Superhero films have become the norm in the Hollywood film industry this day and age, and that has much to do with the success of Marvel Studios' Marvel Cinematic Universe - which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year after beginning an ambitious and daring project of uniting several films together under one shared continuity. That began with 2008's "Iron Man", which bore fruit as Robert Downey Jr. took to the skies as the armored alter ego of Tony Stark and helped inspire the events that led to the assembly of the Avengers. Today the MCU is in the middle of "Phase Three", and this year will bring three more films that will add more stories and characters to the growing film dynasty of the Marvel Universe - including the long awaited solo movie of the fictional superhero known as the Black Panther - the identity of the protector and defender of the fictional African nation known as Wakanda.
Thanks to Marvel Philippines and Walt Disney Studios PH, I had the chance to see one of the most anticipated films for this new year a few days early before hitting theaters - which is on Valentine's Day in the Philippines! As a dedicated comic book collector and follower of the MCU, I've been looking forward to T'Challa's solo film for a long time - more so with the recent raving reviews brought about by critics and viewers alike who got to see early premieres and screenings c/o Marvel. Now that the movie is about to debut this week everywhere worldwide, I can honestly say without spoiling that this is a VERY DIFFERENT kind of superhero film - culturally significant for an African based superhero like this and transcending the basic premise of good versus evil as tradition and ideology clash in a battle for a nation and the future.
Taking place right after the events of "Captain America: Civil War", "Black Panther" puts the focus on T'Challa - the newly installed king of the African nation of Wakanda after losing his father, the late King T'Chaka, to a terrorist attack. Successfully apprehending his father's killer, he returns to his homeland to assume his new responsibilities. To the world, Wakanda is nothing more than a third world country with farmlands - however it is home to a technologically advanced civilization composed of several tribes that prospers through the mining and cultivation of the rare metal known as Vibranium. The Black Panther is also the protector of the nation - empowered by a special herbed that grants the user super strength and enhanced senses.
When ghosts from the past threaten to destabalize their way of life and put everything they believe in to question, T'Challa must learn what it means to be a king and protector by becoming his own man and a hero that inspires others at the same time.
Wakanda itself shares the spotlight and is much a character itself as the Black Panther is. Rich in its history as it is in its resources, this culture is absolutely stunning when brought to life in the big screen, and it is one proud nation ready to do anything in the service of its ruler and the prosperity of its people. The production values of the movie key in on basic things like ceremonial trials to crown a king, as well as the rich technological advancements the make living in the real world a step back. Wakanda is so secretive and protective that it is more an urban legend than anything, and this mystery plays itself quite well into the main plot of the film that changes things for the rest of the MCU moving forward.
While Black Panther himself certainly is the star of the film, he isn't alone and has his family and loved ones at his side played by a stellar cast. Black Panther enlists the talents of Lupita Nyong'o as Nakia, Letitia Wright as Shuri, Danai Gurira (aka Michonne from The Walking Dead) as Okoye, Daniel Kaluuya as W'Kabi, Angela Bassett as Ramonda, and Forest Whitaker as Zuri among its primary cast - all of whom bring T'Challa and his world to life with such emotion and dedication that it is great to see a film like this running so effortlessly with the character chemistry and relationships they all share with one another.
There are also familiar faces returning coming from past Marvel Studios' films, and that's Andy Serkis reprising his villainous role as Ulysses Klaue, and Martin Freeman back as CIA agent Everett K. Ross - who allies himself with T'Challa in the struggle he faces.
Speaking of that struggle, that is brought to Black Panther and Wakanda's doorstep by Michael B. Jordan - who reunites with his "Creed" director Ryan Coogler to play the main villain in Erik "Killmonger" Stevens. His ties to the nation and T'Challa run deeper than a mere villain wishing to take on a king - and its this conflict that opens hidden secrets that will change everything for the African nation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for all time.
That being said and giving many blessed thoughts about this movie, I absolutely LOVED "Black Panther" and it easily ranks up already with the best superhero films ever made. I can easily describe it as a sum that combines a James Bond flick because of the spy and tech action, coupled with the story of "The Lion King", and acting as a direct sequel to "Captain America: Civil War". It's got a lot of heart and tradition in it - which is significantly important to Africans and African Americans who look up to this superhero created by the legendary Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. I can't say anything else more other than it is my current favorite MCU movie after "Captain America: The Winter Soldier".
Black Panther opens and plays in theaters this week! Catch it and ALL HAIL THE KING! WAKANDA FOREVER!
Rating - 5/5
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