Black Panther

BLACK PANTHER

Director : Ryan Coogler

Year : 2018

Genre : Superhero

Rating : ****

Having revolutionised the superhero film 10 years ago with 'Iron Man', it seems somewhat fitting that as it enters its second decade, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) once again changes the face of the genre with 'Black Panther' -  Ryan Coogler's much talked about blockbuster that heralds the triumphant arrival of a new Avenger whose Pan-African lineage represents a seismic shift in the perception of black cinema.

After his father is brutally assassinated (as seen in 'Captain America : Civil War'), the young Prince T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is named the King of Wakanda, a seemingly poor and desolate land whose dishevelled exterior is in fact, a facade. In reality, Wakanda is the most technologically advanced nation on Earth, a thriving metropolis of flying cars, neon-lit monorails and super advanced weaponry all powered by the mysterious element known as Vibranium. Of course, this prosperous land is highly sought after and the naive T'Challa must face a number of adversaries to protect his crown, the most dangerous of whom is Michael B. Jordan's bloodthirsty mercenary Erik Kilmonger, a vengeful exile who plans to take the throne for himself and turn Wakanda's weapons against those who have surpressed and enslaved the black people of the world.

As it is to be expected from a film in this most esteemed of franchises, 'Black Panther' contains the usual action sequences, exciting chases and abundance of CG effects that are the norm for the genre. However, the great thing about 'Black Panther' is that its focus isn't on the superhero but rather the man underneath the suit. For a great deal of the film, Chadwick Boseman isn't in the iconic black costume and while this may irritate some of the audience who have gone in to see a standard superhero blockbuster, I greatly appreciated the time director Ryan Coogler spent to develop his myriad of characters and well as the extraordinary world in which they live.

As has been widely reported, the cast of 'Black Panther' is predominantly Pan-African, with black actors from across the globe being brought in to portray the inhabitants of Wakanda and its neighbouring territories. At its centre, Chadwick Boseman does a terrific job as the soft-spoken T'Challa, excelling in both the dialogue-heavy sequences (many of which are subtitled) and the rip-roaring action scenes which are sure to illicit big cheers from audiences. 

But of course, a hero is only as good as his villain and Kilmonger, brilliantly played by Coogler collaborator Michael B. Jordan ('Fruitvale Station', 'Creed'), may just be the most volatile antagonist in the MCU to date. However, unlike many of other his villainous counterparts, Kilmonger is given enough back story to justify his murderous motives, standing up as a voice for the long-oppressed rather than as a purveyor of senseless destruction.

Great too are Academy Award winner Lupita N'yongo who excels as Nakia, a Wakandan spy and the object of T'Challa's affection, 'The Walking Dead's Danai Gurira who breathes fearsome life into Okoye, the spear-wielding general of Wakanda's all-female special forces and England's own Letitia Wright who is both funny and charming as T'Challa's sister and Wakanda's chief of technology Shuri. However, as is to be expected, T'Challa is the main focus here and his arc from reluctant heir to noble King is one of the most fascinating in the entire Marvel universe.

Taking various elements from multiple African cultures, 'Black Panther' is a movie fiercely proud of its heritage and this pride is reflected in the beautiful costume design, Coogler's typically naturalistic visual aesthetic and the music which deftly switches from traditional Continental rhythms to Kendrick Lemar's suitably urban R&B tunes. At a time when modern populist cinema predominantly consists of Western ideals and Caucasian actors, it is both fascinating and exciting to see a movie as national as 'Black Panther' score so well with both audiences and critics - unequivocal proof that a film doesn't have to be set in America to be hugely successful. Like 'In The Heat of the Night' (1967), 'Straight Outta Compton' (2015) and 'Blade' (1998) before it, 'Black Panther' marks a cataclysmic turning point for Pan-African cinema and I hope that movie producers in the future come to realise that an actor doesn't have to have white skin to be a box office draw. 

In all honesty, for all of its innovations, the film isn't perfect. At 134 minutes, it does overstay its welcome and while the performances are consistently great, some of the characters aren't as well developed as others. However, these hiccups don't detract from what is a truly phenomenal cinematic experience that not only stands as a worthy entry in Marvels indomitable franchise but as a stand alone feature. Yes, 'Black Panther' may not be the best movie in the MCU but its groundbreaking cultural significance is destined to be talked about for years, if not decades to come. It is a dazzling, thrilling and hugely entertaining rollercoaster ride that manages to reflect the civil rights origins of the eponymous character without sacrificing the charm, charisma or fun synonymous with the franchise and I greatly look forward to seeing his Royal Highness bravely fighting alongside his fellow Avengers in the eagerly anticipated 'Infinity Wars' this April. Long live the King!