The Marvel Studios’ movie collection welcomes Black Panther to its superhero universe. As an adult and fan of the previous Marvel superhero installments, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the story-line unfold and learning about this unique character’s royal legacy motivation behind the mystical Black Panther. This movie upholds the quality action/adventure entertainment that we expect from Marvel Studios’ movies. The explosion of deep and rich detail in the gorgeous African landscape, bright earthly costumes, and tribal language added a jaw-dropping overall culturally dynamic experience. On the other hand, as a mom, I am conflicted between the impressively rounded strong female characters and the graphic battle with blade-injuries. My 13-year-old daughter may be too distracted by the intensity and tribal fight sequences to appreciate the movie as a whole.
The story takes place primarily in the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda – home of Prince T’Challa. BLACK PANTHER follows where Captain America: Civil War (2016) left off. The King of Wakanda was assassinated, and Prince T’Challa returns home to succeed the throne and take his rightful place as king. A powerful old enemy reappears, and challenges T’Challa’s mettle as king – and Black Panther. He is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.
I was completely captivated with the actors in the movie, who made the characters believable and easy to empathize with. BLACK PANTHER is now one of my favorite movies for: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis. I look forward to watching the movie again.
Another reason I admire this movie is the attention to cultural detail, bringing Afrofuturism to the big screen for all to appreciate – featuring Africa through sight, sound, color, language is ingenious.
BLACK PANTHER stars several strong, intelligent and striking black women. Multi-talented stage, screen and voice actress Lupita Nyong’o portrays Nakia, one of King T’Challa’s confidantes and respected female advisers.
Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER. L to R: Okoye (Danai Gurira), Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Ayo (Florence Kasumba). Photo: Matt Kennedy. ©Marvel Studios 2018
In a recent interview with gal-dem.com, Lupita commented on the impact that Black Panther has which goes beyond basic entertainment:
The fact that this particular image has natural hair, and dark skin, and women in positions of power, it’s just demystifying a whole lot of things that are really going to change the way children see themselves, in the back of their heads. It doesn’t even have to be a direct effect but it’s the re-conditioning of the subconscious mind and that’s where real change comes.
Danai, who plays Okoye, the tribal general explained:
We’re still on a journey in terms of seeing imagery that allows young women to understand their beauty, their power and their ferocity in exactly how they were made to be.
Strong, positive female role models are emerging now more than ever. As a mom of a pre-teen daughter, I welcome that shift away from annoying and submissive stereotypes, especially in action movies.
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