Jasper Merrill, Guest Writer
Yet another breathtaking Marvel movie graced screens this year to tell the story of the Black Panther. Announced in 2014, fans eagerly anticipated this adaptation — and the hype around “Black Panther” has only increased since then.
The movie has met, if not exceeded, expectations. It shatters the “action hero” stereotype and is filled with afrofuturistic attributes and unapologetic swagger.
The 18th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) pulls some of the best elements from the comics onto the screen, making it a film for both die-hard marvel fans and anyone else who can breathe.
We first meet the Black Panther in “Captain America: Civil War,” when he avenges his father’s death by pursuing the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) in a thrilling chase sequence.
After the events of ‘Civil War’, T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) heads back to his home to take the place of his father as king of Wakanda. Wakanda is a technologically advanced nation in East Africa, hidden from the rest of the world for “safety purposes.”
Their abundant source of “vibranium,” an extremely rare (fictional) metal, is both a blessing and a curse. It serves many positive purposes, but also has great destructive potential which entices those seeking power.
An enemy arrives to face T’Challa, forcing him to question what it means to rule and how he will do it differently from his ancestors. Throughout the film he is helped by many well-established characters who are directly involved in T’Challa’s development, yet remain refreshingly individual.
There are several captivating characters portrayed by the phenomenal cast. Three particularly prominent supporting roles are Shuri (Letitia Wright), Okoye (Danai Gurira), and Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) — all women in stereotypically feminine roles who nonetheless showcase a wide array of strength and depth of character in order to deconstruct the limitations of the stereotypes associated with their positions.
Shuri, for example, is the main source of comedic relief, but at the same time plays a crucial role in Wakanda leadership. She is T’Challa’s younger sister, the princess of Wakanda, and also a teenage tech genius.
Shuri portrays Generation Z by quoting Vine and filming viral videos while simultaneously running the tech department on Wakanda and constructing accessories for her brother and her people. Shuri represents validation in youth. No one ever questions her abilities.
Okoye is T’challa’s aide, but she is also a graceful warrior, dancing with her spear as she takes down enemies and being obstinate during controversy among her people. Through her character, you can see the importance of loyalty that grows from the roots of her culture.
One scene exhibits both Okoye and Nakia using feminine accessories (a wig and a stiletto) as weapons in this film, acknowledging the feminist movement and fracturing of gender stereotypes.
Nakia is the love interest, but she is also an activist, working on the outside to help not just her country, but the whole world. Because of this, she represents a national impact.
This character wants to improve all life, no matter the odds, and remains selfless but never weak in the process. Nakia wishes to see the world truly become a better place.
“Black Panther” addresses inequality in many effective ways. In dialogue, character motives, representation, inclusion, powerful music, and even in color choices.
This film features intelligent, humble and empowering females and males, who honor their elders, respect their youth and work together for a better life. Wakanda is an Eden in comparison to the current state of our society and politics.
There are two main villains in this story: Ulysses Klaue and Erik Killmonger. Klaue (Andy Serkis) is the ruthless maniac who thirsts for power. He is an outsider that has infiltrated Wakanda’s barrier to exploit their resources and, appropriately, wears blue to match the attire of colonists who came to Africa in the late 1800s.
This color choice was an intentional decision by director Ryan Coogler. Coogler, who is African-American himself, actually traveled to Africa to gain a deeper understanding of its roots before making this film.
The cultural details are based in fact, and many scenes feature a genuine feeling of tradition, unlike most Hollywood hero productions.
Unlike Klaue, Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) has a motive that the audience can sympathise with.
While growing up in Oakland, California, Killmonger saw discrimination and violence toward the black community. He knows that Wakanda has the ability to protect against this ill-treatment, spending his adult life trying to achieve a position of power in Wakanda, from which he can use their resources to improve the lives of the racially abused.
Many stereotypical comic-book villains come from the sky. They come to rule or destroy or make some kind of drastic change to Earth as we know it. In a recent MCU film, “Spider-man: Homecoming,” our villain is fighting because of unfair treatment to blue collar workers.
Real issues have become extremely relevant in the movie business, challenging audiences to act rather than to simply escape.
Unfortunately, Killmonger sees violence as the only means of achieving this, and his vendetta against T’challa’s bloodline blinds him. He undergoes the tragedy of a man who becomes what he is fighting against.
This results in a compelling conflict for T’challa, who has to decide whether to use his country’s resources to improve the world, or to protect his country from the world.
As usual, viewers should prepare to stay for Marvel’s customary end-credit scenes. This film, however, doesn’t simply pander to the subtle side of things. It features the wonderful line, “The wise build bridges while the foolish build barriers.”
On the surface, this movie marks just another piece of the puzzle that is “The Avengers,” but it also delves deep into social constructs. In fact, Black Panther is likely the most political Marvel film to date. This movie might be more interesting to think about than to watch.
Black Panther has definitely provoked important thought. Even without a high-tech third-world country, the goals in this movie are completely attainable in reality.
We don’t need vibranium to be better people. We don’t need weapons to communicate globally. We don’t have to sacrifice patriotism in order to celebrate cultural identity. Equality starts with you as an individual, and can spread like wildfire.
The movie ‘Black Panther,’ in and of itself, is a hero to the public eye.
4.5 out of 5 stars