Black Panther

My trip to the movie theater last night was one I'll likely never forget. 

Not necessarily due to the movie that I saw (it's very good) but due to the people and groups I saw, packing the theater to celebrate this film and what it represents. 

My friends, the girlfriend, and I went to our normal "premiere" theater; a fancy Alamo Drafthouse just outside of downtown Denver. Upon arrival I was floored to see how packed it was. The lobby was shoulder-to-shoulder and the bar was nearly just as filled. The crowd was around 85% African American, which is something that isn't all that common in Denver, let alone Colorado. It was a sight to behold though as typical Marvel "nerds" such as myself were few and far between and instead of superhero t-shirts most there were dressed in traditional African clothing, not at all dissimilar from what is seen in the film. 

It may have been at that moment that I started to comprehend the impact that a film like Black Panther could have on a community. Previously I was stoked because A) it's the final Marvel film right before Infinity War and B) it's got a crap-ton of talent in-front-of and behind the camera. Seeing Alamo Drafthouse packed to the brim with excited moviegoers outside of the normal Marvel-premiere crowd though added a new layer of excitement: wondering just how much impact Black Panther could have. 

Without going into full-on dissertation mode -- I am a movie review site after all -- I will say that Black Panther accomplishes everything it sets out to do. As a Marvel film, it ticks all the boxes of letting us understand and get to know this hero more after his stellar opening in Civil War, prepping the stage somewhat for the next film(s), and having a good blend of humor and action. As the largest big-budget African American film ever made, it also captures the spirit it sets out to and should be wholly inspirational to an extended population of our world the same way that many current superheros are to you or I. And that's perhaps its greatest accomplishment that it should please everyone who sees it whether it be a very basic Marvel satisfaction before we get to the "big one" or if it means something a little deeper than just being the next entry. 

My favorite new addition to the MCU ^^

So how's the movie itself? In a word (or three): very well done. As we've seen with director Ryan Coogler, he's quite talented and can take any material and make it work as his own. Creed, for example, had no right being as fantastic as it was, yet it ended up in my Top 10 of that year. This is largely in part because Coogler is a director who has a particular vision and style, both of which emerge more and more with each passing film. Black Panther is no different and there are obvious scenes ripped straight from his head onto the screen, which is very exciting. Seeing that he also helped with the writing makes sense too because Black Panther is a fantastic story that cares less about tie-ins to the MCU and more about building out its world and characters. Normally I get a bit frustrated when that happens but Black Panther does it so well that it's easy to forgive. The writing and story seem decidedly more mature than most Marvel entries, especially our most recent, which adds an element of weight that is sometimes lacking from this series. The film also skillfully challenges race throughout without being too intense (for a Marvel film) but also still driving its point home. 

In front of the camera, the cast is mightily impressive too. Chadwick Boseman continues to soar as T'Challa and is so good at being a leader that I could easily see him as the leader of the Avengers once the dust settles from battling Thanos. Coogler staple, Michael B. Jordan as Killmonger is also impressive and while he's not the most iconic villain ever -- something that Marvel struggles with constantly -- he does have one of the most well constructed backstories and reasons for being a villain in recent memory, all linking back to the film's dealings with race. I enjoyed his arc a lot and Jordan is a phenomenal actor that brings a lot to the character. I could continue with a list of what Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Daniel Kaluuya, and others bring to the film but suffice it to say that they're all fantastic and feel just as instrumental in the overall film as Boseman as Black Panther does. I did have one particular favorite however, Letitia Wright as Shuri is a delight -- providing much of the film's humor and acting as Wakanda's spunkier Tony Stark. I imagine we'll see more of her in the MCU and I can't wait. 

I'm not sure that boxing appropriate attire, Creed...

It would be interesting to compare Marvel
actors' workout regimens and diets...

My complaints with Black Panther lie mostly in me being spoiled by some of the action that has come previously in the MCU. My friend stated something to this affect and I agree with him: when the Russo brothers aren't directing the action, it feels less inspired. Outside of an impressive James-Bond-esque fight/chase in South Korea the majority of the film's action felt uninventive and somewhat low-key to me. It's filmed/edited fantastically and the choreography is solid, but it's really not much more than some hand-to-hand combat of which we've seen done better in The Winter Soldier and Civil War. It's still exciting for the most part, but it's mostly not anything you haven't seen before (though it's still eons better than whatever passes for action over at DC). I was also disappointed in the lack of integration with Kendrick Lamar's Black Panther album. Part of me isn't surprised given how explicit the album is in places, but there were probably no shorter than five scenes where a big action moment would happen and I was waiting for the "drop" and for Kendrick's voice to boom over the speakers, starting a rap that the fight would mildly be edited to. That shockingly never happened and aside from one Kendrick song (in the film's best action scene), there's little connection to the amazing album. Given how impressive it is that Lamar felt that inspired by the film to create the album, it feels like a missed opportunity at what could have been a really cool moment. Still though, the original score is actually one of Marvel's best ever, if not outright best, so it's not a total loss in the music department.

Issues with the film's action scenes aside, Black Panther is a memorable film for a long list of reasons. It's important for more than just being the last MCU entry before Infinity War and it had more pressure/reason to be done right than most Marvel films before it. The fact that it succeeds as a celebration of a culture and a people, at making statement, and at being an excellent Marvel entry are a testament to the combination of A LOT of talent that won't soon be forgotten as the MCU, and the rest of Hollywood, moves forward.

CONS

• The action wasn't as impressive as I'd been hoping and, aside from one great sequence in the middle, feels rather uninspired
• Perhaps it's just me but given how awesome Lamar's Black Panther album is, I feel like it was a missed opportunity to incorporate it more for some big-impact segments
• A few conventional story beats as we get a semi-origin story for Black Panther

PROS

• Attempts to accomplish something deeper than previous Marvel films and if my packed theater and applause afterward were any indication, it succeeded
• Stands alone from the MCU on its own fairly well and isn't obsessive with building up to Infinity War
• Ryan Coogler is a director to look out for, it you aren't already (I certainly am)
• Fantastic cast with lots to bring. Each character feels unique, important, and well-written T'Challa and Killmonger being specific highlights. Also loved Shuri!
• Certainly no Ragnarok, but it has its laughs
• Probably the best original score in the MCU yet
• A certain James Bond feel to a handful of scenes and the Vibranium gadgets are tons of fun
• Well orchestrated story that skillfully handles race and provides a villain that makes sense
• A South Korean action fight/chase scene is super fun and totally impressive
• Amazing costume design and captures a culture better than any Marvel film before it
• Had a lot of weight on its shoulders for a variety of reasons and is satisfying on many levels

Rath's Review Score | 8.5/10