Film Review: Black Panther (2018).

All Rights Reserved to the rightful owners. © Marvel 2018.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – 4/5.

Author: Feargal Agard | Runtime: 134 min. | Director: Ryan Coogler | Year: 2018.

What an awesome film to watch! Black Panther is such a defining moment for black America. The story has an important message that’s filled with love and how hatred must be vanquished.

Black Panther tells the story of T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), who after the death of his father becomes the King of Wakanda. He returns home to the technologically advanced, but isolated African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. Before he becomes king he must be challenged and win the challenge. He soon discovers that a group of master thieves are trying to steal and sell vibranium -a special metal- to the highest bidder. In his attempts to stop them he discovers a hidden truth about his father and a few other members of the royal family. That’s not all, because he will meet his worst enemy who signifies the end of the world as we know it if he isn’t stopped.

Black Panther was directed by Ryan Coogler and the screenplay was written by him and Joe Robert Cole. It is the first American superhero film that has been directed by a black director with a black protagonist and a cast that is overtly black. It is, therefore, a defining moment for black America, because this has never occurred before in history. The film deals with a variety of thematical thropes. For example that love overcomes hate, which occurs in many films. But here it conveys that love can be a perspective that provides a better strategy to helping the ‘underprivileged’ and solving problems. Versus fighting back out of hate towards the ones who ‘colonized’ your kind which eventually turns you into them. Which would be hypocritical.

It also is a very encouraging film, because it initially conveys that there is a hidden gem -in this case Wakanda- of hope for everyone who is oppressed, despite of how their current situation is viewed. All they need to do is find it. The film also shows white allies who beared with some of the comments and jokes made by black characters. But who are also helped saved and appreciated by them as well. Proving of the bound that humans are capable of. The film stars Chadwick Boseman, Danai Gurira, Forest Whitaker, Letitia Wright, Martin Freeman, Lupita Nyong’o and Michael B. Jordan.

Although Chadwick shows a great performance it felt that the ladies stole the show, which is much appreciated. The humor that they brought to the film is very vivacious. It made the movie fun to watch and not too serious. Its nice to have a good comedic relief. Especially Letitia Wright who played the sister of prince T’Challa -later king- with her awesome and humourous responses.

Seeing strong women of African descent who are able to defend themselves is so valuable and inspirational. I can’t help think at these moments how great it would be if all African women -and all women in general- had the ability to be like that. As the film displays a lovely hint to what seemed to refer to the Chibok girls who are saved in this case. In a way stating that we haven’t forgotten them and eternalizing them in the way we would have wanted it to be for them. Slowly and surely we see more strong women in the media who inspire others. And less of the ‘damsel in distress’ who needs to rely on the saving from the male protagonist. Its an archetype from the past that still lingers in our modern times.

The special effects are of an amazing quality. We are shown beautiful vistas of African landscapes and the beautiful city of Wakanda. Even the mountains and the waterfalls are absolutely a spectacular sight to see. The clothing was gorgeous and quite on point. The characters were dressed in a most stylish way and very colorful. Even the city of Wakanda was colorful and filled with artsy graffiti and street arts on some of the walls and squares of the city. I do feel that the story could have been deeper, because the story relies on familiar Hollywood thropes, camerawork and the expected special effects. Some parts of the story were predictable

Black Panther is a must-see movie! You will be witnessing an historical moment in Hollywood history, but you’ll also enjoy seeing a film that will grab you out of reality. It will take you on a ride to the futuristic world of the Black Panther, but also the future of cinema.

In Dutch theatres as from the 14th of February 2018.

Genre: Drama, fantasy, action | Languages: English | Dutch Distributor: Walt Disney Studios.

In regard to all pictures and trailer footage. All Rights Reserved to the rightful owners. © Marvel 2018.




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