'BLACK PANTHER' | Marvel Cinematic Universe
'Black Panther' tells the story of the son of the King of Wakanda - T'Challa, who returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king following his father's death.
This isn't the first iteration of 'Black Panther'. In 1992, Wesley Snipes (who went on to play Blade - another Marvel character) mentioned his desire to work on a 'Black Panther' film, but the project fell into development hell and scurried through multiple versions of itself for the decade to come, never eventuating into the much anticipated film. We are lucky though that in 2018, Marvel fans were treated to Chadwick Boseman's casting in the lead role.
In 2005, Marvel and Paramount Pictures announced that 'Black Panther' was one of ten films based on Marvel characters that would be developed in the coming years, but it wasn’t until 2011 that a script was written. The Mark Bailey penned screenplay was eventually replaced by the Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole co-written script, and off the back of successes such as 'Fruitvale Station' and 'Creed', at age 31, writer/director Coogler has certainly made an impact on the industry, successfully mixing sarcasm with a more serious tone in each of his projects.
What this screenplay does, despite its predictable beats, is describe what it means "to be black in both America and Africa", as perfectly stated by Jamil Smith for Time. 'Black Panther' proves that diverse films not only matter, but have the power to generate profit and bring in audiences, which is something we need more of in Hollywood. Cleverly, the characters take digs at white oppressors conspicuously, giving the viewer perspective on black life and tradition. It is by far one of the most thrilling and absorbing stories of the MCU so far, giving strong hope for diversity amongst the superhero genre, and celebrating the character’s heritage with no holding back.
Boseman is a strong, charismatic force that falters not with the weight of his position, and is supported by the strength of Lupita Nyong’o - Boseman’s love interest in the film.
Letitia Wright plays the younger sister and does so with great humour, and Michael B. Jordan shows off his acting chops once more in a fantastical world seeped in deep-rooted history, proving himself the speaker for people of African decent. The entire cast is enormously talented in bringing forth themes of revolution and cultures of oppression.
The production design, make-up and witty banter make 'Black Panther' a film to watch, but while the film is impressive from start to end, the plot does verge on predictable at times, and the special effects are conveyed as unbelievable - almost laughable. Though the film was a little overhyped to begin with, 'Black Panther' is by far, one of the best films of the MCU to date - and we need more like it.
Just as 'Wonder Woman' improved gender equality on-screen, 'Black Panther' is a stepping stone in the right direction for racial equality.
'Black Panther' is in cinemas now.
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