Black Panther, or what I’ll call the prequel to Infinity War slated for this May, is my favorite MCU standalone film to date. Marvel is getting better at their game by implementing amazing soundtracks, transformed classics into comedies, turned our favorite heroes against themselves and now they’ve introduced a political element that isn’t forced but welcoming instead.
Recently, I was at an event where a fellow writer came up to me and asked me with kind intentions whether or not Black Panther will only find enjoyment in the African American community. While that may seem silly to ask some people, it’s actually a great question.
Marvel’s latest installment says a lot of strong ( yet intelligent ) things about the current racial tensions throughout the world. It points out the glaring mistakes caucasian’s have made throughout history but acknowledges the imperfections that the African American culture have made as well. The messages the film delivers are honest and should be a healthy gateway to opening up a discussion to further better ourselves as a human race. The fact that my friend decided to come up to me and have the bravery to ask a question that bold and we were able to discuss it healthily is precisely what we need right now as a nation.
Aside from the message, Black Panther kills it in the action department and introduces more amazing characters to the MCU’s pool of heroes. I liked that amidst all of the chaos, King T’Challa (aka Black Panther ) stayed true to what he thought was best as king of Wakanda. Furthermore, it was interesting to see how conflicted T’challa was when he was making crucial decisions; it made the issues feel real.
Additionally, I am a big fan of Killmonger played by Michael B. Jordan. It feels like Marvel has been putting out great villains recently with Ego, Hela, and now Killmonger. Killmonger wasn’t overly dramatic like other villains, and he made his motives very clear while providing a backstory that allowed the audience to think to themselves “hey, this guy is clearly malicious, but he has his reasons.” And I think that’s what every great villain needs, one, a legitimate reason to be evil, and two, a clear and sophisticated motif that plays into why that villain became a bad guy in the first place.
To wrap things up, Black Panther will definitely empower the African American community and people of color, but still leaves plenty of room for Caucasians to find just as much enjoyment. The film is a gift to the African American community and celebrates the strength and triumph of our people while at the same time showcase our imperfections. Black Panther is full of jaw-dropping action and doesn’t seem alien to the rest of MCU. The film does have a PG-13 rating so keep that in mind if you plan on bringing your kids. So there you have it guys, be sure to buy your tickets as soon as possible and please avoid pirating this film.
Black Panther in Theaters 2/16
Here Black Panther for you to check out!!!
Mrs. Kathy King on The Purple Carpet for the World Premiere of Black Panther
Leave a Reply