Although early in 2018, Writer and Director Ryan Coogler’s “Black Panther” is one of the year’s best. At least it shall be one of my favorites. “Black Panther” transcends the superhero movie genera that thrills and touches our souls. “Black Panther” is beautiful to behold with the majestic African landscape and seamlessly generated images of the futuristic culture of Wakanda literally hidden from the rest of the world.
The screen astounds in tragic physical battles or the shiny Lexus’s racing through the night streets in Korea. Ryan along with co-writer Joe Robert Cole create inspired conversations of the sacrifices of becoming greater, forgiveness of betrayal, forsaking utopian isolationism for the greater good. “Black Panther” is a cultural phenomenon.
“Black Panther,” tells the timeless tale of the Hero and the defining other. Chadwick Boseman is magnificent as T’Challa, who becomes the legendary Black Panther. T’Challa succeeds his murdered Father T’Chaka, played by John Kani, as King of Wakanda. Strikingly handsome Chadwick embodies grace and elegant swag. He distinguishes the hero in his action, his words, and in the power of his tears.
Michael B. Jordan plays mercenary ex-CIA operative Eric Killmonger, who defines T’Challa, the Black Panther. Michael is as powerful as the suffering villain Eric. In Ryan’s narrative and Michael’s soulful being, we can’t dismiss Eric as a mere villain. He’s human, too. Like T’Challa, Eric is both lightness and darkness. We all are.
Eric’s tremendous rage sources from his unforgiving past. T’Challa realizes Eric horrific betrayal. In T’Challa’s “vision quest”, he confronts his Father. He cries, “We were wrong!” T’Challa perhaps is the greater man. His Father’s words, “And it’s hard for a good man to be king.”- become his paradox.
Eric’s suffering robbed him of compassion. Though his noble purpose is equality for all. Even the villain is not all darkness. “Black Panther” is an eloquent resolution of the ideologies of T’Challa and Eric, each valuing courage and dignity in their own ways. Chadwick and Michael’s conflict profoundly move us. T’Challa’s tears touched my soul.
In the “Black Panther” mythology, Wakanda emerged when a meteor of made of Vibranium, the hardest metal is known, crashes in Africa. Vibranium allowed the people of Wakanda to develop a breakthrough technology, becoming the most advanced culture on Earth. Unbeknownst to everyone else. Wakanda is composed of five united tribes lead by the mythical Black Panther. The Black Panther is from the lineage of Kings, who with the serum of the indigenous plant possess great strength, speed, and agility.
T’Challa is the next Black Panther. His mother is nurturing Ramonda, played by strong Angela Bassett, who believes he shall be the great King. His sister is genius scientist Shuri, whimsically brilliant Letitia Wright. Letitia is the scene-stealing star. Shuri is like T’Challa’s “Q” creating the kinetic energy suit he wears among other weaponry. His ex-lover Nakia, played by strong beautiful Lupita Nyongo, is the spy gathering intelligence on the outside world. Amazing Danai Guria plays General Okoye, the powerful warrior guarding the Royal Family.
Arms dealer Ulysses Klaue, played by ruthless Andy Serkis, steals Vibranium threatening the revelation of Wakanda and its secrets. Eric is Klaue’s mission leader. Klaue seemingly reveals the singular narrative frailty. He is without nuance almost caricature. He serves as the plot device tying in charismatic Eric.
“Black Panther” mesmerizes in stunning vibrant visual displays and the inspired battles of T’Challa and Eric. Ryan’s words and story resonate. Nakia tells T’Challa, “Only you can decide what kind of king you want to be.” What kind of person will you be? Who will you become? That inspired to make me look within as well.
That’s what is so special about “Black Panther”. “Black Panther” dares you to choose the greater than a path, becoming greater than you know yourself to be. To create and live in that greater space. And the world will be greater for it.
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Originally Published on IMDb
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Photo credit: Shutterstock, modified
