Ten years of Marvel movies will begin its finale, who am I kidding they'll be more, this year with the release of "Infinity War: part one" later this year. But before we get to that, we have Black Panther. A fantastic if not flowed Marvel movie.
Taking place shortly after "Cival War" we see the panther return home to be the fictional country of Wakanda where he will be crowned king.Wakanda is a fantasical world where "Star Wars" style science fiction is combined with a melting pot of arcane cultures to create what I know doubt will be the most unique fantasy world I will see this year. The country is built on a mountain of vibranium. The super strong fictional material familiar to all marvel fans as the material used to build captain americas shield. Upon being crowned king prince T'Challa (the Black Panther) along with a surprisingly strong female centric supporting cast will have to protect it from Andy Serkis's returning villain "Claw" and the mysterious stranger "Kill-monger" (Michael B. Jordan) who has his own claim to the throne of Wakanda.
I am most impressed by two fantastic villains, a infamous rarity for a Marvel movie. Michael B. Jordan is extremely charismatic and Serkis steals every scene he's in.
I also have no doubts that we can look forward to many awards for its costume and production design. An impressive display combining science fiction and African elements from the lands of many countries. I am also certain that this movie will be to black people what Bravehert is to the Scottish, an I iconic movie that fills the cultures it represents with pride and whom, it will just be a given that certain people have seen.
The visuals impress me so much that I also have no doubt we can expect to see its designs emulated in countless music videos for the next twenty years, similar to scarface. At only 31, Ryan Coogler has already made a soon to be iconic film and one of the most daring films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as it is the first Marvel movie I have seen with (du du du duuuu) limited humour. The thing that has been the biggest complaint of the Marvel movies is (outside of the villain issue) its over reliance on humour, even in its most serious films we see them throwing jokes into every scene whether its called for or not. This is good as it allows for an enjoyable experience but can hinder many's ability to get into the more emotional scenes.
As black panther limits its humour to only a few moments it allows us to feel more for king achalas inner struggle and allows us to take the villains more serious when they aren't taking part in over the top slapstick. Essentially what I'm saying is this movie is what the DC movies are trying to be.
Now the scary part, complaining about things in a universally acclaimed movie. Ok here we go. Number one although the lack of humour is enjoyable and by no means effects the supporting players it does greatly effect the panther himself. As Chadwick Boseman is made to play a king he plays his role stoically and with nothing but dignity and respect. The issue is when compared to the charismatic and strong willed Lupita Nyong'o (Nakia), his sarcastic and excitable sister Letitia Wright (Shuri) and the loyal and aggressive warrior Danai Gurira (Okoye) with all these characters in the mix Boseman comes of flat in comparison.
The effects are also about five steps from being above the last "Gods of War" game. I saw this with no word of a lie you will see far too many shades of "the Phantom Menace" in this film, far to much for a respectable film.
I also am shocked that after seeing this film that its politics were ever an issue. It only hints at racism and slavery, instead having a stronger focus on the issues of making up for your parents crimes then it does racism. This is a Marvel movie. A Disney Marvel movie which I would defiantly say is a good movie that you should see but not anything that should spark serious debate or controversy.
We also have the fact that the movie sticks rigidly to the Joseph Campbell formula that has been so highly criticised. Making it that the plot gives us nothing in the story beats that we haven't seen before. Couple this with the African setting, prince being crowned, old mentor, relative wanting the throne and dead ghost father in a Disney produced movie, you can feel like your watching a live action "Lion King".
Luckily these are small issues that don't leave any lasting scars on marvels biggest cinematic risk thus far. I will give it all the credit it deserves when it comes to representation but outside of that it does very little that I would really say is as important as people are pretending it is. Looking forward to all these characters returning in Infinity war. Speaking of which, note to cinema programers don't show a trailer for a movie where we see the black panther is alive before a movie that wants us to fear for his life.
4/5: Enjoy this as a basic popcorn action flick with good performances but don't go in expecting something life changing. a good Marvel movie.
