Black Panther Spoiler Free Movie Review

I just watched an advance screening of Black Panther with my partner late last night. Just came from a very busy Tuesday work day. I was half tired and half sleepy going into the movie theater but I still enjoyed the movie and managed to take enough notes to make this spoiler free review. This is a two hour and a half movie and my popcorn was already cold halfway through it. Some call this the first ever superhero movie with its general cast of character being made entirely of black people. I am super excited at the concept alone as there are a lot of talented black folks that should be given more recognition. Ill try not to dive into spoiler territory for this one although I will probably be touching on things that has already been shown in the trailers and the likes.

Black Panther is a film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Produced under Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney., it is the eighteenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Directed by Ryan Coogler from a screenplay by him and Joe Robert Cole. It stars Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa / Black Panther, alongside Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.

Visually the movie is stunning in its entirety. Mostly the scenes from the fictional, hidden futuristic land of Wakanda. It is a land with a mixture of futuristic technology while still being grounded in its native roots. I love how they did this without going over the top on both the native and the modern aspects of the setting.

The action scenes are impressive although some of the scenes in my opinion are a bit too dark and often times confusing times confusing that you probably need two or three more viewing just to appreciate the scene or even apprehend what really happened. Maybe if they had a pause button in the movie theater when such scene happens it would probably help. They could have probably slow down certain scenes for better effect and would have made these scenes enjoyable. But I guess having a two and a half hour movie already they are trying to fit everything.

The story side is one of this movies best points. Viewers not familiar with the Black Panther mythos wont be confused as this movie takes enough time to explain pretty much the characters origin, the politics and the native roots surrounding the character and the technological wonder of Wakanda and how the world views it both as an outsider and a native of Wakanda. It even touches on racial issues without really delving into the subject too much which I found was a nice touch yet. It also deals about the burden of being a leader and how much weight they carry on their shoulder to protect those under him.

Folks who wanted to have an action packed movie might find all this political aspect of the movie a turn off but I find it a refreshing approach in the sea of superhero movies which most of the selling points are the superhero action fights. The characters dont only fight it out physically, their ideals also clash and you can see where each of the character is coming from. I havent seen this style of superhero story writing approach since Captain America: The Civil War movie.

Character development is another one of this movies best point as most of the characters are forced to question their concept of loyalty, love and their notions of what is right and wrong when things they thought that are absolute truths turn out to be lies. This doesnt only evolve on the main characters but also to the supporting cast as well. And there at the least four to five supporting characters in this movie. Almost each of the character shine when they are on screen. Even minor ones have their moments like important strands to the weave in a great tapestry of the story.

Individual fight scenes are well done too that some of the supporting characters feel like they could also star in their own superhero film. The location of the different areas of Wakanda is impressive that its like an entire new world unto itself. The music score and soundtrack fits the atmosphere and theme of the film. With its tribal drums and african beats help. I do feel some characters needed more air time but this movie is long enough as it is.

Sadly even great movies have their weak point and Black Panther has some although quite few and in between, one being some of the dialogue are accent heavy or delivered in a way that it is hard to make out what they are saying at some of the scenes. This movie also tried to put some comedic and quirky funny one liners that failed due to the heavy accent and bad line delivery. I think Ive only laughed at only two to three of the funny moments and ive counted at the least ten of them. I get the joke but its not really that funny. But that is minimum considering how great the story aspect and the character development done in the film. But I guess thats me being overly picky again.

As a whole this is a great movie and something Id easily recommend for fans of superhero movies. Fans of the character and folks not familiar with Black Panther will enjoy this although there are some cliché moments. This film narrative and characters is its movies high points so if your looking for a superhero movie that is more than just impressive fight than this movie is definitely a movie for you.

Be sure to watch out for a post credit scene and after credit scene.

credits to IMDb for the screenshots.