Black Panther
- Feb 20, 2018
- 3 min read
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has a new hero and it is strong addition. While the supporting cast of Marvel movies had featured some diversity as it has grown in numbers, it has lacked a non-white lead. Black Panther had big shoes to fill and it was able to succeed due to strong direction and a clear passion from all involved in the film. There are some pacing issues and story elements that feel repetitive after ten years of interwoven comic book movies, but Black Panther finds its own identity in the end and will leave a lasting impact on future comic book movie expectations.
Black Panther starts off in Oakland. It is unclear if this is done as a direct reference to the real world Black Panther party or due to the connections some of the cast have to the city but the location resonates through the rest of the film. The stories of the comic books feel like they play less of role in what the movie wants to say when compared to other Marvel movies. With most other comic book movies the first thing the directors aim to provide is a service to fans of the comics. This leads to a fun a search for easter eggs and the Stan Lee cameo normally provides great laughs. In the case of Black Panther, the comic characters seem to provide a mask for a more important story of what a fictional futuristic society in the heart of Africa says about the world at large. There are many moments throughout the movie that tackle this issue with thoughtful insight. These conversations are some of the core strengths of Black Panther that separate it from similar Marvel movies.
Conversations between T’Challa, the main hero, and Killmonger, the primary villain, question the decisions of past Wakanda leaders and the place of black people all over the world. Killmonger is not just a mad man who wants to rule to world. He is a tortured soul who sees injustice in the world and has a calculated answer. Killmonger wants to upend an unjust world order and his climb to power results in a realistic clash of power. The conflict avoids the bright lasers in the sky that so many other films feature. The focus on internal and political conflict make for a strong story that at times points out the silliness of the comics it is based on, but at other times fails to escape the limitations of comic movies.
While Michael B.Jordan brings an immense power and weight to playing Killmonger, he is not given the time he deserves to cement the threat that he is to the world order. Many opportunities to show him executing his plan are replaced by explanations of his abilities given by other characters. This leads to the fights between Black Panther and Killmonger missing the weight of the consequences of their actions.
One aspect of the conflict between the Black Panther and Killmonger that is never lost is the importance of cultural representation in film. This is by all accounts a great movie that gives audiences a new hero that they can connect with. The world of Black Panther is vibrant and fully realized in a way that many other Marvel movies fail to reach. Black Panther will undoubtedly be a new favorite for many.
9/10
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