The story (from Marvel Studios Press Release)
Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to take his rightful place as King. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.
Marvel does an outstanding job of showcasing women as strong, beautiful, and fierce. They are the warriors of the Wakandan tribe! "Black Panther"'s female characters possess sharp minds AND exceptional skills. General Okoye is the fiercest warrior among them all and Princess Shuri is the brain behind the technological advancements. The film does a nice job of portraying the complexity of nurturing care, brilliant intelligence, and fighting prowess of women.
Reason #2
This Marvel film came from a totally different feel, an indigenous, tribal village vibe. The fight scenes consist of back-to-basics human combat, a refreshing departure from the fiery blasts, explosions, virtual reality, "Matrix"-like visual trickery one finds in a majority of the usual Marvel films. But of course there are still exciting chase scenes! The Wakandans hold the most advanced technology in the world, however challenge battles for leadership occurs with no armor, superpowers and only hand weapons. Members from each tribe watch, standing mountains high, filling in each hollow of the creviced mountainside as the fights take place in the water below them. The rhythmic chest and shoulder movements of the tribe members, synchronized to the sound of escalating tribal drums, move the audience to the peak of each fight. The entirety of the film is so dramatic in visual and sound, the effect on the audience is momentous!
Reason #3
This film truly displays the theme of duty vs. honor in various ways. While the film is steadfast in calling on T'challa's father and ancestors to honor their legacy, things are not all rosy as a family secret is revealed. T'challa defies his fate to chastise his father and ancestors on their wrongdoings. As King, he vows to make things right -even if it means outing the secret of his family, battling the monster his family made, and exposing Utopian Wakanda against the desires of dissenters. In another instance, General Okuye, in the heat of battle and face to face with her lover, boldly declares where she stands between loyalty and love. The movie has moments of difficult decisions that make you wonder what you would do in their place.
These are my three reasons why I loved "Black Panther"! I encourage you to watch this film and please let me know what you thought!
“Black Panther” stars Chadwick Boseman (“Captain America: Civil War,” “Get on Up”), Michael B. Jordan (“Creed,” “Fruitvale Station”), Academy Award® winner Lupita Nyong’o (“Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “12 Years a Slave”), Danai Gurira (“The Walking Dead,” “All Eyez on Me”), Martin Freeman (“The Hobbit” trilogy, “Sherlock”), Daniel Kaluuya (“Get Out,” “Sicario”), Letitia Wright (“Urban Hymn,” “Glasgow Girls”), Winston Duke (“Person of Interest, “Modern Family”), with Academy Award® nominee Angela Bassett (“American Horror Story,” “London Has Fallen”), with Academy Award® winner Forest Whitaker (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” Lee Daniels’ “The Butler”) and Andy Serkis (“Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”).
