I have been waiting to organize and record my thoughts until I saw it a 2nd time (it made me want to), but the timing couldn’t line up. Never-the-less, I present this: My initial reaction to Black Panther was “So damn cool”. As time has gone on, I not only soaked it in more, but I wanted it more. I loved it more. I think I believe in its importance more. It expanded and exploded within me as a movie that is so well thought out, executed, and meaningful. I can’t say it is the best comic movie or Marvel movie, but there is not doubt that it belongs in such a discussion and every bit of success that it gets.
Though never the most fun, smartest, or most “comic bookian”, Panther might be the most profound and praise-worthy. It doesn’t have the origin perfection of Iron Man. It doesn’t have the next level groundbreaking/coming together that Avengers did. It might not even have the personality of a Spider-Man, sharp enduring a excellence of Nolan’s Batman films, or the outright marvelous fun of a jam packed Civil War/Infinity - but it has social relevance and depth that pushes through any simple film-going experience into a cultural touchstone. It harbors an intrinsic specialness to a swath of the populace, as well as the total viewership, that can not be discounted and must be appreciated. It hits every element with a grace, a refined skill, and a particular power that lets this film rise above and shine beyond.
Heaviest Marvel material since...well...ever. There is a revolutionary credence that it creates. It speaks to a larger worldview and social consciousness, and to an experience that I cannot know but can meagerly try and sympathize with. It balances such weightiness with Bondian themes & action and drama that is Shakespearean in scope and machinations. It does all of this while constantly entertaining and astounding.
This felt like the Brett Hart of movies: an Excellence of Execution. Perhaps not every element was the greatest, but I feel all of them worked, resonated, and embodied a sense of special “cool”.The costumes and overall aesthetic was excellent. Culturally significant and cool, all while being magnificently constructed. The look of just about everything was just amazing. The cinematography was quite strong. Each actor was a tremendous performer and each role was smartly rounded and interesting. Michael B. Jordan stole the show, with a flashiness and presence for a character that redefined what comic book villains can be.
I have few things to say about this film that aren’t gushing with praise, but it isn’t perfect. There are some overly long action scenes that succumb to modern fight flashy editing and computer wonky physics/creations.The CGI wasn’t exactly stellar, especially in the culminatory fight scene with Panther and Killmonger. It is in poorly defined landscape, with unknown stakes, and poorly refined versions of those characters. That said, in general, it keeps the pace up and fastly fun. The length was a tad long, but it worked within telling a larger story that meant more than standard superhero fare. There were also a few action beats that didn’t test my brain or blood pressure, namely the unnecessary car chase in Korea, but I understand its placement for this superhero audience and its pacing requirement.
Perhaps it’s a lower bar to be cleared, but the masterful pairing of big crowd pleasing action and deep character and/or social commentary is what makes the best of these films pop and made Panther such an exceptional achievement. There was a pushing and solidifying of social critique elements that I feel were the purpose of Birth of a Nation and generally smartly poked at in Get Out. I cannot say that Panther executed those elements in a more passionate, reverential, or substantial way, but its incorporation in a broad blockbuster that is so excellent will prolong its memory and implant in the collective conscious. I loved this film. Not just because it looked great. Not just because the story worked. Not just because the acting & emotions were on point. And not just because of what it means in a larger context for these movies and all people. I love it because of all of that. Coogler and Marvel did an amazing job and everyone should see this truly awesome film.
