To say I was excited to see Marvel’s Black Panther would be an understatement. As a longtime fan of Marvel movies, I was counting down the days until Black Panther was released. To be completely honest, seeing all of the amazing things people were saying online only had me more pumped to see the film, but also apprehensive. Was it really possible that this movie could live up to all the hype?
Director Ryan Coogler and the amazing cast did not disappoint, and the film not only lived up to all of my expectations, but it exceeded them.
Black Panther is set in the fictional African country of Wakanda, and follows T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) as he ascends to the throne following the death of his father. T’Challa must choose how best to rule his country as he grapples with the decision to rule as his ancestors did and remain an isolationist country, or to break tradition and share the scientific and technological advances Wakanda has kept hidden from the world.
While the movie fits into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, absolutely anyone can enjoy this film regardless of whether they’ve seen any other Marvel movies. And while this movie at its core is, in fact, a superhero movie, Black Panther transcended the stereotypes of the genre and produced a film that is culturally, socially and politically relevant. As much as I love the other movies that Marvel has released, it was refreshing and much needed change to see a cast of talented black actors and actresses portraying powerful characters that will serve as role models for children watching the films, instead of one dominated by white males.
Black Panther marks the first Marvel solo movie since the MCU was rebooted with 2009’s Iron Man to star a black superhero, and with 2019’s Captain Marvel starring Brie Larson in development, it’s clear that Marvel is making strides towards a more inclusive lineup of superheroes, and as a fan this couldn’t be more excited.
If you’re lucky enough to catch Black Panther while it’s still in theaters, I guarantee that Wakanda will stay in your heart and mind for a long time to come.
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