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Andy Serkis, Black Panther, Black Panther film review, Black Panther movie review, Chadwick Boseman, Erik Killmonger, Killmonger, Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Michael B Jordan, T’Challa, Ulysses Klaue, Wakanda
Black Panther Film Review
Review by Paul Bowler
Marvel studios kicks off 2018’s plethora of superhero blockbusters with Black Panther! Chadwick Boseman returns as T’Challa, the Black Panther, to his homeland of Wakanda in Africa to become king after his late father’s demise during the events of Captain America Civil War (2016). The reclusive African nation of Wakanda is secretly a technologically advanced marvel, crafted and powered by the metal vibranium – the same substance utilized by T’Challa in his armoured Black Panther suit and high-tech gadgetry.
As T’Challa prepares to inherit his throne, old enemies return, and soon T’Challa must confront a threat that will test his strength both as king and the Black Panther when he faces a conflict that puts Wakanda and the entire world at risk!
Based on the Marvel comic book character Black Panther (created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby) introduced in 1966, Marvel’s new blockbuster Black Panther, from Director Ryan Coogler and his co-screenwriter Jo Robert Cole, is probably one of the most hotly anticipated Marvel films to date. It’s a radically different kind of comic book film in many respects from the other seventeen movies in Marvel’s juggernaut superhero franchise.
This is an origin story that celebrates the Black Panther and his nations proud heritage, it firmly establishes Black Panther’s place in the MCU, boasting an impressive cast, strong female characters, and the fictional nation of Wakanda itself is breathtakingly realized on screen with its futuristic buildings and floating hovercars.
Marvel certainly have another winner on their hands with Black Panther! Chadwick Boseman is on fine form as the erstwhile heir of Wakanda, his portrayal of T’Challa has steely resolve and emotional vulnerability, and the characters enhanced physical prowess and suits abilities really get a chance to shine in the films elaborate action sequences. The screenplay from Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole offers an engaging multifaceted plot that deftly balances the superhero action and strong characterization together with pertinent social, political, and contemporary issues to make Black Panther a richly textured and vibrant cultural experience.
As this epic, generational saga plays out, the extremely talented cast of Black Panther really comes to the fore, especially with the strong female characters in T’Challa’s life. T’Challa’s sister is the amazing scientist Shuri (Letitia Wright), the cheeky Q to T’Challa’s Bond-like vibe who designs all of the Black Panther’s nifty gadgets and weaponry. Angela Bassett stars as his widowed mother, Ramonda, Okoye (Danani Gurira) is the head of the Dora Miaje (The Royal Guard), and Nakia played by Lupita Nyong’o is a Wakandan agent and former lover of T’Challa.
The transition of power will soon test the young monarch as T’Challa must choose between maintaining Wakanda’s traditional ways of protecting its technology and maintaining his nation’s isolation, or adopt a more modern approach, as well as a challenge to his leadership. Other integral characters to the plot include the shaman-like Wakandan elder Zuri (Forest Whittaker), the border tribe chief W’Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya), and the rival tribal leader M’Baku (Winston Duke). Martin Freeman plays Everett Ross from the CIA who inadvertently gets caught up in the Black Panther‘s mission to Busan, and subsequently ends up taking an enlightening trip to Wakanda as a result.
As for the villains, T’Challa must contend with the South African criminal Ulysses Klause (Andy Serkis) and his scheme to seal the precious vibranium, and the Wakandan exile Erik Killmonger’s (Michael B Jordan) plot to overthrow the throne! Superbly played with charismatic swagger by Michael B Jordan, Killmonger’s new vision for Wakanda poses the biggest threats to T‘Challa‘s homeland, and Jordan makes a perfect foil for Boseman’s noble T’Challa.
The slick direction by Ryan Coogler ensures the pace hardly lets up for a moment. The film has numerous exciting plot twists and spectacular set-pieces – a visit to South Korea, featuring a casino and an high-speed car chase, is just one of the films many highlights – that will keep you riveted to every scene, whilst also effortlessly immersing you in the beautiful African landscape and culture of Wakanda to make this easily one of the most unique and richly crafted locales that we’ve seen so far in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
King of all it surveys from its scene setting opening prologue to its frenetically staged climatic battle between T’Challa and Killmonger, Ryan Coogler’s film is action packed and lots of fun. A game-changing afrofuturist superhero movie in more ways than one, with a great cast, beautiful scenery, and spectacular action sequences Black Panther is an exciting 134 minute thrill ride that delivers on every level!
Images Belong Disney/Marvel Studios
Yes, th MCU can do no wrong – just when we think this could be th Movie of th Year, we have to prepare to get our minds blown by Infinity War(!)
Your Review delivers on every level, Paul
Cheers!
