Over the past decade, Marvel has done a spectacular job building an empire of intertwined film franchises that are staggeringly successful commercially while also pleasing audiences and critics. Personally, I consider star-studded crossover efforts like The Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy among the best summer blockbusters ever made. Yet, without a doubt, the rousing, exuberant Black Panther will be remembered as Marvel Studio’s crowning achievement.
Black Panther is not an origin story – the character was introduced a few movies back, and any other expository info we might need is quickly dispensed within the first 10 minutes. Director/co-writer Ryan Coogler, fresh off the successes of Fruitvale Station and Creed, gets Black Panther off to bit of a halting start, opening with a few comparatively un-involving scenes and a hard-to-follow nighttime fight sequence. But soon T’Chalia/Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) returns to his native Wakanda, and the film quickly soars, weaving together a heartfelt narrative, tremendous action sequences, and exceptionally strong characterization.
It’s hard to know where to start when praising Black Panther. Coogler’s script, co-written with Joe Robert Cole, is spectacular. It establishes an iconic setting and a multitude of fascinating characters, builds multiple storylines to a suitably epic climax, and intelligently tackles the African-American experience from a variety of perspectives. The performances are all excellent, with Letitia Wright’s effervescent charm and Daniel Kaluuya’s brooding fury standing out amongst a stacked cast.
Well, stand-outs amongst everyone not named Michael B. Jordan, that is. As the incandescent Erik Killmonger, one of the most memorable and tragic villains in cinema history, Jordan delivers a star-making performance. Perhaps star-making is the wrong phrase: Jordan was already a star. After this role, in which he so thoroughly and completely owns what will go down as a once-in-a-generation blockbuster, he should be considered the most magnetic actor in the world. Period.
Black Panther is, honestly, a masterpiece. Like Wonder Woman, it’s a breath of fresh air. Unlike Wonder Woman, it’s also probably the best superhero movie ever made. Like Marvel’s best movies, it’s wildly entertaining and fun and exciting. Unlike those movies, it’s also insightful social commentary and a brilliant allegory. What makes Black Panther special is its combination heart and intelligence, its ability to make a studio blockbuster feel like the richest cultural experience of the year.
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