'Black Panther' Successfully Tells Superhero Tale Not Often Heard
- Starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Sterling K. Brown
- Rated PG-13
- Action, Adventure, Sci-fi
- Run time: 2 hr, 14 min
- Directed by Ryan Coogler
- In theaters February 16, 2018
There's no question that Black Panther has been one of the most anticipated movies for quite some time. Since the titular character (Chadwick Boseman) appeared in his first Marvel film, many were clamoring to learn more about this mysterious hero. However, when it comes to the standalone film, there's a story told that is more interesting than the King of Wakanda's: his opposition, and the movie's villain, Erik Killmonger's (Michael B. Jordan).
The glimpses of the culture surrounding Wakanda is stunning, from the high rise buildings to the rituals surrounding the crowning of new kings. The technology is magnificent, the scenery is lovely and there is a supporting cast of characters who somehow, even with a two hour run time, still don't get enough minutes on screen. Whether it's the amazing female-only royal guard, T'Challa's little (brilliant) sister Shuri or the many other leaders within this kingdom, they all provide a fascinating, fleshed-out look at an incredibly unique community.
The plot of Black Panther seems to follow a standard superhero template, though there are quite a few things that helps it stand out among others of a similar ilk. There is a burden put upon a person with exceptional abilities or character, said person rises to challenges, someone goes against him or her and then there is a battle seemingly between good and evil. However, what actually makes Black Panther unique is the aptly named Killmonger. As the film goes on, he is proven to be so much more within the shades of grey than most supervillains, which can be an uncomfortable feeling at times.
The movie seems to follow suit with many other recent Marvel properties when it comes to comedic moments and utilizes lighter remarks wonderfully to balance the rather charged - and socially relevant - plot line that threads through the film. While it may not live up to the hype (or the Rotten Tomatoes score) for some, there's no question that this is an almost perfectly crafted superhero movie, even if the main character manages to not stand out among the rest.