Yet another Marvel superhero saga has hit the big screens – “Black Panther”! And of course we didn’t want to miss writing about this!

Black Panther – A Near-Perfect Superhero Film!

We first experienced the magic called Black Panther in Captain America: Civil War (2016). Now Chadwick Boseman’s African superhero gets his own origin film, mounted on an epic scale by Ryan Coogler who writes (with Joe Robert Cole) and directs it. Unlike Wonder Woman, who stole the show in Batman Vs Superman, Black Panther didn’t make much of an impact though.

Black Panther – as the name suggests highlights the kingdom of Wakanda and all that Prince T’Challa (Black Panther – Chadwick Boseman) does after being invited to keep his father’s legacy, who unfortunately passes away in a civil war. Wakanda is rich thanks to its endless reserves of the precious mineral Vibranium, a resource it protects fiercely, and a purple flower that gives the leader incomparable superpowers. In Black Panther, the director showcases so much about the ancient African culture and high-end technology in the secretive land of Wakanda. T’Challa is supported by most of the tribes and of course by his mother and sister. He has also got a highly skilled all-woman army watching his back.

Lupita Nyong’o plays his former flame and a Wakanda spy Nakia. Danai Gurira is fab as General Okoye, and his sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) is a tech wizard. Shuri has a tap on advance technology – the character brings in hilarious movements and hence lightening up the tense effect and fills in a little laughter to the film! Not only does Wright get the toys, she is a complete scene-stealer, relishing her character’s irreverence as she addresses CIA agent Everett Ross (Martin Freeman, the token white actor) as “coloniser” and asks for the crowning ritual to wrap up so she can get out of her uncomfortable corset “ha ha 😀 !”. Other pivotal characters are played by Daniel Kaluuya, Angela Bassett, Sterling K Brown and Forest Whitaker.

Shuri has a tap on advance technology – the character brings in hilarious movements and hence lightening up the tense effect and fills in a little laughter to the film!

Along with its thrill of super hero action on how the character T’Challa who possesses the power of Black Panther stops the bad ass people getting their hand onto the land and technology to conquer the world, it also showcases on how T’Challa puts in efforts to change the old tradition of Wakanda of staying hidden with the fear of being consumed. Or to attract negativity because of its richness in wealth and technology and instead stretch helping hand to the poor and other oppressed and marginalized sections of African society to bring change and offer a better life.

All in all, the special effects (we recommend you watch this in 3D, if you haven’t yet!), sets, costumes, music (tribal drums and hip-hop tracks dominate) and production design are bombastic and overpowering at times, and something that you’ll enjoy. Yet, it’s also one of the better-rounded superhero origin films – with a beginning, middle and open end that efficiently sets itself up for the next encounter with the Black Panther. The movie didn’t turn out to be bad on an obvious note but also we think is definitely a one-time watch!

We’re going with a 3/5 stars for Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther. Have you watched it yet? If no, then do enjoy the show everyone with a caramel popcorn 😉 ! Do comment, like and share what you thought about Black Panther.

This post is co-authored by Madhuri Ravichandran (Maddy)!

Maddy & I – Cheers to more than a decade long friendship!