That time when one of the most culturally significant pieces of recent media was in the form of a Hollywood Blockbuster Comic Book Movie.
Wakanda is a technologically advanced nation thanks to the large deposit of Vibranium that it sits on. Because of this, they’ve decided to hide in secrecy to keep their tech and science research out of the hands of other nations that may use it for their own advancements in the arms race. When a young man from Oakland sets his eyes on the throne of this civilization, it is up to T’Challa, the current Black Panther to keep their secrets out of the wrong hands. Unknown to him, this young man has ties to the nation of Wakanda.
This is a movie that we need now more than ever. It is Ryan Coogler’s latest movie and it follows in the footsteps of Creed and Fruitvale station. We explore the clashing of two cultures, one derived from traditional African heritage, and the other from the real modern city of Oakland, California. Taking a peek into the lives of these young men, although a piece of fiction, gives audiences an insight into the black experience.
As we go through the movie, I was so captivated by the Nation of Wakanda. It’s amazing how such a vast and expansive world is unfolded through just one movie. Integrating modern structures, future tech, and tradition, this sprawling city is one that I want to see more of. On its borders, one of the tribes disguises themselves as an indigenous tribe that lives in simple huts. In the mountains live another tribe that is acclimated to the cold. Even the mines of The Mound are a vast area that we only get to scratch the surface of in the movie.
These areas help build a visual style for the movie. Whenever we are in Wakanda, it is always filled with vibrant colors. The sky is very blue and the sunsets are breathtaking. The details that separate the tribe elders are very distinct and although we don’t explore every tribe, this is a nice addition. Keeping with the theme of modern meets future meets tradition, the clothes that the inhabitants of this nation reflect this well.
What I liked about this new solo movie is that it doesn’t spend the whole movie telling us its origins. We are greeted with a well-summarized history of Black Panther and Wakanda, keeping close to the origins of the comic books. Although he was previously introduced, the movie does a good job bringing us up to date, making this good enough to stand on its own.
***Warning: Spoilers***
The cast shines in this latest entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Chadwick Boseman reprises his role of Black Panther, a young Prince of Wakanda who is thrown into taking over as king after the events in Captain America: Civil War. Michael B. Jordan opposes his rule as Killmonger, an outsider who seeks change with Wakanda. We get a lot of new entries into the MCU, including: Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Guirira, Daniel Kaluuya, Forest Whitaker, and Angela Bassett. We are also visited by characters to tie in the greater MCU with Andy Serkis and Martin Freeman. It’s great to see a mostly black cast, all showing their strengths on screen in a blockbuster film.
The soundtrack is great and pairs well with the film. Led by Kendrick Lamar, he compiles several original songs that reflect the themes of the movie on its own. Within the film, it balances the score, bringing modern hip-hop and mashing it up with traditional drums and beats. When Black Panther is in power, we get a more traditional feel, but when Killmonger starts to intervene, the gritty hip-hop starts to take over.
The story is great, but it did come with flaws. This was a coming-of-age story for Black Panther, but it was also a war for the throne for Killmonger. The big reveal was very surprising. We get bits and pieces of story throughout the first half and when Killmonger reveals that he is actually Black Panther’s cousin, it brings everything together and turns this into a revenge story. The pacing in this first half was a little problematic as we get extended sequences of backstory with few action set pieces. The intro even goes against the grain and starts with the backstory as a cold open, instead of immediately opening with an action sequence that leads out of the Marvel title card. The first half ends with Killmonger winning the throne through ritual combat, killing the Black Panther.
After the downfall of Black Panther, the story begins to slowly pick up again. Black Panther’s allies are tasked with finding a means to overthrow this new king. Under the rule of Killmonger, the nation is ordered to supply their agents in other countries with the hidden tech to begin a worldwide overtaking. The motivations are driven by the living conditions that he grew up with, where people-of-color all over are treated unequally, relevant to our current real world issues. This starts a divide amongst the tribes, bringing them to their own Civil War.
This film is great and refreshing. It’s a cultural phenomenon and that more people are able see themselves on the big screen. Although the pacing is problematic, backed by great visuals, story, and soundtrack, this is one of the best entries into the ever growing MCU. Make sure you stay until the end of the credits, but unless you’re some person out of the loop, you probably already know to stay.