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Black Panther Review

Black Panther Review

Posted by Jade Nicolette on 19th Feb 2018

Marvel’s latest installment into the Marvel Cinematic Universe is about to change the game. Directed by Ryan Coogler, Black Panther not only delivers some serious action, the film proudly shares a message of empowerment for the next generation and those to come. Leading up to the film’s release, the anticipation and hype of fans around the nation completely shattered previously held pre-sale records. According to Deadline, Black Panther quickly became the top selling film on Fandango in the weeks leading up to the movie's official release. Also, in a poll conducted by Fandango, hundreds of fans were anticipating a "different kind of super movie" and the "positive messages" explored by the film. Variety reports that Black Panther stole the title of having the highest amount of pre-sale tickets for any other Marvel movie to date. While official reports are still in the works, the film has appeared to grossed over $400 million in ticket sales from its opening weekend alone. It looks like a new king will rise, indeed!

Long Live the King

With a star-studded cast, the film features Chadwick Boseman as the king himself, T’Challa, opposite of Michael B. Jordan’s new villain, Erik Killmonger. Female empowerment was a key theme in the film, highlighting Danai Gurira as the fierce Wakandan general, Okoye, and Lupita Nyong’o as the beautiful, open-hearted Nakia. Director Ryan Coogler is also best known for his gripping work with Fruitvale Station, and more recently, Creed with Sylvester Stallone. The movie also shines light on other up-and-coming stars, such as Daniel Kaluuya as W’Kabi and Letitia Wright, who played T’Challa’s younger sister, Shuri. Kaluuya was recently nominated for an Oscar for his performance in the poignant film, Get Out. 

Shuri

Vibrant and energetic, Letitia Wight was a glowing presence in Black Panther, where she played the Wakandan princess, Shuri. With a tech-savvy background, Shuri represents a new future for young girls, paving a path towards the male-dominated STEM industry. In Black Panther, Shuri is sixteen years old, and has already created tons of technological innovations, particularly in the form of Black Panther’s high-tech suits and cutting-edge weaponry.

Erik Killmonger

For the past decade, Marvel has steadily churned out films that have been a colossal success, ranging from Iron Man and Thor, to even more lesser-known superheroes, like Doctor Strange. However, over the years, people of color have especially felt an extreme lack of diversity on screen. Eager for more representation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fans have been flocking to watch Black Panther over the past weekend. For many, Black Panther is more than just another superhero film—Black Panther is the film that geeks of a variety of backgrounds have been waiting to arrive for years. Unlike some of the other Marvel films, Black Panther takes on a darker tone, boldly exploring the backstory of Erik Killmonger, and creating a villain that’s way more complex than simply being “evil”. At times, actor Michael B. Jordan nearly outshines the leading star, Chadwick Boseman, and it’s almost lamentable that his performance had to be limited to this film, and that we won’t be seeing him alongside Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War.

Okoye

Danai Gurira, who many fans know from her sensational role as Michonne from The Walking Dead, set the bar high with her role as the fierce and deadly Okoye. In Black Panther, Gurira stands proud as a fearless general, who helps lead a group of female warriors known as the Dora Milaje. With shorn heads, spears, and a penchant for delivering some serious skills on the battlefield, they certainly stole the show in nearly every scene.

Rise of T'Challa

Black Panther hits hard with a powerful and inspirational message of empowerment and embracing one’s identity. While we won’t be delving too far into spoiler territory, we will talk a little bit about the overall themes in the film. The movie kicks off about a week after the events of Captain America: Civil War, and the story focuses on a heavy hearted T’Challa, overwhelmed with grief over the death of his father. As he searches for Nakia, played by Lupita Nyong’o, he is helped by Danai Gurira’s deadly character, Okoye. When they return to Wakanda, they must mourn the loss of their former king, and help transition T’Challa towards the throne. Nakia, who has seen the suffering of those from the outside world, disagrees strongly with the isolationist policies of Wakanda. T’Challa, who fights a delicate balance between staying within the boundaries of tradition, and strives towards meeting the challenges of the modern world.

Social Impact

In the film, T’Challa explores his own identity, and often questions what it means to be a king and a true leader of Wakanda. Director Ryan Coogler seemingly presents viewers with similar questions. What type of impact do you want to have on the world? In the movie, T’Challa has to make a choice, will he continue to stand closed off from the rest of the world, or will he decide to help towards a solution for a brighter future? The film makes a pointed stance towards the rampant issues of inequality, and seems to challenge the public— what will you actually do about it? In parallel to the questions faced by T’Challa, the themes explored in this film will undoubtedly work as a catalyst towards social change and bridging the gap.

A New Dawn

At the end of the day, the film means so many different things to so many. With celebrities and other kind-hearted philanthropists actually buying out theaters for kids to watch the film, it’s an exciting new chapter for Marvel. For years, the biggest misconception in Hollywood was that diverse films don’t bring in enough money, but based on the box office estimates of this film alone, it looks like studio execs will finally have to wake up to the truth. We look forward to a new generation on the horizon, one that allows for more representation in the film industry, and we’re specifically talking about it on a multitude of levels. Black Panther is the first step towards having more people of color directing the movies, penning the storylines, and starring in the films. One thing is for certain, many will fondly look back on Marvel and director Ryan Coogler’s masterpiece with Black Panther, and remember that this film is bound to define a new generation. As we gear up for a second (and third!) viewing, it’s clear that Black Panther leaves audiences with a simple truth—representation matters. Wakanda Forever!

Written by Jade Nicolette

Twitter: @nicolette_style

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