Finally got out to see my second movie in 2018. As a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I had been looking forward to seeing “Black Panther” — an origin story about the superhero introduced to the big screen in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War.”
Marvel has been at this in earnest the past decade. Generally speaking, Kevin Feige & Co. tend to deliver the goods. They know how to make compelling dramas out of the massive catalog of source material available to their stable of filmmakers.
“Black Panther” tells the story of T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) — the prince “who would be king” of Wakanda after the death of his father T’Chaka (John Kani). The movie picks up a short time after the events of “Captain America: Civil War.”
Wakanda is a fictional nation in the heart of Africa — surrounded by mountains and jungle and hidden away from prying eyes. A meteorite composed of vibranium (the stuff Captain America’s shield is constructed from) hit the nation long ago, and the substance (which is incredibly rare) has led to all variety of technological advances in the society — including, but not limited to, Black Panther’s suit.
As a result, there are many interested parties trying to get their hands on the rare metal. But the Wakandans work diligently to control access to their world, and their sphere of influence in the outside world.
In the early stages of the movie, we find a man named Erik Stevens (Michael B. Jordan) perusing a museum, showing interest in an ancient axe on display. It turns out the blade is made of vibranium, and Erik — with the help of an arms dealer named Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) — stage a robbery.
T’Challa and the crew in Wakanda are interested in Klaue’s exploits. We learn that T’Challa’s father investigated Klaue back in 1992 for stealing vibranium from Wakanda.
The artifact heist results in T’Challa, Okoye (Danai Gurira), and Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) heading on a mission to South Korea to retrieve the artifact, and capture Klaue.
The sequence takes place in a casino that looks like it stepped out of the James Bond movie “Skyfall.” Also at the casino is CIA Agent Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman) — and he is about to make an exchange for the vibranium axe head.
This results in a shootout and fight sequence in the casino, and a chase on the streets of Busan — eventually leading to an interrogation of Klaue.
We learn that Erik Stevens isn’t a simple criminal. Ross informs our heroes that Stevens is a former Navy SEAL and JSOC operator — who registered kills for the U.S. government in various foreign excursions. He goes by the name “Killmonger.”
One of the movie’s most enjoyable characters is the cute and feisty Shuri (Letitia Wright). In addition to being T’Challa’s sister, she is also the tech-nerd for Black Panther — a la “Q” in the James Bond franchise.
There is a lot going on in “Black Panther.” As is the case with Marvel’s origin stories in the MCU, a considerable amount of exposition and world building can be unleashed on viewers. That’s especially true in the first half of “Black Panther.”
We get to see the ceremonial rituals behind T’Challa's rise to power. We learn a variety of things (and see a variety of set pieces) regarding the mythology guiding Wakandan lore.
I don’t want to delve into too many spoilers (even though it seems like the entire universe has seen “Black Panther” at this point), but as the movie progresses, the very foundation of Wakandan civilization is threatened — which means our entire planet is under the gun.
I don’t want to delve into too many spoilers (even though it seems like the entire universe has seen “Black Panther” at this point), but as the movie progresses, the very foundation of Wakandan civilization is threatened — which means our entire planet is under the gun.
The inevitable question is whether or not “Black Panther” is the “best superhero movie in years” (as some of have suggested)...?
In my mind, 2014’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is the benchmark as it regards recent superhero movies — especially those in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Truth be told, the past 12 months have seen some terrific entries in the “superhero genre” at the box office. “Wonder Woman,” “Logan,” and “Thor: Ragnarok” breathed new life into filmed superhero tomes in 2017.
“Black Panther” is a solid entry as well. Director Ryan Coogler built a stylized adventure that sets up the superhero for future adventures.
I liked the tone and style of “Black Panther” quite a lot — along with the attractive cast. In my mind, future “Black Panther” movies have the opportunity to spend less time with “world building” and “origin-story exposition,” and instead delve more into the characters — especially as they are fighting foes around the globe.
The ending of “Black Panther” provides a launching pad for such stories (it appears the team might gear up in Los Angeles in the future).
I look forward to each entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As the years have progressed, the entire franchise has become a multi-layered cake — rich and robust worlds teeming with compelling characters, beautiful settings, and immersive mythologies.
I’m excited to see more of Black Panther in April’s “Avengers: Infinity War.”
“Wakanda will no longer watch from the shadows. We can not. We must not. We will work to be an example of how we, as brothers and sisters on this earth, should treat each other” -- T’Challa, “Black Panther”
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