It's easy to roll one's eyes whenever a new Marvel movie comes out and all the reviews come back positive, with everyone claiming it's the best Marvel movie yet and it changes the game. They say that about every one of these things that gets released! And sure, sometimes they are great and change things up for that character (a la Thor: Ragnarok), but none of them are really revolutionary.
And yet, Black Panther is the best Marvel movie yet and could potentially change the game, with its very existence itself being revolutionary.
It's hard to know if superhero fatigue is genuinely kicking in as these films continue to do well at the box office, but Marvel has largely been good at staying ahead of the curve in a way that Warner Brothers, Sony, and Fox have definitely not. When grounded origin stories were getting old, they gave us more genre flicks. When that started getting a bit dull, they started embracing the weirdness of properties like Dr. Strange and Thor: Ragnarok. And when the bland visual and musical styling of the franchises started getting stale, they gave us Black Panther. They are not always successful at doing this, of course, but it is generally why Marvel Studios continues to stay relevant and popular while other studios struggle to figure it out.
Much will be made about the representation aspect of its release. While not the first blockbuster starring black characters front and center, or even first superhero film centered on a black character (lest we forget Blade effectively kicked off the modern obsession with the genre in Hollywood), it is the first in the post-Marvel Studios world, where studios are constantly pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into these properties. Even more, this is a Hollywood blockbuster film featuring a predominantly black cast. Other than Andy Serkis and Martin Freeman, the only other white characters are nameless henchmen. As a white person, it does not feel like my place at all to comment on the power this alone has for people, but for all the overly-represented people saying representation in media doesn't matter, just a quick scroll through Twitter indicates it very much does.
Representation does not make a good film alone, however. And that doesn't mean anything about the entertainment value of a superhero flick. Fortunately, Marvel hired Ryan Coogler, a director whose first three feature films are Fruitvale Station, Creed, and now Black Panther. (If RottenTomato scores are something you value, his first three features garnered ratings of 94%, 95%, and 97%.) What we got was a complex story about identity and the struggle to find it in a rapidly changing world, all wrapped up nicely in the fun and exciting superhero package.
Put simply: this is exactly what the genre needs more of.
Marvel movies do a great job weaving in emotional moments using lovable characters in an entertaining world, but largely avoid dealing with anything too complex or challenging. Stripped to their basics, most superhero films, especially Marvel ones, are primarily just about characters learning to accept responsibility. The main theme of Iron Man is the same as from Spider-man is the same as from Man of Steel is the same as from Thor is the same as from Ant-Man, Dr. Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Avengers, X-Men and really, most superhero flicks. Maybe The Incredible Hulk is a bit more "self-acceptance" and Captain America is more "power comes from character" than "with great power there must also come great responsibility," but that's still a major part of it.
With Black Panther, T'Challa doesn't need to learn the concept of responsibility. He has trained his entire life to become king of Wakanda. He is well aware of his responsibility and does not shirk away from it at any moment of the film. For him, it's a question of what exactly that responsibility calls for him to do. Many would have him maintain the status quo. Defend the old ways. Remain isolationist and continue what has always made Wakanda a strong, independent nation. For others, it would be to reach out. Create a new way of Wakanda, one that includes outreach to help neighboring nations and the oppressed people of the world. They have the means and knowledge, so they should. Others want expansionism through force, using their skill as warriors and superior weapons to shape the world according to their will.
The question of Wakanda's future stems from one of identity the central theme of the film. When you really boil it all down, the love interest and the villain kind of want the same thing. Both Nakia and Killmonger want to use Wakandan knowledge and resources to help people. And it is our hero, T'Challa, who stands opposed. It is the protagonist who doesn't think Wakandan resources should be used to help outsiders because Wakanda needs to remain secret for its own safety and prosperity. It is not a question of him failing to be responsible; rather it is a question of what his responsibility dictates he do. Many in Wakanda would see his defense of isolationism as the right and responsible course of action for the nation.
Themes of identity get tied up in here pretty heavily. Killmonger has no real place to call "home." Wakandan by blood, he has been forced to live in America, with its rich history of disenfranchising and oppressing people of color. He is unwelcome where he grew up, but also where his ancestors are from. "Black" is the primary identity, and it has a global bond. He relates to "his people" because of the common struggle. For T'Challa, that isn't how he sees himself. He is the leader of Wakanda. His national identity takes precedence, thus he does not help people of color around the world in order to protect the national interests. He is a leader of Wakandans, and no one else.
