'Black Panther' Movie Review

Released: 12 February 2018 (UK)

Length: 134 Minutes

Certificate: 12A

Director: Ryan Coogler

Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Forrest Whitaker and Andy Serkis

Black Panther is the eighteenth film in Marvel’s long running franchise and it’s been built up as one of the more high-profile releases in recent years. It isn’t the first superhero film to feature a black lead (Marvel’s own Blade trilogy and 2008’s Hancock predate the MCU’s effort) but it is the very first to dive deep into areas of both history and culture that are so often ignored in popular entertainment. With the wrong direction or production, a film like this could have been mishandled, but Marvel knew from the get-go what they wanted from the first all-black superhero film; the result is another sure-fire hit.

Taking place shortly after Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther follows the titular king of Wakanda (Chadwick Boseman) as he comes to terms with being the new ruler of a region hidden away from the rest of the world. At first, the task of running things seems simple: take revenge on terrorist Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) who murdered the hero’s father, but then the film goes sideways as the sins of past generations come to light, creating further complications for the kingdom. This thematic shift in tone is where the film hits its stride, becoming more than just another superhero film with action sequences and character moments. But where Black Panther differs from every other superhero film ever made is its subtext; there are several honest and sincere nods to slavery, colonialism, and even the modern police brutality and systematic discrimination that black Americans face in the United States. It weaves all these threads into the plot seamlessly, without beating you over the head and because director Ryan Coogler is incredibly well versed with these messages, they feel especially relevant in modern times. There are some members of T’Challa’s court who feel a bit underdeveloped, though; when the feud between the King and his would-be usurper erupts, there could have been more internal conflict there. On top of that, I was left wishing that the citizens of Wakanda had more of a role, which would have added a further dynamic to the royal struggle that takes place.

The interesting thing about Black Panther as a character is that physically he’s practically unstoppable, with all the wealth and technology to fuel his crusades; yet it’s his family connections and more thoughtful side that are tested throughout the film, making his journey even more enthralling. The other members of his court, particularly the head of the royal guard Okoye (Danai Gurira of The Walking Dead fame), former lover Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), and T’Challa’s vastly intelligent sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) are all especially likeable in that they commit fully to both their actions and viewpoints. There’s a very firm split between the African heritage of Wakanda and the more American-centric inhabitants of the US; this contrast enhances the film’s competing ideas. One side wishes to stay hidden, not interfering or getting involved in the affairs of the world and the other, angry at the way they have been treated, wants to fight back. The latter viewpoint is what makes Michael B. Jordan’s N’Jadaka so compelling. He has carried out many awful deeds, but his anger stems from a very real societal issue, adding an element of sympathy to his character. Tying the film in with the rest of the MCU, Martin Freeman’s Everett Ross has a decent amount of screen time without ever distracting from the main cast and Andy Serkis is capably over-the-top as Klaue. There really isn’t a single weak cast member to be found in the film.

The look of Black Panther is incredibly imaginative from both an artistic and technical standpoint; the main setting of Wakanda utilises a style called afrofuturism, which reimagines Africa as a continent free to grow on its own accord without the intrusion of colonial invasion; the result is a futuristic city which looks like nothing ever seen in the MCU before. Yet even with all its towering skyscrapers and rapid trains, the production team balanced this out with ties to traditional African culture; this shows mainly through the costuming work and the soulful singing of the crowds which both feel vibrant and authentic. Primary colours are especially prevalent, marking the members of T’Challa’s council with importance. The action scenes are very well shot and choreographed; often the camera will pull and pan around the action, focusing on one character then another in quick succession and this is only aided further by an excellent soundtrack featuring the talents of Kendrick Lamar among other artists, which gives the film a very punchy style.

Black Panther has gotten a lot of press for being an all-black led superhero film but that is only half of the film’s success story. It expertly blends both African and African-American culture to create a dramatically different superhero movie, one made better by a strong villain and superb crafting of its world. Outside of a few missed opportunities, everyone involved with the film throws everything into making it work and it’s because of this that Black Panther demands to be seen.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars (Brilliant)