Black Panther is Marvel’s boldest movie yet, and fortunately, it’s also one of its best. As a studio, Marvel has thrived by redefining the constructs of serialized cinematic storytelling, honoring the comic book characters fans love, and allowing filmmakers to put their singular stamp on the material. Back Panther checks all those marks, but it’s also allowed to be more insular than the average Marvel movie; a decision that proves not just beneficial, but essential when you realize the full weight of the story it wants to tell. Because Black Panther isn’t just a crowd-pleasing superhero movie ( though it is that for sure) , it’s a vital moment in cinema history and a heartfelt, thoughtful exploration of the scars of colonialism and the hope for healing.
Directed by Creed and Fruitvale Station helmer Ryan Coogler, Black Panther picks up with Chadwick Boseman‘s T’Challa after the events of Captain America: Civil War and his father’s untimely death when he returns to his homeland and takes the throne as new king of Wakanda. After a brief glimpse in the Civil War post-credits, we finally get to see the kingdom in all its glory; a wondrous, Afrofuturist land of technology and rich, unhindered culture thriving in modern times, though kept secret from the world. Marvel has made a habit of taking us to spectacular new realms in their recent films, and Black Panther proudly carries that torch. Production design, costumes, and of course, visual effects are all on point, and newly minted Oscar-nominee Rachel Morrison shoots every frame to embrace the sumptuous detail.