"It's hard for a Good man to be a King." Black Panther Review

Black Panther

4.5/5

Written and Directed by: Ryan Coogler

Rated: PG-13

           Wakanda is a flourishing African metropolis abounding in limitless resources, culture, heritage and technology and T'Challa is king over it all. In this time there are those who want his help, those who want his throne and those who want his head. In this dark world it is not easy for this good man to be a king, but if he meets life's challenges he can rise above them as a great ruler. Those who go through war and suffering, and stay connected with their ancestors, remain close to their families and steadfast to their virtuous ideals are heroes. This is the story of one hero. This is the story of T'Challa the Black Panther.
           Black Panther's cast of characters is lively and memorable. King T'Challa, played by a reverent and spirited Chadwick Boseman, is the film's main hero, but he is not without faults. He may be a great warrior, but behind his stalwart nature he is a troubled son without his father, the former king T'Chaka played by John Kani. T'Challa must take on the responsibilities of ruling his nation, making the difficult decisions between what is good for his people, what is good for the world and what is good for himself. These unforeseeable challenges are ones he cannot face alone, and so he surrounds himself with mentors, allies and family. Okoye, Danai Gurira, is a great warrior who fights alongside T'Challa and her nation of Wakanda. Nakia, Lupita Nyong'o, is a skilled fighter and T'Challa's former lover. Shuri, Letitia Wright, is an innovative technological designer, a hothead and T'Challa's younger sister. Wkabi, Daniel Kaluuya, is one of T'Challa's close friends, a guardian of Wakanda and Okoye's lover.
           Beyond these memorable characters, as well as plenty others, Black Panther also features worthy adversaries that audiences may want to see defeated or may want to see conquer the world. Erik Killmonger, played by a chill and malevolent Michael B. Jordan, is a radical revolutionary who will do anything to put his abused and downtrodden brothers and sisters, Africans, back on top of the world hierarchy. He will not hesitate to use lethal force, and he relishes in every one of his kills even if its one of his brothers or sisters. Killmonger's right hand man is Ulysses Klaue, played by a maniacally comical Andy Serkis, a fiendish arms dealer whose own right arm is a deadly weapon and he has precision aim. Though this is a large collection of characters and it may seem that this single film will not be able to establish and support all of them, Black Panther surprisingly puts flesh and blood on all of its characters, and it is possible audience members will find someone in this film they identify with, someone they wish they were like or even someone they see as a role model.
           With such a large fleshed out cast, it can look as if this film will feel slow or even crumble under its own extensive weight. Though this can happen a few times, Black Panther is an impressive theatrical experience that does not lose its audience. This is due to this film's primary intriguing aspect, its vast world and depiction of it. The world Black Panther creates is rich and vibrant. From its props to the locations and the costumes. Black Panther illustrates its environment through its culturally ripe aesthetic design, eye catching sets and immersive locations and battlefields. Not only does the film build a great world, but it also does not tarry too long on its world building. Black Panther establishes its world in a meaningful and intriguing manner that benefits its story, characters and audience.
           Though this film is impressive, Black Panther, like its lead hero, is not without faults. One of the few inconveniences in Black Panther is its faux digital effects. Even though most of the CGI in this film does not look real, it does not greatly detract from the film's experience. The majority of audience members will not care about this film's lacking digital effects, because they will be too mesmerized by how Black Panther uses these effects to build upon its world, story and characters. Once the film begins and its lengthy exposition is out of the way, audience members will keep their eyes on the screen, their minds engaged in the story, their hearts with the characters and their souls in Wakanda.
           As Black Panther is a Marvel movie, fans will want the film to feature heroic scenes and battles that rival those of other entries in the franchise. Luckily for Marvel fans and movie viewers alike Black Panther's action scenes are thrilling and exciting. This film knows how to build up tension, choreograph gripping close quarters combat, create intricate locations for battles, highlight the characters in combat, make their battles fun and engaging and add upon this by extraordinarily weaving two or three action sequences into one momentous cinematic climax. If the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a TV series, then Black Panther is the amazing stand alone spinoff episode that fans and casual viewers rewatch and remember long after the main series is over.

Verdict: Ryan Coogler's Black Panther is a riveting, exciting and fun theatrical experience, taking place in an engrossing location, populated with memorable heroes and villains and held together by an immersive story about heritage, world conflict and the importance of being a good man and king.