Indeed, the MCU always seems to deliver the goods. Black Panther exceeded all expectations and the some. Great film and very exciting. Yes, got us all hyped even more for Infinity War now! Thanks glad you enjoyed the review.
Yes, but I had hoped to find out if th last Infinity Stone would turn up here before we get to Infinity War.
Other than that, I have no quibbles w this cool cat’s movie
Cheers!
Indeed, overall Black Panther was a great film, would certainly like to see it again 🙂
Nice review Paul, Black Panther was certainly an enjoyable experience – it might have benefited from some tighter pacing and a less formulaic finale but the cast is strong and the visuals rich.
The Bond-ish elements were also a pleasure from this 007 fan, combining two of my favourite universes!
Thank you, glad you enjoyed the review. Be a while since I reviewed a film. Agreed, Black Panther was extremely enjoyable, pacing issue and frenetic finale aside, still lots of fun, and what an awesome cast! I loved those Bond elements as well. Overall, thought Black Panther was a great film, with stunning effects. Its certainly another winner form Marvel! 🙂
Yeah, I definitely thought this film was pretty fun. I was certainly surprised in a good way by the soundtrack. It was very fast paced and really accelerated the fight scenes
I thought the soundtrack was really good as well, brought so much to action!
It’ll be hard to fit it all in, but it’d be nice in Infinity War if each character got their theme to play at some point. Maybe during a significant moment for each character. I guess otherwise I’ll have to wait for the sequel to hear these themes again, but a sequel definitely shouldn’t take too long with how good this film is doing in the box office/critically
I’m sure Infinity War will give as many characters their time in the spotlight as it can. With the success and critical acclaim the Black Panther film has got, I’m sure a sequel is a given as well. Either way, the Black Panther is one cool cat that has more than earned his place in the MCU now.
This demonstrates that the general moviegoing public embraces an afrofuturist theme and most likely welcomes more. Great review, Paul.
Indeed it does. Black Panther is a film that works on so many levels as well. Cheers, glad you enjoyed the review 🙂
I’m really looking forward to seeing Black Panther! One of my coworkers really loved it, too!
I thought Black Panther was a great film. Hope you enjoy the film as well, its really exciting, and action packed 🙂
I only skimmed through the review because I haven’t seen it yet, nor do I know when I can, but it’s yet another reason for me to get excited for when I will finally see Black Panther. Everything I’ve heard about it sounds great.
Cheers for checking it out. Tried to make this review as spoiler free as possible. I really enjoyed Black Panther, really good film, lots of action, and great fun too! Hope you get a chance to see it soon. You’ll have to let me know what you think when you do 🙂
Even if your review is as spoiler free as you could make it, I still want to go into this movie relatively blind. Manged to avoid any spoilers so far.
I know what you mean, I’m the same if I haven’t seen a movie or TV show I really want to see.
Excellent review, sir. Nice to read a review again from you. I definitely enjoyed this movie, and was glad that it wasn’t a comedy-filled movie like Thor Ragnarok. It sure did turn out to be a success in the box office, huh? 😀 I wonder how well Infinity War is going to do now.
Thank you! Yes, I’m still taking things a bit easy after that chest infection knocked me for six, but I’m getting there gradually. It was nice to review a movie for a change as well, especially as Black Panther was so good! I liked Thor Ragnarok as well, but Black Panther was so exciting and fun too! Not surprised it did so well at the Box Office really, Marvel have another winner on their hands. Sure Infinity War will be another Mega Hit for Marvel as well. Cheers, glad you enjoyed the review, always have fun doing them 🙂
Nice review and I have to agree, the film was amazing!
Black Panther was a great film, really enjoyed it. Cheers, glad you enjoyed the review 🙂
Very well written review look forward to seeing more please follow back
Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed it. Thought Black Panther was a great film. Thanks for following Sci-Fi Jubilee, I’ll check out your blog and follow back 🙂
Thank you
I love this movie. My brother really like Killmonger and I like how they chose some great actors to fit in the African culture. Wakanda is an awesome place. Wakanda Forever!
Black Panther was such a great film. They certainly did a great job defining all the characters and the nation of Wakanda. A superb addition to the MCU 🙂
I agree. I think Marvel wanted us to see what would Wakanda would look like and it looks awesome. The cast were amazing.
I think Black Panther had an exceptionally good cast, and the characters were all well served by the great script.
I agree. This movie had a great hero, villain and supporting characters.
Marvel films have sometimes struggles with portraying the villains, or making them convincing, but they really got it right will Killmonger in Black Panther.
I thought Killmonger was really great. He became one of my favorite villains besides Loki.
Agreed, he was a great villain, also really like Loki as well.
Loki was awesome. I later like him for his sarcasm and witty behavior.