Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome to my first movie review in 2018.
Last year, some films of 2017 are either good to average. Or others, incredibly stupid that we don't wanna talk about, but we're in 2018 and im ready to do my first review in this year. Even though i should've doing a review of past films, since im such a lazy and busy person to draw something. Aw well...
Last year, i talked about three films of MCU, "Guardians of the Galaxy 2" is a nice film, but not a perfect sequel, "Spider-Man Homecoming" is a pretty good one to have yet another Spider-man movie (Man, Hollywood must be a huge fan of our friendly neighborhood hero.) and "Thor: Ragnarok" is easily the best sequel of MCU films since Civil War.
Speaking of Civil War, im talking about a film came out recently that he appeared two years after than Spider-man who came one one year after.
"Black Panther" is a 2018 superhero film that was written/directed by Ryan Coogler, produced by Kevin Feige and co-written by Joe Robert Cole.
This is one film that i was curious when i was doing a research from two years ago that they're planning to making another standalone African American hero from... Well, Africa. But of course, they introduced him in Civil War, which is way too soon than Spider-man. But to be fair, he's rather interesting when he appeared in the first act. But i was overly curious for where did he come from, until we got the answer in today's review.
So, with all that said, will this movie holds up for Black communities, or is gonna be a disappointed start of 2018 films?
Well, lets find out.
The Story
It started the origin of "Wakanda" thanks to five African tribes warred about a meteorite of Vibranium, when someone gets it, it make one become superhuman with abilities under the name "Black Panther". And because of Vibranium, it created Wakanda into a futuristic tribe and isolated themselves from the world as a "Third World". Later in present time, after "Civil War" where the late king T'Chaka was killed by Helmut Zemo's explosive trap, the son T'Challa returns to his home world to becoming the king of Wakanda from the combat ritual against Jabari leader "M'Baku". But one day, the Wakandan artifact was stolen from the museum by Klaue and Erik "Killmonger" Stevens for their artifact plan. Its up to T'Challa to stop Klaue and "Killmonger" once and for all.
I find the story itself is just a typical story, but it got more interesting to explain about the past in 1992 and even where did Wakanda began, i mean, the movie itself is sorta focused on Black Panther himself and even the third world itself. Even though that there's a subplot where we have a CIA agent is with Everett K. Ross for intended buying or something reason, which i was question about his appearance in the movie. As for the joke, it was more than average which i've seen or heard that it made me laugh, even though some didn't work that went out of nowhere, like one scene where Shuri does a Vine reference over T'Challa's sandals of "What are those?!", which i was like "Why are you doing a Vine reference?".
The story itself is rather good, even though was questioned from the subplot with CIA agent in my opinion.
The Production
Im pretty sure it will be too simple to say "Its another great looking production with suits, background and action". But yeah, it is pretty good. The filming location is a nice choice for the plot and a futuristic setting of Wakanda, which they did a great job for the effects and the CGI. Even though that some effects seems to have a problem, despite of some CG quality is a bit video game-ish, but others got bugged. For example, when T'Challa is in a healing ritual in other dimension thing, i noticed the background was frozen, like what happened here? Didn't they even verify the effect before releasing the film in the big screen? Come on, Kevin, you could've done better than that.
Despite the flaws, some concept of Wakanda's weapon is pretty cool, like they have a seat to take control a random vehicle from the tracking device, i like that idea. And of course, im not forget about the costume designs, the suit of "Black Panther" looks pretty cool and yet simple, even though they made three different suits of Black Panther, whether is from 1992, the first act one and current one with purple part. I think they did a good job for other outfits to fitting in based on five different tribes in Wakanda, which making them colorful. Even though its a one helluva film that takes about nearly 2 in a half hours.
Though the production is great, but it may not be perfect with some issues. Again, even though its a long film.
The Characters
I can say the some characters are quiet interesting, even though that some wasn't that good.
First is our titular hero T'Challa, aka Black Panther (played by Chadwick Boseman), i find him to be a interesting, even though he's a main focus in the movie, though he's also considered as an "Anti-hero" for his awareness of responsibility. He has the agility, enhanced strength and of course, claws from his suit, pretty cool that i might say. But of course, i think Chadwick did a nice work of his role.
Next we have our main villain named Erik Stevens, aka KillMonger (played by Michael B. Jordan), at first, i though he's gonna be a cool looking villain in the movie that he's a former Wakandan for his evil plan. But sadly, i find him to be an above average villain for his cliche, especially where he killed one of his minion. (Typical villain...) But don't give me wrong, he has some interesting traits that he's strategic and skilled and Michael did a great job for his role. But at least his role was better than "Fant4stic".
Then we have Nakia (originally to be Malice in the comic, played by Lupita Nyong'o), she's a spy of River Tribe and claimed to be a former love interest of T'Challa. She's kinda like Black Widow for a spy, but different, but i find her to be ok. Though i never heard of Lupita, but she did a descent job.
And we have Okoye (played by Danai Gurira) a proud and badass Wakandan from Border Tribe and an all-female special forces called "Dora Milaje". I find her to be a likable side character for her serious business and probably a sidekick of Black Panther as his bodyguard, i like it and Danai is also did a great work.
While the rest, again, they can be either likable or not. Like Everett K. Ross (played by Martin Freeman) is a CIA agent who's probably a sidekick punching bag, W'Kabi (played by Daniel Kaluuya) who's T'Challa best friend from Border Tribe, Shuri (played by Letitia Wright ) who's a Wakandan version of Tony Stark, because of bringing new technologies, innovative and probably genius (i think she's also a likable side character), M'Baku (played by Winston Duke) who's ruthless and aggressive leader of Jabari against T'Challa and Klaue (played by Andy Serkis) who's a South-African arm-dealer, smuggler and gangster henchman of KillMonger, though im aware this is his second appearance after "Age of Ultron".
I find some character are enjoyable that they could be my favorite like T'Challa, Okoye and Shuri,, some maybe average like KillMonger, but others is an easy punching bag like Everett.
And now for my final opinion of this film.
Overall, its a great start for me to see "Black Panther", with interesting story, great production and some fun characters. The action scene are always fun for watching (especially it adds a scene of humor), a nice suit designs and good acting. Even though it has a nitpick of a subplot with CIA agent loser, some issues of production and some character would've done better for development in my opinion.
But, is it worth of watching for Black communities? I can say yes, which i find it to be recommending to watch if you love action and probably a sense of humor. So, give this one to watching it, again, it was a great start for me.
Il give it 8.5/10.
So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have you opinion or any suggestions, let me know in the comments bellow.
Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.
