Film Review | Black Panther

Black Panther is directed by Ryan Coogler and stars Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong'o and Michael B. Jordan.

Action/Sci-Fi/Adventure. Released 2018.

I was highly anticipating this film, primarily because T'Challa made such an impression on many audience members (including myself) in Captain America: Civil War. This was in addition with the fact that in Black Panther, fans would be introduced to the brand new world of Wakanda, rich in history and progressive in technology. 

And this anticipation immensely paid off.

Ryan Coogler does a tremendous job in establishing Wakanda, building a breathtakingly modern yet timeless visual scope. With sweeping city scapes and authentic tribal culture at play, Wakanda is a fantastic place to lose yourself in. 

Additionally, the people of Wakanda are fantastic to watch, thanks to the excellent performances given by the leading cast. Chadwick Boseman embodies the power and grandeur that T'Challa holds as the Wakandan monarch, also responsible for comedic moments as well as being the centre of several spectacular action scenes, which mostly oppose Michael B. Jordan's Killmonger, who - as of the film's release - was the best villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He is written with purpose, and this is heightened by the incredibly threatening yet slightly comedic performance given, and proves Killmonger to be a real threat to T'Challa's respected throne.

Danai Garira is outstanding as Okoye - she didn't need to, but she ultimately stole the show. Her delivery of comedic lines is pitch perfect, evoking several laughs from audiences. Her costuming helps, but she is spectacular in her action sequences and most certainly delivers on the promise that she is Wakanda's greatest warrior. Garira is so incredibly deserving of the praise she is receiving as well as her significant inclusion in Avengers: Infinity War.

Lupita Nyong'o as Nakia and Letitia Wright as Shuri also deliver stellar work, with the extroverted Shuri being the centre of many comedic moments in the film and Nakia being one of the emotional hooks to T'Challa's story...

...And his story is so compelling. There are no moments where plot points are just used as a vehicle to get characters to a certain location or action sequence; everything that happens is relevant and consequential to previous events, which made the story all the more convincing.

The one and only issue with this film is the very VFX-heavy final battle on the Wakandan fields. It is spectacular, however there is an element introduced around the middle of it that is unnecessary and resulted in the battle being longer than it needed to be. But what I am referring to is one small element of a larger conflict, and it may even be of enjoyment to others. And that's it. Everything else is flawless.

A spectacular introduction to a lovable

ensemble of characters as well as a sweeping,

scope-widening new world in Wakanda.

Be enthralled if you haven't already :)