Marvel’s Black Panther Movie Review

I was invited to attended an advanced screening to create this Black Panther movie review. Please note that these are my opinions, not those of Disney or Marvel. Photos ©Marvel.

As Marvel’s first film release of 2018, The Black Panther didn’t disappoint. It lived to all of it’s anticipation and hype – beyond my expectations. Watching it, at the Black Panther World Premiere, just kept me wanting more. I can’t wait to see it again when it hits theaters February 16th, but in the meantime I’m sharing my spoiler-free Black Panther Movie Review with you!

Marvel’s Black Panther Movie Review

The Black Panther storyline picks up exactly where we last saw T’Challa in Captain America: Civil War. I highly recommend catching up on on your Marvel movies, so you have the main character’s background story. With flashbacks to Civil War, we’re immediately reminded of T’Challa’s struggle with his Father’s death.

For the first time, audiences get a true taste of T’challa’s home country. The panning shots of Wakanda are visually stunning. Even though scenes featuring the fictional country of Wakanda are full of computer-generated imagery, its evident that Marvel researched African culture to layer with modern technology and create the Wakandan backdrop.

While T’Challa is coping with his past, he’s taking his rightful place as King. I appreciate that we see a raw side to his character that makes him more relatable. With Wakanda’s future in his hands, he has to make powerful decisions that affect his loved ones and country’s people.

A strong bond between characters comes from family. T’Challa’s support and internal strength comes from his own family. Surprisingly, the supporting female characters quickly became my favorites.

Between Okoye (Dania Gurira) defending Wakanda in the traditional style of the Dorm Milaje and Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) steering T’Challa to be a moral King, it’s clear that the Women are in charge in Wakanda. Female empowerment is a common thread between each scene and one of the overall positive themes of The Black Panther.

Check out this featurette that showcases the fighting styles of Okoye and Nakia:

Particularly, Shuri (Leititia Wright), his younger Sister, steals the movie. She’s witty, sarcastic and funny. She creates the tech, used by the Black panther, that James Bond would be jealous of. The secret, yet abundant, amount of vibranium metal supplies them with plenty of power, but also makes Wakanda vulnerable.

That’s how we’re introduced to the Black Panther villians – Killmonger (Micheal B Jordan) and Klaw (Andy Serkis). Greed and revenge powers our antagonists, enough to threaten T’Challa and his position as King.

The battle scenes are hard to keep up with, as the Director (Ryan Coogler) left out no details. The ornate costuming, CGI affects, skilled hand-to-hand combat and gorgeous scenery layer together for the over-the-top fights –  until we get our gratifying ending.

Black Panther Movie Review: Appropriate for Kids?

Of course, with any Marvel movie, there will be a little bit of violence, and a little blood. After all, T’Challa is a superhero. Your child has probably begged you to go see the Black Panther movie and you need some positive reinforcement before you make you’re final decision.

Let me help you decide! There are some pretty graphic scenes that display violence and death. Although the fight scenes are incredible to watch, what’s happening is obvious to viewers. Swords piercing through bodies, guns and fighting may not be appropriate to some kids.

I think the Black Panther is great for audiences ages 10+. However, I must comment on the social responsibility this film holds to African American culture of today. It’s being released during Black History Month and it’s the FIRST Black superhero. If that has special meaning to your child, you might want to make an exception to let them see the movie. It’s making cinematic history.

Marvel’s Black Panther is in Theaters Everywhere February 16th

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