Black Panther, 2018
Directed by Ryan Coogler
Black Panther marks the first solo outing of a non-white Marvel superhero. After making his debut in Captain America: Civil War, we finally see the origin story of T’Challa and his country of Wakanda. Marvel movies aren’t really my thing and I have a very small handful of them that I even like. However, having Ryan Coogler directing was enough to pique my interest and have me genuinely excited for this film. And let me tell you, it does not disappoint!
My big complaint about Marvel movies is they often want to have “very serious” stories while at the same time still have humour and I personally don’t often feel like they strike the right balance. And often what they try to be serious about is a very lame villain. However, Black Panther is a serious film but it’s correct in what it’s serious about, and that story is very nuanced. T’Challa witnessed his fathers (the King of Wakanda) death in captain American and now in this film he is seeing himself take over that role as king. Wakanda is an extremely technologically advanced country in Africa. They are at the forefront of technology because of the substance Vibranium that they’re able to mine. However, since their formation, Wakanda has not shared this technology and has put on the facade of being another third world African country, only helping when need be. So when Eric Killmonger comes along, he plans to challenge T’Challa for the throne and change Wakanda. I feel that’s about all I can say without spoiling too much. But this movie is about the struggle of a man becoming a king and the responsibilities on him. How to keep the country functioning but how to change with the times.
Ryan Coogler, only 31 years old, has been making waves in the film scene for years. He brings incredible vision and energy to this film. This film is incredibly political and really tries to engage in the conversations the world is having about the treatment of black people globally, but mainly what’s happening in the US. But it’s also incredibly black in its depiction of the Wakanda culture, but also in overall feel for the film. And another’s I thing I need to praise this movie for us it’s treatment of its women! We have at least three major female characters in this film and all of them are incredible badasses. And all three of them in very different ways! And that doesn’t even include the minor roles of other women in the film. There is a tribe of warrior women in Wakanda, and T’Challa is constantly around strong women. Women may actually outnumber (or at least match) the amount of male characters. Women are seen as warriors, as caregivers, as a Q-like Bond character, as scientists and as Queens. The depiction of everyone in this film is complex and so fully realized. Even it’s villain actually gets to be nuanced and complex. By far one of Marvels most interesting villains.
Black Panther is a film well-worth supprtoing. It’s incredibly made and it finally tells of a non-white, non-Western hero. And I think this is something the world has really been waiting for. ANd Ryan Coogler delivered the movie this story deserves.
9/10