Coogler brilliantly crafts a story that can have deeper meaning and relevance for certain audience members while incorporating themes just universal enough to resonate with everyone. Though I can't personally relate to the questions of black identity, I can relate to the questions of globalism vs. isolationism. What is our responsibility in America as a wealthy, powerful nation to the rest of the world? Am I defined purely by arbitrary geographical and political boundaries? Even within the United States: am I a Massachusetts man first and an American second? There has never been a superhero film this specific and universal all at the same time.
Killmonger is, without question, the most compelling villain in a Marvel film yet. Granted, that doesn't necessarily mean anything, but that speaks to the movie's quality and why so many are raising it above the rest. Loki might be more entertaining and memorable; Killmonger is a bad guy who you listen to when he speaks. He makes you hate him for acting pure evil to then reflecting and thinking, "I mean...he kinda...does...have a point though..." While he's never likable, and the vengeance element of his goal separates his desire from Nakia's, you definitely understand where he's coming from. He isn't one of these monster-of-the-week villains who is just there to destroy the world or craves power. The ability to understand the antagonist's motivation is key to a compelling villain and, thus, a compelling story within the superhero genre.
Of course, it helps that Michael B. Jordan was conceived by the physical manifestation of Screen Presence and Charisma. Everyone knows where Wallace is now. The cast is amazing, but Jordan just brings it in a way no Marvel villain has yet.
While the obvious subtext will be about identity and how we define ourselves especially in regards to race and nationality, there is criticism of masculine society too. For starters, it could easily be argued that Killmonger represents toxic masculinity. He and Nakia both want Wakanda to help people, but Nakia seeks to do so with peaceful means. She doesn't mind fighting if the need arises, and indeed involves herself in affairs across the border to help the oppressed, but she doesn't go out with vengeance in mind. Killmonger, conversely, wants revenge on a world that has seen rampant colonization of Africa and systematic oppression of black people across the globe. He doesn't just seek to uplift his people. He seeks revenge and subsequently channels his anger through violence in a way that Nakia does not. The look of Killmonger speaks to this notion as well. Jordan is as finely tuned a machine as you will find in a human, and yet he has scarred his own body. Without his modifications, he would very much resemble the ideal male form. Yet it isn't, because he's sense of vengeance and inability to appropriately channel anger made him scar it up.
While Wakanda is full of kick-ass women warriors, it is the men who actively want to enact violence. It is Okoye, the woman leading the royal vanguard, who initially wants to protect the old way of isolationism and order. It is her lover W'Kabi, the man in charge of the rhino corps, who seems interested in expanding Wakandan influence through war. While both embrace a new future by the end, it is still Okoye fighting for future peace.
Additionally, it's hard to ignore that during the final battle, it starts off essentially as a battle between men (who want to use violence to expand Wakandan political influence and power) and women (who are fighting to protect more traditional and peaceful means). It should also be noted that T'Challa is, without question, the most emotionally healthy hero in the MCU. He often tries to talk opponents down, plans on violence as a last resort if necessary, and even when having a momentary lapse in judgment because of an emotional response, will listen to those around him. T'Challa is the most emotionally mature and healthy male character in these superhero movies. It would be hard to ignore the reality that he is constantly surrounding himself with women as his closest advisers.
A nation of five tribes, each with their own leadership that advises the king, Wakandan society is at the heart of every good Black Panther story. It is no different here. And in Wakandan society, women are equally important. T'Challa has a group of female fighters around him at most times, including the head of the vanguard and Nakia, a spy who is also well-trained for combat. But more, the king's council is comprised of a number of women, including his mother. His sister, Shuri, is head of technological development (and in the comics, took up the Black Panther mantle for a few years). Recognizing that makes it really understandable why Wakandan women would want more defense of tradition. This would be a hard motivation to understand in western societies that have largely been built to elevate men over women.
In essence, it could even be said that the film isn't even about it's titular character. T'Challa does have an arc and experience growth, sure. Yet the primary character actually seems to be Wakanda itself. Though T'Challa is a likeable character outright (and Chadwick Boseman is a killer Black Panther), we ultimately care about his fate because we care about Wakanda. Killmonger might have a point sometimes, but we know he's bad for the nation. We want T'Challa to come back and save the day because we know he would be a better, more fair king. And when all is said and done, his experience with Killmonger even gets him to agree that Wakanda needs to do more for people, especially of color, around the world. Yeah, it's a Marvel movie in which the villain actually succeeds in influencing the actions of the hero.
