First things first...if you haven't purchased your tickets to see Black Panther yet, stop reading and go buy your tickets! This is an absolute must see, which I'm sure you've already heard by now!
**THERE ARE SPOILERS**
Let's start with the question, "Can you go wrong with Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan?" The answer is a definitive, "No!" followed by, "See Creed and Fruitvale Station!" Once again, Ryan Coogler has done a phenomenal job of writing and directing a film, and specifically another film that is part of a series with die-hard fans. Coogler gave us a great story about not only T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman), or Black Panther, but about Wakanda, and to some extent about the African Diaspora. The film also introduces other rich characters from Wakanda, not shying away from revealing some of their backstories. We also learn a great deal about their character, as they are faced with difficult decisions. It was also great to see how the film incorporated various aspects of the rich cultures that can be found in Africa. Speaking of, let's take a moment for the fashion!
Michael B. Jordan did an amazing job playing N'Jdaka Erik Killmonger, T'Challa's main opponent throughout the film and cousin. Though Killmonger is Black Panther's biggest antagonist, with the film's revelation of what drives Killmonger, it's easy to not completely dislike him. Understanding where he is coming from, feeling abandoned by Wakanda both as an African-American in America and as a child of a prince of Wakanda, Prince N'Jobu (Sterling K. Brown), one can understand some of his stances and actions (not all, but some). More importantly, his background, philosophy, and ambitions really helped bring to the surface many topics and conversations of interest within the African Diaspora.
As a slight tangent, but still related to Killmonger and N'Jobu, OAKLAND! So N'Jobu is a war dog in Oakland, which is where he met the mother of Killmonger and where Killmonger was born and raised. Oakland is also Coogler's hometown, as well as the location of Coogler and Jordan's first film together (based on a true story), Fruitvale Station. It is also the birthplace of the Black Panther Party, though the introduction of the Black Panther character to the Marvel Comics predates the official establishment of the Black Panther Party by 3 months.
It was interesting to see the storyline really focus on Wakanda and its role in the world, especially during this time of transition for Wakanda. The film starts just a week after T'Challa's father is killed in Captain America: Civil War. There's a lot of talk about how the country was run in the past and where it should go in the future. It's clear that Wakanda has been able to preserve its resources mostly because it hides in the shadows and only fights when it has to, and yet there is a pull by the newer generation of leaders to step into the light and use their resources to help other Black people throughout the world stand up against their oppressors. This line of reasoning is not just coming from Killmonger. It's also coming from Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o), T'Challa's love interest who is a spy working to help others throughout the world, and W'Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya), close friend of T'Challa who is willing to send men of his tribe around the world to help others stand up against oppressors and colonizers (though he does not want refugees coming to Wakanda).
Oppressors and colonizers are terms used a lot in the film, in fact Shuri's (Letitia Wright) first statement to Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman) was, "Don't scare me like that, colonizer." And it wasn't necessarily being used in a challenging, demeaning, or argumentative way. It was more reflective of the different power dynamic within Wakanda, and more importantly to the bigger conversation going on in Wakanda, it was also reflective of acknowledgment of what was and had been going on outside of Wakanda. Another clear example of this different power dynamic and understanding of what has been taking place throughout the world outside of Wakanda, is when M'Baku (Winston Duke) refuses to allow Everett to speak in his presence.
Couple all of the aforementioned dynamics of the film with the amount of time dedicated to rituals, culture, and spirituality in Wakanda, and it makes for a film that feels a bit different from the other films in the MCU (or at least the ones I've seen). This is especially so because most of the fighting takes place in Wakanda, is between Wakandans, and many are part of a ritual or tradition. This is as opposed to learning the story of one individual while also watching them fight some other external force trying to destroy/take over the world/universe. This is really a fight about who is going to lead Wakanda into the future and what does Wakanda's future role in the world look like.
The fighting is still exciting and amazing though! There are car chase scenes with gunfire from Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) and his crew, but for the most part the fighting includes hand-to-hand combat with spears, swords, and the occasional rhino! Marvel is equal opportunity when it comes to fighting, and the women of Wakanda are very skillful and courageous fighters. Keep in mind also that Wakanda is way ahead of the rest of the world when it comes to technology and is the source of vibranium. So technology and the power of vibranium also plays a major role in the fight sequences. On a related note, the scenery and special effects are on point, especially in the car chase scene and final fight between T'Challa and Killmonger!
With actors like Jordan, Boseman, Brown, Nyong'o, Kaluuya, Angela Bassett, and Forest Whitaker, there was no question about the level of acting to expect! Danai Gurira and Wright both did an excellent job, as well! However, with the lines he was given and the way he delivered them, Duke's performance as M'Baku was definitely one of my favorites in the film, and I look forward to seeing him in Avengers: Infinity War! Other standouts were Nyong'o, Wright, Jordan, and of course Boseman.
Now let's talk box office for a minute. Largest ticket presales in first 24 hour on Fandango for a Marvel film. Outsold ALL previous superhero films two weeks before release sales on Fandango, including surpassing Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Highest ticket presales after 18 days of sales for ANY superhero movies at Alamo Drafthouse (which is where I went to see it for the first and second time Thursday evening). Out-selling all Marvel films at AMC Theaters. Most advanced IMAX ticket sales of any Marvel film. Fourth-highest presale tickets sold, only following Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and Rogue One!
Furthermore, it currently has a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 87 on Metacritic, the highest rated MCU film! To put that into perspective, the next highest is Iron Man with 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 79 on Metacritic. Also keep in mind, Iron Man is the first MCU film, so that's about 17 MCU films ago!
Okay...so you should already have your tickets. Wondering if you need to watch any of the previous 17 films to follow what's going on? Nope! Wondering if you should watch any of the of the previous 17 films? Perhaps at least Captain America: Civil War, which is the first time Black Panther is introduced in the MCU films. It was recommended to me that I watch Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Captain America: Civil War (in that order). I did, and I'm glad I did.
Furthermore, since Black Panther and Wakanda will be part of Avengers: Infinity War, and with these sales hopefully there'll be a Black Panther sequel, I've decided to go ahead and watch all of the MCU films and tv/Netflix series that are already out and as they are coming out. But again, for the most part, Black Panther is its own complete story by itself. So you do not have to watch any previous films, but the other films will give you greater context and a deeper understanding of what all is going on. And if this is your first MCU film, and you don't plan on watching the other ones, I'll save you some time and tell you there's no point in you staying for the scene after the credits. For the rest us, as always, never leave an MCU film before the credits end, even if the lights come on!
I could go on and on about the amazingness that is Black Panther, and its ability to create and bring together the stories of several dynamic characters with their own rich backgrounds and storylines, while also speaking to very real topics and issues. I highly recommend you go and see for yourself!
10/10