The next chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe focuses on Black Panther and the hidden nation of Wakanda. If you recall two years ago, Black Panther made his debut in Captain America: Civil War as he sided with Iron Man’s team because the Winter Soldier may have killed Wakanda’s current ruler. Now the mantle of king and the Black Panther duties fall on our hero T’Challa, who was just doing the superhero part.
I really liked this film because they avoided a repeat of the hero’s journey, something MCU recycled to the letter with Ant-Man and Dr. Strange, they both follow Iron Man‘s script. Black Panther’s journey as a superhero is easy, it’s balancing this role with being the head of state to his own people and the world he has a challenge with. Also, I’m glad he has more depth. When I was a kid, BP was just a B-list member of the Avengers.
So what’s the dilemma? Protecting Wakanda’s natural resources, namely Vibranium, the toughest metal in the MCU (Adamantium is exclusive to the X-Men universe). How tough is Vibranium? Captain America’s shield is made of the stuff. Meanwhile, Wakanda doesn’t allow this national treasure to be exported yet years ago, Ulysses Klaue (the super talented Andy Serkis) succeeded in stealing a good amount and he continues to sell small chunks on the global black market. In the process of trying to stop Klaue, Black Panther is soon fooled because Klaue is a diversion for a more cunning foe.
I’ll stop there since I want it to be a surprise.
Panther has action, humor and proves itself as one of the stronger chapters in the MCU’s larger story, this Summer’s upcoming Infinity War. I loved the rich use of colors in contrast to the Justice League‘s muddy, Instagram filter look. As for the predominantly Black cast some people have their underwear in a knot about. Who cares! It didn’t make me uncomfortable or any of the crap Faux News jibber jabbers about. Wakanda and its people are a character in the story like the Federation in Star Trek or the Millennium Falcon to Star Wars. Is this movie my favorite of the MCU? No, Captain America: First Avenger is but Panther is off to a good start being in the top 10 for MCU. Besides, due to the heroes being people of exemplary character, Captain America and Black Panther are friends/allies after the events of Civil War.
Alamo Extras: Trailers for Meteor Man, Spawn, Blade, Ghost Dog and Yemoja: Rise of the Orisha which are movies starring a Black hero/heroine; Black Panther’s appearances in numerous Marvel cartoons; the scene of stand-up comedian Brad Sanders roasting various members of the DC Universe in Legends of the Superheroes; a tutorial on Black Panther’s history in Marvel comic books; a story about Wakaliawood, where Ugandan action movies are made of a few hundred bucks a piece; an anthology of Black action stars from 1926-79 and from 1980 to now; Angela Bassett kicking ass in Strange Days received its own sequence. Rightfully so.