One of the few criticisms I have for the film is actually that I wanted more Wakanda. By no means is it poorly done or even mediocre in its execution. However, I would have enjoyed maybe ten more minutes during Act I wherein T'Challa has to deal with internal political issues. Maybe one of the tribes requests certain resources for help fixing a flood, but the other tribe feels that it would remove resources they need to handle a problem of their own. Something wherein T'Challa would have to hear conflicting opinions about what should be done and having to make a decision of his own using that information and insight of advisers. Could have fleshed out Wakandan politics a little bit more while also highlighting the complications he will face and the struggle to be the good king he wishes to be.
But at the end of the day, "I wanted even more" isn't exactly a bad sign for the film. (I also wanted more Killmonger, and as great as he was, he could have stood a little more fleshing out. But really, I just wanted more Jordan on screen.)
The only other criticism was in its action. To be sure, it's still solid superhero action. However, the problem with its action are identical to every single superhero film's action to date: too much CGI. When you've got a fight between two costumed, masked humans conducting hand-to-hand combat, it would have been nice to have actual martial artist stuntmen performing choreographed fights. Instead, we get a lot of poorly lit CGI characters punching CGI characters, all with quick and shaky camerawork. This is a constant problem of the genre and really stands out because its ultimately an action film. I kind of want to actually see the action.
Other than that, Black Panther really seems to have an answer to every criticism I've personally had about Marvel films. Absolutely, I have enjoyed every Marvel movie except Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark Thor. I love the basic character-driven action that pushes the genre, and that's why I love the comics as well. But I've long felt like they could at least attempt something with substance. It makes sense, really, that Black Panther would do that, given the comic itself was born out of a cultural and political movement. The creation of Black Panther as a comic book was itself a political act. (And famously, his second solo storyline was "Black Panther vs. the Klan.") It only makes sense, especially given the current political and social climate, Black Panther would be the first Marvel film to really try to tackle meaningful, substantial, and challenging themes.
It does that in the neat casing of a superhero flick. Even if you want to tune out and not think, the film is still enjoyable as a "dumb superhero movie." It's got well-defined characters, solid action, cool gadgets and outfits, and a great sense of humor. More importantly, Coogler knows when to cut it out. It's not as funny as Thor: Ragnarok, but Taika Waititi built his film to be more of an actual comedy. There isn't "relief" in the film so much as there is occasional breaks in the comedy for seriousness. The humor in Black Panther is great, but never crosses the line. He knows when to stop cracking wise, so - one meme-based joke that won't age well aside - the comedy works really well.
On top of wanting a fun superhero flick with some thematic substance and weight, it also finally gives us interesting cinematography. A big criticism of Marvel films is its muting of colors. Everything is just a drab brown, gray, or otherwise dark color. These movies aren't exactly known for being all that colorful, despite being comic book movies. We started to get more of it in Dr. Strange, and then again in Thor: Ragnarok, but even those films make sure to subdue its colorization some. In Black Panther, colors really pop. The best scene transition takes us from Wakanda, with its rich, vibrant colors where the outfits are colorful, the sky is bright blue, the greens are pure, and even the browns are light and stand out - to London, where all color has been washed out and it's just foggy, dark, and grey.
Finally, the thing Thor: Ragnarok did in letting its composer Mark Mothersbaugh actually inject some classic Mark Mothersbaugh into the score is expanded on. Criticizing Marvel scores has been pretty popular online lately, as they are always these generic orchestral sounds that are indistinguishable from one another and are ham-fisted in how it hits an emotion. The greatness of Kendrick Lamar's album inspired by the motion picture cannot be understated, but composer Ludwig Goransson does a great job in his own right balancing classic orchestral scores with traditional African music. It shouldn't be a surprise that Goransson excelled at creating a great original score. After all, he was key as co-producer of three Childish Gambino albums and has been signed to Jay-Z's label as a composer. (He also scored Community, as well as Coogler's previous two films.)
It would have been easy for Marvel to just tell a generic, yet fun action story, cast mostly black actors, and called it a day. They would have gotten credit and a big payday at the box office for just that. Yet they appear to have allowed Ryan Coogler to make the film he wanted, just as they seem to have let Waititi make his Thor as well. What we ended up with was easily the most compelling, substantive, challenging, and thematic superhero film since The Dark Knight.
Marvel's last two films - Black Panther and Thor: Ragnarok - have been helmed by people of color. Before this, Warner Brothers finally made a well-liked film with Wonder Woman, directed by a woman. It's almost as if diversifying your creative team can lead to new ideas and original visions stemming from the differing life experiences, and that those creators can tell stories that speak to a wide audience that has generally felt under served in media.
And with Black Panther poised to just wreck the box office this weekend, it's almost as if diversifying and trying to appeal to wider audiences (instead of just whiter audiences) is actually...*gasp*...good for business!
REDUCTIVE RATING: Loooooved it!
