I feel that, more than any other marvel movie, Black Panther created a true cultural moment, born in a time of extreme rhetoric and cultural divide. Director Ryan Coogler managed to balance insane expectations from both critics and audiences, while also creating a conversation on race, power, and legacy without being divisive. If that’s not enough, Black Panther was entertaining, creative and it balanced MCU and Black Panther narratives with expertise.

 

           I don’t think I could start anywhere but with Black Panther himself. Chadwick Boseman will forever be honored and recognized for bringing King T’Challa to life. An icon, Boseman embodied the titular hero and inspired millions across the world who finally had a hero that looked like them and, just as important, gave millions of people a hero who did not look like them.

 

           Starring opposite Boseman is the cutthroat and brutal Killmonger, played by the ever-excellent Michael B. Jordan. Jordan brings a level of ferocity that we had not seen up to that point or since. The gritty nature of the movie lends to its antagonist and his history as a Navy Seal turned liberator. Early in the MCU, Marvel had a problem with making villains evil versions of the protagonist. Iron Man had Iron Monger and Whiplash. Thor had Loki. Captain America had Red Skull. But somehow, Killmonger made this work. The parallels between himself and T’Challa add layers to the story. The divergence of two princes helps us see the hypocrisy in Wakanda, complicating our view of T’Chaka and Wakanda as a moral entity. Both are set on a physical and spiritual journey to see their fathers, sons adrift longing for their fathers. Ultimately, T’Challa and Erik do get to speak with their fathers, and both realize they must move on and build a legacy of their own. The movie lends itself to a future that includes a much more open Wakanda, a theme that paid off in Avengers: Endgame and the Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

 

           Supporting cast Andy Serkis, Danai Gurira, Daniel Kaluuya, Martin Freeman, and Lupita Nyong’o are all excellent supporting cast members. Marvel has always done well providing interesting side characters and Coogler has continued that trend. With the tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman, it will be interesting to see which of these characters push on for larger roles in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and future cross-over movies.

 

           The movie looks excellent (except for the last battle. Oof.), and the imagining of Wakanda in Afrofuturistic architecture is stunning and the black iconography is magical. From the Dora Milaje to the Royals, the Wakandan people are decked out in stunning African dress. The imagining of the Ancestral plane gives us some of the most beautiful and memorable passages in the movie and in these scenes, all actors excel in creating meaningful dialogue that the audience can relate to and learn from.

 

           Almost Shakespearean in its creation, Black Panther blends hamlet with heroes in excellent fashion. The dramas, betrayals, and twists all make this movie a breath of fresh air. For all of its effort and achievement, Black Panther was awarded 7 Oscar nominations and 3 wins. These achievements are the first Oscar wins for Marvel Studios and included: Costume Design, Production Design, and Original Score.

 

           Overall, Black Panther excelled across the board and blended interesting themes with gritty action and a strong emotional core. The cast pushed the limits and the movie was rightly awarded and recognized for its work.