Black Panther (2018)

Type – Feature Fiction
Genre –         Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Director – Ryan Coogler

The Marvel Cinematic Universe does it once again by making a record-smashing film. After a taste of the Black Panther (2018) in Captain America: Civil War (2016), fans were thirsty for more and they certainly got their money’s worth in this feature film. 
It has been a long time since there was a film primarily composed of a black cast and crew that did not focus solely on the tropes of the black struggle such as slavery, discrimination, the ghetto life, the hustle. Yet, in a very clever way, this film still brings them to light. Erik Killmonger’s motives are spurred by the centuries of suffering and oppression faced by people of colour, making him a villain who anyone that has ever experienced injustice of any kind can relate to. Simultaneously, the internal struggle of T’Challa upon discovering the truth about his father builds upon and enhances character development. Black Panther also portrays strong female characters, with the likes of Nakia, Okoye (head of the Dora Milaje) and Shuri. Even more impressive is Shuri’s acumen for science, which is a positive influence for young girls interested in the STEM (now also STEAM to include ‘A’ for Arts) fields (yes, you can be both a princess AND a tech wiz!).


For the first time in a long time, we are also given a positive image of Africa. Although set in the fictitious country, Wakanda, whose advancements in science and technology are certainly not something associated with the ‘third-world’ continent.  Even though some of the accents portrayed seemed a little corny and over the top, it is a good attempt by the non-African actors while also sampling from different parts of the continent. This is something which is also evident in Ruth Carter’s exemplary costume design.
Black Panther is a visually stunning film, with excellent cinematography and well done special effects. This, combined with the complex themes, well-rounded characters and emotionally-loaded script, makes it a film that is timeless which can be enjoyed again and again by people of all ages and of all walks of life.

WAKANDA FOREVER!

Rating – 4.5/5 stars

Review by Bertha Mũnũku


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