibranium and removed themselves from mainstream society. They believe that to move forward, you have to have strong adherence and respect for the past. So they have a deep moral conscience. M'Baku also has a strong respect for T'Challa and over the course of the film proves to be one of his most invaluable allies.
As Erik Killmonger, Michael B. Jordan makes for a spectacular and somewhat sympathetic villain. He's very strategic, thoughtful, patient, very well skilled, trained to a T and has worked very hard to accomplish his vision.
His family was exiled from Wakanda as a child, so he wants revenge and to take the throne from T'Challa as he see's it as his birthright. He also wants to change how Wakanda is run, stop the oppression of the people of Africa and sees T'Challa and his family as nothing more than hypocrites. He genuinely believes what he's doing is the right thing. But where his methods become rather impure is from the angle he approaches as his claim turns out to be more driven by revenge than the desire to help African descendants.
Angela Basset is also fabulous playing Ramonda, T'Challa's mother and the Queen Mother of Wakanda. She's a courageous and hard-willed individual who cares deeply for her family and nation and defiantly someone who T'Challa can turn to. He has to look to her for some answers as to what his father T'Chaka would've done. She may not be right all the time, but she defiantly has insights.
Forest Whitaker is also a strong presence in this film playing Zuri, T'Challa's trusted advisor.
Zuri is essentially Black Panther's Obi Wan Kenobi (as eloquently described by director Ryan Coogler). He's a very spiritual and religious figure. Spirituality is something that exists in the Black Panther comics and Zuri represents that spirituality tieing back to T'Chaka, T'Challa's dead father which make him someone who T'Challa can seek advice from.
After a bit part in Avengers: Ages of Ultron, it's a joy to see Andy Serkis back as Ulysses Klaue.
Like Erik Killmonger, he too has own agenda against Wakanda. He is one of the few outsiders to enter the country has access to Vibranium. He & Killmonger are united in their shared agenda to expose what they see as the hypocrisy of Wakanda. Pity he's only in about the first half of the film. Never mind, Jordan's Killmonger more than makes up for it.
Wakanda Forever! 5/5.
The Anonymous Critic.
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