Movie Review: Black Panther



Marvel Cinematic Universe(MCU) had three releases in 2017. At the start of 2018, they are back with the new offering, Black Panther directed by Ryan Coogler. It is challenging to review a movie from MCU. These movies are interconnected and pretty much follow a predictive format. The characters, the lead players and stunning action pieces are only differentiating factors. Now I watch them for fear of missing out something vital when the next one comes. For me, the next one is Infinity War. It will be cool to see all of them lined up together. It is scheduling nightmare but a pleasing sight. If you are watching Black Panther with this rigid mindset, then you are in for an even bigger surprise. 

Black Panther is a character introduced in Captain America: Civil War and played by Chadwick Boseman. MCU has entrusted the reins to Ryan Coogler. For Ryan, this movie is a considerable departure from his earlier works. But he has delivered the most intense and dramatic movie of all that has been by MCU so far. Heritage plays a vital role on screen. This trait would also have been a major factor offscreen. I don't say this because Andy Serkis and Martin Freeman are the only people with non-African lineage on screen. Cliched as it may sound, they play two sides of the same coin. They are both outsiders. Andy Serkis is Ulysses Klaue who is interested in personal gain while Martin Freeman is Everett K Ross who puts his country's interest as foremost but also helps to alleviate the pains of others. 

While heritage is the tie that binds all the various threads, Ryan packs multiple themes in this movie. Black Panther starts a few days after Captain America: Civil War. So T'Challa/Black Panther returns to Wakanda to be crowned as the next king. So the first theme is coming of age. Factionalism is another theme which has cultural significance too. Another universal theme is the mistakes of our ancestors. Should we forever live in the shame with heads down or accept it to make amendments? Protectionism is also covered as Wakandans constantly fear of exposing Vibranium to the outside world. Finally, loyalty is also a theme. With so many themes, it could have ended up as a soap opera. With deft handling by Ryan coupled with clever writing, we get an engaging drama. The action scenes do not match up to the adrenaline levels resulting from the ego clashes.

There is a host of characters on screen like Michael B Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke and Angela Basset. All of them stay in character giving their best shot of African accents. Though the movie rests on Chadwick Boseman's able shoulders, the supporting cast leaves a mark. The only regret is Forest Whitaker is wasted in a role which has nothing to offer. Forest Whitaker's Zuri might have been conceived as a Black Panther's version of Obi-Wan Kenobi, but it falls flat. Instead, they should have airlifted Nick Fury and dropped him in the middle of things.

I recommend this movie for the drama. In case you are not interested in the drama, you can see beautiful locations serving as Wakanda.

Language: English

Genre: Drama

Rating: ***

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