Black Panther
5 stars
Director: Ryan Coogler
Stars: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o
Duration: 134 mins
Class: 12
KRS Releasing Ltd

The Black Panther bounds gracefully into our cinemas on a groundswell of superb reviews while clawing in a ridiculous $404 million on its opening weekend. It is accompanied by a chorus of acclaim for its positive, heroic and inspirational black characters, and for its celebration of African culture.

What makes it even more marvellous is that this is the latest entry in Marvel’s Cinematic Universe (MCU). It is dedicated to the origin story of T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), the crown prince of the African nation of Wakanda who gains superhuman, cat-like, enhanced strength, and who first made an unforgettable appearance in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War.

After the events depicted in Civil War, including the violent death of his father, T’Challa returns to Wakanda to take his place on the throne. Yet, in the days following his coronation, he learns a secret involving his father, whose questionable actions many years ago brings T’Challa face to face with a powerful enemy.

Black Panther boasts all the MCU’s outstanding hallmarks, including a multi-layered, absorbing story, richly-drawn three-dimensional characters and a top-notch ensemble including some of Hollywood’s revered African American actors.

Boseman easily slips back into the role, shifting from ensemble player to protagonist with grace. He imbues T’Challa/Black Panther with the nobility and insecurities of a leader finding his feet, as he deals with the conflicting desires to keep Wakanda’s centuries-old secrets against the realities of globalisation. All this, while dealing with the threat from the past.

But T’Challa is not facing these challenges alone. While the #metoo and #timesup movements have finally given women an angry and righteous voice against the many injustices they have faced over the decades, Black Panther celebrates women. This is true particularly for black women, with an amazing ensemble of women who take T’Challa’s side.

The guys in the ensemble don’t fare too badly either, with an impressive line-up including Michael B. Jordan as N’Jadaka/Erik ‘Killmonger’ Stevens, the villain of the piece.

Forest Whitaker is Zuri, Wakandan elder statesman and adviser to T’Challa while Andy Serkis chews the scenery somewhat as Ulysses Klaue, a black-market arms dealer, smuggler and gangster.

Martin Freeman is CIA operative Everett K. Ross, slightly out of his depth as he is thrown into events that unfold in the small African state.

What makes the film even more remarkable is that director Ryan Coogler and co-writer Joe Robert Cole’s script goes way beyond its remit of telling an origin story and securing its place in the MCU.

It offers a detailed observation of (the fictional) Wakandan culture, with many scenes celebrating the African continent’s traditions, colourful dress and vibrant music. The complexities of tribal politics are thrown into the mix for good measure to proffer an authentic and emotional representation of a people too often marginalised and/or stereotyped in films of this ilk.

That in doing so it also gives a subtle, but effective, nod to the ugly history of western colonisation of the continent is also to be applauded.

To his credit, at no moment does this become too preachy. Coogler never forgets he is directing a superhero movie and choreographs its attendant pulsating action, drama and humour with style.

The whole effortlessly adds up to render Black Panther one of the best entries in the Marvel canon to date.

12 Strong

Also showing

The Mercy – Yachtsman Donald Crowhurst creates an outrageous account of his disastrous attempt to win the 1968 Golden Globe Race.