'Black Panther': Believe the Hype

Marvel continues to test fans with another three-movie year on the way. Superhero fatigue wants to be a thing, but the movies are just too good to let it happen. The MCU has become more of a genre than it is a finite franchise so, much to our benefit and the dismay of others, it seems this first decade was only the beginning. Black Panther ushers in a next ten years, and does so with style.

Welcome to the Family

There’s some pretty off-the-charts feedback in favor of Marvel’s latest film, and I’m happy to say it was earned. The things we’ve come to expect from this franchise are again present. Chadwick Boseman joins their long list of exceptionally portrayed heroes. His strong, subtle, and collected nature provides a much-needed contrast to the many aggressively charismatic egos on the MCU roster. There’s plenty of reason to love Tony Starks, but for every Stephen Strange we’ll need a T’Challa to keep our Avengers under control and balanced.

Action

There’s a pivotal fight near the end that leaves a bit to be desired, as well as an odd perspective shot early on that looked like it belonged in Downsizing. You’ll know when you see it. But the majority of Black Panther’s action flaunts an exhilarating display of cleverly applied technology and the close quarters combat that will outshine big explosions every time. This is arguably the coolest character in Marvel’s entire library as far as action is concerned and, despite only scratching that surface here, the film captured what makes him so special. When used correctly, these are the best elements of Iron Man and Captain America rolled up into one hero.

An Elite Cast

Because this is the rare Marvel star who doesn’t need to be a constant center of attention, Black Panther’s minutes yield unique opportunities for supporting characters. Between this dynamic and a uniquely shocking slate of great actors, this is by far the strongest cast outside of the lead character in a non-Avenger MCU film. Danai Gurira's presence in particular knocked me out cold, but T'Challa's allies and enemies are routinely impressive. It’s amazing to somehow have this many strong performers on one screen, with current Oscar nominees and Golden Globe winners in minor roles.

What Villain Curse?

This supporting glory of course carries over to the film’s villains, as both Michael B. Jordan and Andy Serkis deliver outstanding performances. I’ve heard more than one source claiming Killmonger “breaks the Marvel villain curse.” But the MCU hasn’t offered a weak set of villains since Doctor Strange in 2016. Since then, Ego was great in Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2 and Michael Keaton absolutely crushed the Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming. While Hela may have been more bland in Thor: Ragnarok, Jeff Goldblum’s Grandmaster and Loki’s more treacherous moments piece together a solid villain-by-committee.

Characters Tell Stories

So the thought-provoking Killmonger was excellent, but he’s only a next step in the right direction. I’m still morbidly pessimistic towards Thanos, who will quite possibly be the most cinematically overhyped character of all time, but that’s a conversation for another day. One compliment unique to Black Panther, however, is the actual plot. Most MCU movies simply tell a story that makes sense as a means to showcase great characters. This time, they used a great character to tell an interesting story.

Wakanda Forever

The advanced, secluded nation of Wakanda is a legitimate character in Black Panther. That may be an overused compliment after this weekend, but the film earned it so I’ll be using it as well. I was worried the trailers seemed a little too metropolitan, only to feel stupid upon realizing they were primarily showcasing the sequence in Korea.

Wakanda itself is a masterful combination of tribal culture and scientific miracles that make Stark Industries look like Radio Shack. And apparently, if you’re better than the current monarch at karate, you get immediate access to weapons of mass destruction. That’s the kind of comic book nonsense I want sprinkled over my deeper story about family and foreign policy.

MCU Standings

It’s tough to say where this ultimately ranks in the grand scheme of MCU filmography. I tend to list out Civil War, Winter Soldier, and the original Avengers with ease as a top three. Beyond that, we fall into a maze of very good, somewhat interchangeable solo adventures. Maybe it’s Iron Man at the four spot. Maybe it’s Doctor Strange. Maybe it’s Black Panther. Only time will tell, but I could easily see this movie topping that second tier of MCU goodness.

The Verdict

Black Panther is the film MCU fans needed right now. I only counted two cringe-worthy jokes, which is like a raging alcoholic enjoying a tasteful glass of red wine with dinner. Not perfect, but the improvement is appreciated. T’Challa and his understated presence enables a clever, meaningful story that was bigger than any one of Black Panther’s strong characters.

So believe the hype, and be pseudo-shocked at the fact that the director of Creed went and made a great superhero movie. The more Black Panther and Wakanda we see in Avengers: Infinity War, the better. Outside of some visual nitpicking and subpar post-credit scenes (because it’d apparently kill them to give Amputee Jesus some personality), there’s not much to criticize about this one. Give yourself a break from suffocating Oscar material and enjoy Marvel’s latest hit.