Warning: Spoilers ahead for Marvel Studios’ ‘Black Panther’
Black Panther is the best movie to come out of the MCU. There may be some debate whether or not it can dethrone Captain America: Winter Soldier which currently holds that title, but Black Panther has what it takes to grab the top spot. It has a great plot, great character chemistry all around, and some amazing action. The things that allow Black Panther to be an amazing movie are the villain Kilmongee (played by Michael B. Jordan), the soundtrack for the movie, and the wonder known as Shuri (played by Letita Wright).
Marvel can’t seem to produce any intriguing villains for the MCU other than Loki, but Erik Kilmonger is a fascinating character. The reason he is so fascinating is because he is a relatable character for lot of people who have been and feel oppressed. He didn’t have the pleasure of growing up in a royal family like the Black Panther and having the better things in life. He grew up in a world where they would rather discard him and keep him down, but he did everything he possibly could to overcome those obstacles. Kilmonger is an intelligent, strong, and driven man, but was still resentful for not being accepted by Wakanda or America. Kilmonger is what a man can become when anger, revenge, and resentment consumes a person.
Black Panther has the best soundtrack for any movie in the MCU hands down. It set the tone for so many amazing scenes in the movie. Whether it was Too Short playing at the beginning to set the scene in Oakland, California in 1992, the amazing car chase in South Korea where Vince Staples and Kendrick Lamar is playing, or even the amazing song playing at the end of the movie by Kendrick Lamar and SZA. Many people tend to overlook the soundtrack for a movie, but shouldn’t because it can only enhance the viewing of a film. The work Kendrick Lamar and company put into this soundtrack did not go unnoticed and I hope other films start to incorporate more original music into movies as well.
Shuri was just pure joy whenever she was on screen. Not only was she intelligent, she was funny, witty, and a fighter. Letita Wright brought so much life to this character and wasn’t just relegated to being just a whiz kid. The chemistry that she and Chadwick Boseman have together as brother and sister is delightful. These two understand the dynamic of brother and sister relationship because they were close, they made each other laugh, and had a lot of love for one another. Letita Wright also showed that Shuri is fighter when she needs to be and won’t let others do the fighting for her.
There is so much I have to say about this movie. Chadwick Boseman continues to play the part of T’Challa/Black Panther masterfully. He grows so much as a person and a leader in this movie and will only benefit him in the upcoming Avengers movie. All the women in this movie played the roles beautifully whether it was Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Danai Gurira as Okoye, or Angela Bassett as Ramonda. All these women were strong, had minds of their own, and didn’t back away from a challenge. I can’t forget Winston Duke as M’Baku because he probably has the most character growth out of anyone else in the movie. His character arc totally changes in the movie and it certainly changes for the better. Michael B. Jordan’s role as Kilmonger will be talked about for a long time because he makes you feel sorry for the character because many people, including myself, have felt the same way he has about this country and the world we live in.
Black Panther will also show Hollywood that people of color are great storytellers and that people will show up in droves if you let them tell their story. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this franchise and hope Marvel allows the Black Panther to flourish.
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