“Black Panther” Theatrical Poster
Black Panther (2018) Review
Director: Ryan Cooler
Producer: Kevin Feige,
Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Sterling K. Brown
Running Time 135 minutes
By JJ Bona
I am not a fan of superhero movies particularly, even Marvel films, but Black Panther doesn’t feel like either one. It is a daring undertaking that provides a fresh take on the superhero origin story, a narrative that has been done to death.
King T’Challa of Wakanda is played by Chadwick Boseman. His country is a fictional nation in Africa which is housing untold amounts of sci-fi tech, and the King needs to step up and take on the weighty responsibility demanded by his birthright after his father is assassinated.
Rather than constructing a new identity and experimenting with his newfound power, T’Challa’s task is becoming a better ruler than his father was, and changing the direction of Wakanda. This country takes isolationism to an entirely new level, keeping its magical technology and precious metals closely guarded as its borders keep all foreigners out.
The residents of Wakanda would no doubt not even be able to enjoy the kind of fun and relaxation online betting NZ allows, as it is linked to the world outside its borders!
Michael B. Jordan shines particularly in Black Panther’s villain role, and Killmonger, his character must be the greatest bad guy Marvel ever thought up. He is criminally underused, however. Jordan’s magnetism is evident from the moment he first appears, and we understand his anger. He is such a good villain that he steals all the scenes he’s in, and calls attention to how basically boring King T’Challa actually is.
Black Panther is akin to Captain America in that he is as straight as an arrow, and almost unbelievably righteous. He does, however, get humanised by the relationship he shares with his younger sister, Shuri, played wonderfully by Letitia Wright. Their sibling squabbles make the pair very relatable, and this brings the mighty king a little closer to earth. Shuri’s character is very strong and spirited, too, and she is as unforgettable as Killmonger.
Killmonger has the perfect name, and is very, very good at killing. Wakanda unfortunately picks their leaders based on combative talent, and, interestingly, this is why Killmonger makes for such a fascinating character. His challenge to T’Challa isn’t just a physical one, but extends into the realm of philosophy.
Killmonger’s attack on Wakanda highlights that country’s biggest flaws, and strips the illusion of a shiny tech Utopia away at once. The fact that Wakanda is so weak in so many ways is what makes it so real, as well -the striking costume design and breathtaking world-building do the rest. I particularly enjoyed the rituals outlined in the film, along with the very real sense of history related to the Black Panther role. This is a primeval, vital tradition, not a decision that the world needs protecting made on a whim, as is generally the case in superhero stories.
The themes of military intervention, isolationism, and the perils of advanced tech are rather sophisticated for a superhero film, and very appropriate in the here and now we are facing, but never get too heavy. Black Panther is a finely balanced blend of enjoyable adventure and insightful political commentary.
