It's weird doing a retrospective on a movie that's still in the top ten in the U.S. box office almost three months after its debut, but here we are. No one could have anticipated just how huge Marvel Studios' 18th installment in their film series would be both financially and culturally, yet Black Panther stunned the world when it became the highest grossing domestic film in the MCU, and has seemingly already inspired millions into challenging norms. It also helps that the film is easily a top-five entry in the MCU, boosted by the confident script and direction of Ryan Coogler, outstanding performances, awesome world building. Black Panther is one of the most purely cinematic experiences of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Chadwick Boseman stole the show when he debuted as T'Challa in Captain America: Civil War, but this time around, he's surrounded by one of the strongest ensembles Marvel Studios has ever assembled. So much so, that Black Panther honestly feels like a supporting character in his own film, often outshone by the rest of the cast. Boseman still does an extremely capable job with what he's given, but he's a different man from the vengeance-fueled warrior he was in Civil War. Now he has the responsibility of ruling his entire kingdom, the secluded but vastly technologically advanced nation of Wakanda, hanging over his head. T'Challa grows up throughout the film into a more level-headed leader, but he still shows flashes of the fierce warrior we've seen previously. It's not the most engaging main character arc of the MCU, but it does the job competently enough.
But the character that truly shines in this film, without a question, is Michael B. Jordan's Erik Stevens/N'Jadaka/Killmonger. This film marks the third collaboration between Coogler and Jordan, and it's super easy to see why Coogler keeps coming back to him. Killmonger is one of the most captivating villains the MCU has ever produced, period. From his cold, calculated scheme in his introductory scene to his final confrontation with Black Panther, Michael B. Jordan absolutely dominates the movie. The character is still unquestionably evil, noted by his psychopathic pleasure in killing both allies and enemies, but his motivations are heartbreaking and unique. Killmonger is where Coogler inserts messages someone would have once never thought to have seen in a Marvel movie, commenting on racial inequality and the schism between native Africans and African-Americans.
Here, Coogler carefully places blame on all sides; as the treatment of black people by white people coupled with the cold detachment from Wakanda helped to create a monster driven purely by wrath. If given the right tools, Coogler argues that it's only logical that someone like N'Jadaka would want to usurp those in power to make the lives of black men and women worldwide better. The movie doesn't want you to root on Killmonger (though again, Jordan delivers a spellbinding performance), but it argues his point with delicacy. He's no one-dimensional villain like Malekith or Aldrich Killian. With this film, Ryan Coogler definitely puts an end to any argument that the MCU is incapable of delivering memorable villains.
Most of the rest of the supporting cast also helps to make Black Panther one of Marvel's most alive installments. Lupita Nyong'o plays the Wakandan spy Nakia, and she's thankfully not just there to be T'Challa's love interest (though there certainly is romance). She also serves as T'Challa's conscience, while also struggling with her role in how to serve her country. Danai Gurira delivers one of the most physically intimidating performances of the MCU as Okoye, leader of the Dora Milaje (T'Challa's all-female squadron of bodyguards). Her relationship with Daniel Kaluuya's W'Kabi is underexplored, but the movie makes up for it with an arc following her determine her loyalties.
The true discovery of the film; however, is Letitia Wright as T'Challa's sister/genius inventor Shuri. Wright has a total blast playing basically this movie's take on Q from the James Bond franchise; her enthusiasm completely jumps off the screen as she nails many of the film's funniest moments while also making it believable that she's one of the smartest people in the MCU despite her age. Andy Serkis reprises Ulysses Klaue from Avengers: Age of Ultron, and he has much more fun this time around as he actually feels more integral to the plot. His role is unfortunately limited, but he chews up the scenery during the entire South Korea section of the film. Other cast highlights include Martin Freeman, returning as Everett Ross from Civil War, becoming one of T'Challa's closest allies throughout the film; Winston Duke as the honorable but short-tempered leader of the mountain tribe, M'Baku; and Angela Bassett as T'Challa's mother, Ramonda, who carries elegance whenever she's on screen.
There are more cast members of course, but they're either underutilized or just kinda there. Forest Whittaker plays T'Challa's mentor Zuri, and his role is pretty much exactly as you'd expect. Like I previously mentioned, W'Kabi is the most underexplored character with motivations that just become muddled as the narrative progresses and a half-baked romance with Okoye that was obviously left on the cutting room floor.
It isn't just the cast that makes this film feel alive though. The production design, music, and cinematography are all among the best in the entire MCU. The exquisitely detailed costumes and sets combine centuries of African heritage and Star Trek levels of futuristic optimism into creating a country you can't help but want to visit. Wakanda feels alive and possible, so it's no wonder people like myself keep seeing this movie over and over just to revisit this world and hope we can pull it off someday together.
Rachel Morrison, the director of photography, knows exactly how much information to pack into the frame to keep this illusion alive, blasting us with vivid colors and beautiful camera movements completely unlike the often muted or flat look of other MCU films. Finally, Ludwig Göransson, another three-time collaborator with Coogler, completes the package with an exquisite score jam-packed with memorable themes, a wonderful mix of traditional orchestral music and talking drums. Without a doubt, all three of these elements are a huge part of why this film resonated with millions across the world, and it'll be criminal if all three of these are ignored come Academy Awards season. Yeah, I said it.
One Oscar this movie probably won't get nominated for, unfortunately, is visual effects. While some shots look gorgeous, like the introduction of Wakanda or the car chase in Busan, many more effects look surprisingly unfinished. The final battle looks especially cartoonish, as if the movie ran out of CG budget 3/4ths of the way through. It's a minor gripe, but it is a noteworthy one nonetheless considering the MCU usually pushes the boundaries of visual effects work, and the effects in the surrounding films look so much better.
I could keep on going on and on about the film, but you get the point. It's one of only two MCU films I've seen in theaters more than twice (the other being The Avengers), and I remember thinking hard upon first watching it if it beat Iron Man as my favorite superhero film. It didn't, but the fact it had me thinking it did is enough of an indicator that this is one of the absolute strongest MCU films. Coogler shattered all sorts of expectations when directing this film, delivering not just an entertaining superhero movie, but a movie that tackled important social issues. And it's more than an MCU film too. One hardly needs any knowledge of the past movies before heading into this one since the film recaps Civil War pretty quickly. It doesn't bog itself down in gags, but it also takes time to add levity only when needed. It's more than just a great superhero movie. It's a great movie. And audiences answered in droves, and are continuing to do so as I write this.
After 10 years, it's amazing that Marvel Studios still seems to have the world in its fingertips. The fact they began their journey with a man building an iron suit in a cave in Afghanistan could eventually lead to a cultural milestone in African American cinema is something to really behold. After 18 movies, it doesn't look like audiences are getting tired of their one-of-a-kind approach to comic book movie storytelling.
And it's all led to this.
Next time: Avengers: Infinity War
No comments:
Post a Comment