Black Panther Review

To the horror of the white supremists and racists everywhere, Black Panther is a movie which shows the dark skinned African as not just the best in the world, but above, way way above the average first world country.

Welcome to the new world. This film is quite an achievement. Not just in filmmaking, but also in cultural and social impact.

Black Panther follows the story of T’challa who we first met in Civil War and his ongoing fight to secure his secretive kingdom Wakanda.

The movie:

Black Panther is a slick film, its like Lion King meets James bond. It has its bond-ish villain, the gadgets and T’challa’s own sister is the wakandan version of Q. but the film goes on to be much more than just a stylish slicker and has some good message about nations and helping the people around you.

The direction:

Ryan coogler is a relatively new director with just 3 films total till date. However, he has made some good films, Fruitvale station, creed both hit the ball out of the park and this movie too is a directorial homerun. The film manages to humanize the villain, show that heroes and the past isn’t perfect and sometimes the old way of life can exist with new ways without causing conflicts. All this along with great sense of characters and timing of dialogs, comedy or seriousness, these are some of this director’s win for this film.

The movie does not come across as cheesy or campy, but it still has the tribal feel, even with new technology and superheroes.

And, That is the best part of the film…

It does not feel like a superhero film at all, it’s like we forget they are superheroes, the conflict boils down to the key issues. The use of technology and costumes is secondary. Which is how it always must be…

The Acting:

This movie is a whos who of the Black community in Hollywood. From Forest whitaker to Angela Bassett, not to mention Get Out’s Daniel Kaluuya, the actors are all top notch and they bring their acting chops to the film.

Chadwick Boseman is quite effortless as T’Challa, he shows how he is a king and a warrior. He was excellent in Civil War and continues here with a powerful performance. He also has a humourous side, which he tries to hide, but sometimes comes through.

Other notable performance is the role of T’challa’s sister Shuri. She is quirky but just the right amount and can fight when she has to. I personally would love to see her interaction with Tony Stark if there is ever such a scenario.

The Music & Sounds :

This movie wouldn’t work is not for the sounds and music. The feel of the music is definitely African and for us 80’s kids, the sound track at times reminds us of the Lion King.

The songs used go well with the film and there is a very deadpool moment where Ulysses Klaue Played by the legendary Andy Serkis (last seen in Age of Ultron), shouts to his henchman to start the music, this isn’t a funeral and then the song blasts away during the action.

Overall :

The film has many goods, but it is not without its negatives.

They have done a smart thing with the film. This film is most isolated film in the new MCU as they know a LOT of new people will see this film due to its cultural relevance. Many of those who haven’t been following the Marvel Movies. Therefore, this film stands on its own and the events of Civil War is recapped (in brief) to help this movie’s plot flow better.

Now the films biggest problem, due to this same thing, nothing happens in this film, which has any impact on the larger MCU, except maybe the last post credit scene. If someone does not see this film, skips from Civil War to Infinity War, they would not miss a beat. Everything comes back to the same after the film. The movie’s plot neatly ties itself up without anything actually happening.

This makes this film, redundant.

Not to mention the film’s plot is more or less a remake of Iron Man 2 with more Africa and a much better villain.

So don’t go in expecting a Thor Ragnarok, the events of which has changed the marvel’s universe!

Rating :

7.5 / 10.

This is a damn good film, lots of fun action, surprising and non cliché moments. The VFX is stupendous and truly one of the best marvel films of phase 3, but then again unlike DC marvel REALLY knows what it is doing so far!

Add to this 7.5 score the historical and cultural relevance of this film, I give a final score of 9 / 10.