Black Panther

Director: Ryan Coogler

Screenplay: Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole and Stan Lee / Jack Kirby (Based on the Marvel Comics by)

Producers: Kevin Feige, David J Grant, Victoria Alonso, Louis D’Esposito, Jeffery Chernov, San lee and Nate Moore

Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Daniel Kaluuya, Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Michael B. Jordan, Andy Serkis, Lupita Nyong’o, Martin Freeman, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright

Year: 2018

Country: USA

BBFC Certification: PG-13

Duration:  134 mins

According to director, Ryan Coogler, Black Panther “doubles as a movie and a movement” – as reported in a Variety magazine article. Also, a Time Magazine’s article proclaims “The Revolutionary Power of Black Panther”, and a BBC News piece declares “Why Marvel’s Black Panther is No Ordinary Superhero Movie” – You can see where I am going with this, right?

The latest offering from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (aka MCU) is attracting the sort of media attention normally reserved for major blockbusters. However, the anticipatory frenzy for Black Panther is perhaps comparable to that witnessed by last year’s DC blockbuster, Wonder Woman, which sadly highlights the dearth of strong mainstream superhero characters whom are not white or male.

But enough of all that buzzy hype and reflection on society’s shortcomings, I’d like instead to focus on the merits vs. challenges of Black Panther, both as a movie and key character, in the pantheon of Marvel’s ever expanding universe. For example, despite its audacious, heads-on tackling of black racial identity, aspiration, and global positioning, the film somehow still manages to remain true to Marvel’s values and creative authenticity both in the characters and plot as depicted in the movie.

Newly crowned King T’Challa, (portrayed by Chadwick Boseman in cool swagger mode), struggles with the historical reluctance of his father and ancestors to reveal and integrate Wakanda’s vastly superior technology and civilisation with the rest of the world. It is this dilemma that influences his decision, as both king and superhero, to pursue a vision aimed at the betterment of mankind, as befitting one of Marvel’s leading icons. The killer combo of Marvel Studios and Disney successfully takes a decisive step forward, relentlessly pushing the boundaries of mainstream western pop culture, and thus realise a finely honed take on the Afro-futurist vision. Ryan Coogler’s uncompromising foray into what it means to be fully and authentically African is bound to open the minds of many people long denied such a basic premise upon which to flourish.

Black Panther truly stands out with a predominantly, (and smoking hot), black supporting cast, including: Oscar nominees Daniel Kaluuya and Angela Bassett (as T’challa’s mother),  Academy Award winner Forest Whittaker, alongside  Michael B. Jordan (as T’Challa’s cousin / nemesis, Erik Killmonger), Lupita Nyong’o (as Nakia), Danai Gurira (Okoye), Letitia Wright (Shuri) and Winston Duke (M’baku). Likewise the crew features a few key roles helmed by female and/or black talent including: Screenplay, Cinematography, Costume Design, Production Design and Direction.

Another differentiator is the inclusion of several strong black female characters, such as: T’Challa’s Mother (in Bassett’s Queen Ramonda), his love interest & Wakandan secret agent, (Nyong’o, brilliant as Nakia), his sister / super scientist (Wright’s charming turn as Shuri), and his warrior general and all female special forces leader (Gurira, as fierce Okoye). That is not to say the other non-black or female cast were slouches or anything. In fact, Andy Serkis was in scintillating form as returnee baddie, Ulysses Klaue. Ditto, Michael B Jordan’s Erik Killmonger and Martin Freeman’s CIA agent Everett K. Ross.

Another key character that is central to the film is Wakanda itself. An afro-futurist utopia such as this is breath-taking to behold in a continent that is often portrayed as the poverty stricken, crime / corruption infested back end of the world. The Wakandans are a highly evolved and technologically advanced civilisation that chose to hide from the rest of the world until now. Although Black Panther was long in coming, the timing couldn’t have been more in tune with the zeitgeist, plus its counter narrative to mainstream perceptions about black people and Africans in particular. The only fly in the ointment, in my opinion, is perhaps the unrealistic weight of expectation on this one film to change the world, or at least world view of mainstream audiences, which is a tad much even for one of Marvel’s superheroes.

Finally, a big shout out to the BFI (aka British Film Institute) for laying on a full fledged celebration of all things Black Panther, including: discussion sessions, interviews and exhibition (featuring: Producer – Nate Moore, Director – Ryan Coogler, and Writer – Evan Narcisse). It was both epic and Afrogenic – ‘nuff said!