Black Panther (2018) Movie Review

Official Black Panther Poster

‘Black Panther’ is the latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with it being the 18^th film in the span of 10 years. Following the events of 2016´s ‘Captain America Civil War’, where the title character was first introduced, we see T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman reprising his role here) returning to Wakanda and embracing his duties as the new king of the secretive and technologically advanced nation. If you think Tony Stark and his suits of armor are as good as it gets in terms of tech savviness, make no mistake: Wakanda has more to it than textiles and shepherds (Pssst, it has to do with Vibranium *wink*).

A sample of the incredible visuals 'Black Panther' has

The movie is helmed by Ryan Coogler, who had previously directed the critically acclaimed Creed, for instance, and the film is a beast, in a good way. It is inspiring and irreverent, managing to create a subgenre within the existing plethora of superhero outings. It obviously contains epic set pieces accompanied with frenetic action (which was not as fluid as one would expect, sadly) but I believe the filmmakers faced the film from a narrative-driven perspective first, and only then as a blockbuster. Story wise, the film is one of the richest the MCU has to offer, as the film digs deep into the African roots and explores different cultures.

Black Panther in action during a car chase

‘Black Panther’ is fresh and creative, in the sense that it triumphs by taking risks and approaching things from ingenious angles. One major aspect you’ll notice immediately is a major shift in tone; there are fewer quips than on your average Marvel film and the jokes are scarce. Nonetheless, you still have some comedic relief, mainly via Black Panther’s sister Shuri, played by Letitia Wright. Aesthetically speaking, the film is competently shot and the landscapes are gorgeous; if you were to freeze the screen at certain key frames you would get an authentic, awe-inspiring and stimulating canvas.

All wakandan tribes gather for a fighting ritual

The costume design is spot on. Every character and even the bystanders were wearing vibrant and splashy outfits. Great use of color which resulted in creating a powerful ambiance, drawing us closer to the film. Another thing that helped with the world-building around Wakanda was, undoubtedly, the score. It was majestic and strong, probably because of Kendrick Lamar’s input and oversight on the entire soundtrack. The music ranged from drum percussions and tribal chants to some pop and rap hybrid; and it bloody worked!

'Black Panther' photoshoot

The antagonist for our clawed hero is Erik Killmonger, an experienced military soldier trained to take down governments with meticulous precision and efficiency. He is wonderfully played by Michael B. Jordan and gets to go all out with his performance. Killmonger’s motivations are actually easy to sympathize with, as you see where he’s coming from and what his beliefs are, which result in a fleshed out character and a formidable foe.

Still of Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan going at it in 'Black Panther'

I won’t go into spoiler territory, but he is, quite literally and metaphorically, the living parallel of the Black Panther himself. Once you watch the film, you’ll understand what I am trying to say. If there was one thing for me to pinpoint and identify as lackluster, it would be the editing, at least in certain action segments. It made those sections a bit choppy, but nothing that would make me roll my eyes.

Still of Lupita Nyong'o, Chadwick Boseman and Danai Gurira in 'Black Panther'

‘Black Panther’ is a great film with solid acting that continues to help expanding the branches of the MCU. At its core, the movie conveys a powerful message that works both in the shared universe (Thanos is coming to wreak havoc) and in our reality itself: it is time to set aside our differences, join forces and work together in order to prevent a darker future. Here’s hoping Avengers Infinity War delivers, two months from now! All aboard the hype train, folks!

With that being said, I rate this film with an A-. What about you? Have you seen ‘Black Panther’? What’s on your mind?  Feel free to jump into the comments’ section down below and share your thoughts.