Gripping, hilarious and full of spectacle, the Ryan Coogler-directed “Black Panther” transcends its comic book origins to become a stepping stone for representation on the big screen, all the while never failing to exceed expectations as a film.
The latest installment in the Marvel cinematic universe, Black Panther, is more than just another fleeting superhero movie to watch before the Oscar season starts. Directed by Ryan Coogler, Black Panther’s impressive actor ensemble and immersive world exhilarate audiences as much as they challenge convention. Set in the fictional African nation of Wakanda, a technologically advanced paradise pulsing with the richness of African culture, Black Panther creates a world unlike anything audiences have seen from Marvel Studios.
Immediately following Captain America: Civil War, the film skips the traditional Superhero origin story altogether, instead focusing on the heavy burden that lies on the new king of Wakanda, T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman). T’Challa soon finds himself threatened by an old nemesis in the cackling, one armed Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis), who is after Wakanda’s rich reserves of vibranium, the strongest metal in the universe.
It’s only when T’Challa meets Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) that the plot of the movie picks up steam. Killmonger, who is driven by fierce anger and extremist ideology, hopes to spark a revolution of oppressed peoples around the world by using Wakanda’s resources and technological prowess. Masterfully acted, Jordan imbues in him a level of humanity and complexity that sets him apart from other Marvel villains. It’s through his character that Black Panther confronts themes like the legacy of slavery, colonialism and the obligation people with power and wealth have toward oppressed communities. Of course, T’Challa doesn’t face these challenges alone. While Boseman does anchor the film with his regally dignified portrayal, he is regularly upstaged by the film’s impressive supporting cast. Actresses Danai Gurira and Lupita Nyong’o shine as Okoye, the general of the royal guard and Nakia, spy and close confidante to T’Challa, respectively. It was Letitia Wright’s character Shuri, T’Challa’s technologically gifted sister, however, that provided the perfect counterbalance to Boseman’s dour seriousness with her youthful humor and sibling dynamic.
Still, Black Panther is unmistakably a Marvel film, with all the quippy banter, computer-generated action and Stan Lee cameos that have become the franchise’s calling cards. Too often, however, does Coogler’s storytelling seem to struggle against the tedious superhero movie template. Much of the movie’s moments are remarkable when they feel as personal and real as the powerful stories of adversity in Coogler’s other films (Fruitvale Station, Creed). It makes the ending—the customary, CGI-laden battle between good versus evil—seem all the more trite. Black Panther is a celebration of personal responsibility and identity. And with every Marvel movie comes an opportunity for the studio to refresh the formula and introduce new elements. Recent films like Ant-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy emphasize more comedic elements; however, Black Panther, sets itself apart with its depth of imagination and genuinely challenging themes. Inspiring in the way that Wonder Woman was an empowering breakthrough for women, Black Panther makes the case that comic book movies can have something meaningful to say, a direction hopefully to be seen in Marvel movies to come.