Opening day February 16th 2018, I took my son as an early birthday present to see Marvel'sBlack Panther. Both of us had been excited for this movie since seeing the trailers months back. I had tweeted in January what "What Black Panther meant to me as a Gen X woman of color who had little strong role models to truly look up to, especially during my high school years. The closet depictions for positive representation for me were the Cosby Show and A Different World. Movie wise the 90s were the highlight of what I dubbed Hollywood’s Thug wave of Boyz in the Hood, New Jack City type movies which showed a life I could not relate to. It felt nice to tweet to others what it meant to see this movie and see their positive responses. But I was not prepared for how well I would enjoy this movie. I know some will say “oh my you loved Black Panther...big shock there!” Sarcasm noted, but seriously there are so many layers to why this movie did an excellent job for me and I will break down the layers here in this in depth review. Now I have waited a few days to post this, but I will warn for those who have not yet seen this movie stop here. Spoilers will be shared as I break down what the themes and characters of this movie.
You have been warned…
Character depth was immense in this movie
I think I should start with the thing that really impressed me most about this movie, the characters, and their multi layers and development. It goes without saying that so many super hero movies rely so heavily on the same tropes of good guy fight bag guy, saves girl and day. But with Black Panther you saw a new dynamic to both the good guys/gals and the main antagonists. It was refreshing to see this.
I will start with the hero himself T'Challa, Chadwick Boseman's portrayal of this man who had been raised to become king and a hero was poignantly done. The fact that despite knowing this was what he was raised to be, the doubt he carried so much doubt inside of him. Add the fact that he was still haunted by the loss of his father T'Chaka, I felt his character touched so much emotional depth. And to that I must credit John Kani's poignant portrayal of a flawed yet revered man in King T’Chaka. When he utters the line “what kind of failure of a father must I have been to not prepare my son for my death?” Chills...it hit me as parent, not many if any of us prepare our children for life after we are gone. To hear him say this, it struck a chord of emotion with in me and from what it sound like many of the audience. The depth of both T'Challa and T'Chaka as kings yet men who have flaws as mighty as their strengths was so well done. And I loved the way the story flowed with T'Chaka's folly,which led to the creation of the main antagonist of this movie. T’Chaka’s need to stick so rigidly to tradition is a perfect example of the conflict of Black male Patriarchy. To be strong and hold onto traditions even if those traditions turn family into enemies, was a very good warning message to those unwilling to change themselves.
KillMonger was a look at so many young black men raised without their fathers or hope
Speaking of changing ones self (or being unable to because of how his world was shattered...) Micheal B. Jordan as Erik (KillMonger) was a brilliant look at how it feels to be an outcast. His character showed the effects of being abandoned, cast out and left behind. And how losing your “true hero” your father, can make a young man turn into a cold blooded monster. He came across as eloquent and slick, but had such a heartless rage inside of him. Which he displays not only in the killing of his allies, but in the way he took control of the Wakandan Crown. So removed from his people he wish to salt the Earth of their traditions. His rage may have been justified, but his twist into an uncaring fully fledged killing machine truly spoke of those lost boys who grow up without their fathers due to jail, death by gang violence, or even worse yet to the hands of Law enforcement officers in what I call legalized Lynching. He is their rage, their pain, and sadly he took the path of pure hate like so many often do. In the end said hate led to his ultimate destruction. When he gave the line,“I will not be in locked away, bury me in the ocean so that I can be like my people who jumped (from slave ships) because they knew death was better than bondage...” I will admit right here to crying for him, for what he could have been if his Uncle T'Chaka had giving Erik a chance to at least be raised among his family. Instead of leaving behind and shunning the boy after murdering his father. I know with how the scenario played out (with Erik’s father N’Jobu betraying Wakanda) there was little wiggle room for elder brother T’Chaka to do much else. But Killmonger's arc truly had me lamenting the loss of this young man’s potential. I wonder what would he have been if he had been able to embrace his Wakanda heritage? Or had at least had his father in his life a little longer? His own father lamented not being able to bring Erik home or achieve spiritual homecoming himself. With N’Jobu’s spirit trapped in the inner city US, the tears he cries at how cold his son had become was another powerful father and son moment in this movie. The power of this was so heartbreaking and poignant, it perfectly contrasted T’Chaka and T’Challa’s spiritual reunion. It speaks in volumes of so many lost young souls and their lack of Patriarchal guidance.
The true stars of the show In my opinion: The women of Wakanda!
I cannot go into character review without high praise for the women of this movie! Mrs Angela Bassett, Ms Danai Gurira, Ms Lupita Nyong'o, and Ms Letitia Wright were each so amazing. They showed deep depth and strengths in so many different ways. With Mrs Basset as Queen Ramonda, who had endured the lost of her King, the rise of her son to the throne. Then to experience what she thought was his death at the hands of Killmonger. Mrs Bassett sold her rage, pain and grief so heartfelt it was hard to keep my eyes dry. Her inner resolve to stand up to the new “King,” and her love and devotion to both her son and daughter showed how the bonds of motherhood is so strong.
