There’s a scene in “Black Panther” where T’Challa, the king of Wakanda who doubles as the superhero says, “Wise men build bridges while fools build barriers.”
Marvel Studios proved themselves wise by building a bridge to black movie goers with their latest film “Black Panther.”
Plenty was at stake for the first all-black super hero film with a major studio release. The film that officially opens on Friday, February 16 is already a blockbuster based on the record-breaking pre-sales. But the success and buzz of the film is made sweeter by the fact that the film lives up to every single bit of the hype. “Black Panther” gets so much right with film that one hardly knows where to begin.
There is Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole’s storyline, Rachel Morrison’s visually stunning cinematography and Ruth Carter’s vibrant costumes – she had a hand from St. Louis native Kevin Mayes, who served as her head tailor. There is also the music, both Ludwig Göransson’s score and the Kendrick Lamar curated original soundtrack. There is the unapologetic blackness overload and homage to Africa.
A major studio release that showcases black people as undisputed heroes, leaders in culture and technology while providing a moral standard comes with a set of emotions that is nearly impossible to describe. “Black Panther” is a great look for black people – and good film, period.
On the heels of Rocky franchise film “Creed,” director and co-writer Ryan Coogler is three-for-three as far as his films go, but “Black Panther” exalts him into his own territory as a director with the pace, performances and transitions he brings to the screen.
The film is not perfect, but it is as close as one could expect from a franchise that follows a predictable format where it is understood that good will triumph over evil. Still, the way the story unfolds is so fresh and compelling, that it makes up for knowing how the film will end from the beginning.
Based on the character of the same name that Marvel founder Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created back in 1966, it took 50 years for Black Panther to make it to the big screen in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War.”
The “Black Panther” storyline essentially picks up where it left off in “Captain America: Civil War” – T’Challa inherits the kingdom of Wakanda with the sudden and untimely death of his father T’Chaka. But he faces constant threats to the throne from the moment he is crowned.
On the surface, the fictional African nation he now leads appears to be a poor nation that is just too proud to accept international aid. But they are intentionally hiding a thriving first-world nation with technology and possessions that would make them a world leader. They avoided colonization – and kept their riches in science and natural resources a secret to protect themselves.
Nemesis Killmonger, an American who is aware of the power that lies within the nation, is intent on coming for T’Challa’s crown. As the two square off, audiences see that good-versus-evil isn’t always black and white – and that villains can sometimes be a product of their environment.
As high as the bar is set in the production value and storyline, they pale in comparison to performances in “Black Panther.”
Chadwick Boseman solidified himself as the next black leading man as the anchor of “Black Panther.” His performance is stunning as he dives in and out of the range of emotions of a newly crowned king that must navigate his way through unforeseen turmoil before he has a chance to get settled into the throne.
Enough can’t be said about the supporting players. Each and of them – no matter how bit the part – make their presence known as an invaluable asset. Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o is well-paired as T’Challa’s love interest Nakia. As is Michael B. Jordan as Black Panther’s nemesis Killmonger.
But the most valuable players in this film aside from Boseman are found within the smaller roles. Veterans Angela Bassett and Forest Whitaker yield to the rising talent in the film. He doesn’t get much screen time, but St. Louis native Sterling K. Brown is charged with setting the tone for the film – which he does with ease as N’Jobu, the revolutionary younger brother of T’Chaka.
Danai Gurira is the epitome of strength and grace as the general of Black Panther’s all-woman army. Letitia Wright lights up the screen as T’Challa’s precocious yet brilliant sister Shuri, who heads up technology for Wakanda at the tender age of 16. But the most formidable performance among the featured players belongs to Winston Duke, who plays tribal leader M’Baku. “Black Panther” is the first feature film for the actor who, like his co-stars Nyong’o and Bassett, is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama. The power and presence he emits through the portrayal while still managing to charm and provide comic relief with the added pressure of the magnitude of the film means that he – much like the “Black Panther” franchise – is destined for greatness.
Black Panther opens in theatres nationwide on Friday, February 16. The film is rated PG-13 with a running time of 134 minutes.
