The Black Panther
The Black Panther
Now, I’ve done mini-reviews on this movie, but it’s certainly time for a full-fledged movie review!
The Black Panther is a movie about Wakanda’s very own, King T’Challa who took the throne after his father was killed during an embassy attack. The movie follows T’Challa as he navigates being a young king while wondering if his rightful place is on the throne.
T’Challa is supported by his mother, The Queen Mother, his sister, Shuri, his love, Nakia and the Dora Milaje — an all-female led force of Wakanda’s throne protectors who faithfully serve the King. The movie follows T’Challa and N’Jadaka (Eric “Killmonger” Stevens) as both of their pasts lead them right back to their tangled roots in Wakanda and at the throne.
King T’Challa — we got to see many layers of the King through his relationships with those around him. With his sister, Shuri, we saw a close and dependable bond where each party relied on the other for safety and assurance as well as laugher. If anything, these two were a playful joy to watch. Their bond was so real and so down-to-earth, it seemed like a true, adult, sibling relationship. In his bond with Nakia, we saw a man disarmed by love. With her, his poise, his swag, his style went out the window because… love! With his mother, we saw a relationship of respect and authority! And with the Dora and Wakabi, we saw relationships of lifelong friendship and honor and loyalty.
Killmonger’s agenda of liberation for his people by any means necessary directly conflicts with T’Challa’s more peaceful means leading to the ultimate struggle of good versus evil.
However, Killmonger was battling demons related to losing his father and being on his own from a young age. Not to mention a life of killing and supreme purpose.
For this role, Michael B. Jordan kept himself away from his family and close friends to truly channel the anger and deep-seeded negative thoughts and mannerisms of Eric Stevens. I say this all the time about people whose hard work shows regardless of if they tell us that they are working and Michael B. Jordan is certainly one of those people.
Thank you, Black Panther for giving us Winston Duke and his comedic timing!
I cannot not mention M’Baku’s leadership style. He is a leader who sits on the Jabari thrown and for good reason! Every move that M’Baku makes takes his people into consideration and that is the quality leadership that I LOVE TO SEE!
Visually
Visually, Black Panther is S T U N N I N G! Our first trip to Wakanda was nothing short of amazing. From the plains, to the technology to the people! Wakanda is truly everything that it’s often described as — except third world.
In my opinion, Wakanda is the most beautiful place that we’ve been taken to in the Marvel Universe, even more beautiful than Asgard!
Musically
It’s no wonder why Black Panther won so many awards, including best original soundtrack. Kendrick Lamar put so much time, talent and attention into this whole soundtrack. Every song added so much value to every singe scene and it’s so rare to witness that on-screen.
List of Awards Black Panther Has Won:
Academy Award for Best Music (Original Soundtrack)
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by Cast (or Ensemble) - Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan
Academy Award for Best Costume Design - Ruth Carter
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture - Chadwick Boseman
MTV Move & TV Award for Best Villian - Michael B. Jordan
Academy Award for Best Production Design - Hannah Beachler, Jay R. Hart
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble
MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Hero - Chadwick Boseman
Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Villian - Michael B. Jordan
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture - Michael B. Jordan
BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects - Daniel Sudick, Jesse James Chisholm, etc.
People’s Choice Award for Favorite Action Movie Star - Danai Gurira
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture - Danai Gurira
MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Performance in a Movie - Chadwick Boseman
Satellite Award for Best Visual Effects
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture - Ryan Coogler
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture
MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Movie
Costume Designers Guild Award for Excellence in Fantasy Film - Ruth Carter
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Role in a Motion Picture - Leticia Wright
ADG Excellence in Production Design Awards - Fantasy Film - Hannah Beachler
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture - Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole
BET Award for Best Movie
Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Costume Design
Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actress: Sci-Fi - Leticia Wright
Critics’ Choice Movie Award for best Visual Effects
Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Production Design
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Ensemble
Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Sci-Fi
As a community, the way that we came together to support and praise the Black Panther honestly gave me hope about the future and people! I truly believe and have seen that this one movie changed so many people’s lives, not just because of the beautiful representation, but because of the extreme message of hope and community that it gave us all!
I was one person of many who bought countless tickets just to pass them out hoping to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy this monumental movie and this very needed king. The Wakanda salute became our new dap and we truly embraced each other like we were citizens of Wakanda — it was a joyous time to be alive! To think that a film had this impact is so cool and I’m so happy to have been in a space to be able to enjoy it a million times over (because honestly I’ve seen it in theaters an embarrassing amount of times).
A big purpose of this post was to bring The Black Panther back to the forefront! With the recent digital release of Wakanda Forever, the community is crying! I know that I can’t watch that movie without crying at least twice! Re-watching the Black Panther allows for us to go back to the feeling of truly learning about our King T’Challa (but truly Chadwick Boseman).
#WAKANDAFOREVER
More Movie Reviews:
Check out my review of Creed II here:
Check out my in-depth movie review of The Greatest Showman here:
Check out my review of “Little” staring Marsai Martin here:
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