Female Empowerment was portrayed in many ways in Black Panther
While Danai Gurira's portrayal of Okoye was so brilliant I had to tweet to her about how I am so overjoyed to know that little girls will see her character as a perfect mix of beauty, strength, grace and intelligence. She also had some well timed comedic moments that made her a well rounded heart warming character. Not surprising I am a huge fan of her portrayal of Michonne on AMC’s The Walking Dead, so I have nothing but praise to heap on Ms. Gurira and her range of acting.
This Movie broke so many barriers in regards to capability and women of color
And speaking of intelligence, Letitia Wright not only scene stole with her sharp wit and tongue, but she showed fierce intelligence. With a mind for science and technology, that was not afraid to try the unknown. For her the world is an open experiment, and the gadgets and technology she creates along with her ability to heal injuries as serious as spinal damage... I could just imagine little girls looking up to her and seeing that they can be more than what society makes of them. That women can embrace a love of tech and science, that their place in this world is not dictated by their sexual appeal or reproductive capabilities shone through with Shuri and makes her one of my favorites in the whole movie.
Blowing up the Hollywood myth on who can play spies
Lupita Nyong'o as Nakita blew away for me any excuse that people give that people of color cannot be spies in blockbuster movies. I have heard this nonsense said by so many, like when it is suggested Idris Elba in the role James Bond. Ms Nyong’o took that role full on! She showed that not only can people of color be excellent spies, but Nakita’s depth was vast. From her need to help others despite her royal heritage, she went from stopping Ivory Traders, tor rescuing kidnap victims of pillaging men. I had chills when she stops her then former lover T'Challa from harming a young boy who was more than likely forced into the militia group. Her compassion for others, her ability to blend in, and speak foreign languages makes me long for more spy movies where my people can show off such range. I loved how her character shows young women of color, that if they want a future that involves working for the CIA, FBI, or any Intelligence agency that we are more than capable of such.
Black Panther had such a well rounded cast of characters
I cannot skip giving praise as I wrap up this character part to the men of this movie Daniel Kaluuya as W’Kabi, and Winston Duke as M’Baku, were more than just strong silent warriors. With Mr Duke having a role that took him from Rival to ally, but did not come across as cliché as that normally does in movies. His role will hopefully be expanded in this series future, as well as Mr. Kaluuya's.While Andy Serkis of Lord of the Rings Fame (Gollum...Thanks RadarLady!) as Ulysses Klause, was a portrayal of an amazingly psychotic bastard! I could not help but love and hate his character all at the same time. Mr Serkis had some brilliantly funny moments especially involving his singing. But my most major props go to Martin Freeman as Everett K Ross, who showed how one can go from being ignorant of ones allies, to becoming a true ally and friend. His back and forth with Shuri, the way he came around after underestimating Wakanda was executed excellently by the Hobbit star. It was an amazing look at character growth that truly made me love this movie.
The movie’s core messages were given with a perfect flow, I felt total immersion as well
Spiritual messages permeated throughout, life after death. Social issues touched upon, the theme of choosing between hiding away as the world goes to hell or stepping up and being there for your people and beyond. And I must say as an African American woman, I loved how our people's struggle was delivered in such a well balanced way. Unlike some who feared this movie would push agenda's down people's throat, I did not feel that way at all. I found that the message about both the historical and present struggles for African Americans and Africans in general, was framed well in the back drop of T'Challa and Killmonger’s struggle for power. It did not feel overused, it did not feel forced. It was a natural flow with the movie's theme, and did not take away from the core message of love, growth and unity. I truly felt transported by this movie, I was immerse from beginning to end! Wakanda felt real, alive and vibrant, the cinematography for the city, and environmental shots were amazing! From beginning to end I felt transported into this movie. Speaking of the end, it left a nice Easter Egg at the very end credits to tie into the upcoming Civil War sequel. Captain America Fans will love it! Trust me on this.
I only had one true nitpick...
All in all if I had anything to nitpick about with this movie, it was a few action sequences where the lighting was abysmal. I do not like watching fights where I can barely tell what is going on (I went for the IMAX experience and it was still hard to see). And having characters in dark suits fighting in a not very well lit atmosphere is very annoying. I will definitely have to re watch a few scenes due to the lighting issues. But all in all, comedy, drama, characters with depth and growth was the heart of this movie and why I definitely recommend it to anyone.
Representation matters, and It is my hope that Hollywood continues this path
My hopes for Black Panther go deep. I hope that more movies like this are made. I hope that one day young Americans of all ethnic backgrounds can see their culture represented so respectfully on the big screen. That even if it is said representation is done in a fictional setting, that they can one day see a hero that looks like them, whether they are boys, girls, black, white, non black POC, LGBT... Representation matters! And I feel this movie for me and many others is a step in a good direction for Hollywood. I hope they keep this up, and that they take more chances to allow others to see themselves on the big screen.
Thank you all for reading my review of Black Panther I hope that if you like or agree, or even disagree. that you share your comments below. Please lets not let this devolve folks, constructive critique of this movie or article is appreciated but rudeness is not. Thank you again.
*Edits done, fixed a few caught grammar errors may have missed more. And thank you for the comments about Lord of the Rings and Hobbit actors Martin Freeman and Andy Serkis. You guys are amazing!*
