Reviews from the Dark Side
Black Panther
Black Panther
Released 2/16/18
Disney has been on a bit of a downturn for me as of late. While owning two of the biggest franchise labels in Hollywood in Star Wars and Marvel Studios, I haven't been overly impressed with the Mouse's recent releases. If you've read my previous reviews, I did give Ragnarok and The Last Jedi the benefit of the doubt upon first viewing. I regret that decision as I've grown to loathe both in reflection. As a matter of fact, I haven't been jumping out of my seat for any of the Marvel Studios releases since Civil War. Don't misunderstand. I thought Doctor Strange, Guardians 2, and Spider-Man: Homecoming were good, at times very good, just not special. In retrospect, those three films fall in line with most of the releases from Marvel Studios for me with the exception of a handful (first Iron Man, first Avengers, first Guardians, The Winter Soldier, and Civil War), a group I affectionately call "the Five." This week's release of Black Panther has come with a plethora of enthusiastic hype. So much so, I had a small tinge of trepidation that it couldn't possibly measure up.
The verdict on Ryan Coogler's first superhero foray? Faint praise, but, it's a huge bounce back for me from Ragnarok. But, I can't quite say it makes the "Five" into the "Six."
Chadwick Boseman reprises his role from 2016's Civil War as the newly crowned King T'Challa of the highly advanced African nation of Wakanda. In addition to keeping Wakanda's wealth and technology hidden from the rest of the world, T'Challa faces the additional dangers of keeping the nation safe from its enemies as its totemic protector, Black Panther. In an adventure that draws the king from his home, he hotly pursues longstanding Wakandan enemy, Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) who has a continued interest in the country's store of the rare metal, Vibranium. In addition, to Klaue, the Panther faces multiple challenges to his thrown both internally and externally from a sin of his father's past.
So, first of all, there is a great deal to like about Black Panther. The appearance of Wakanda really does look like a technological marvel that would make Tony Stark blush. It's a sprawling city of light, hover vehicles, and towers that gives the nation an almost alien visage. And amidst the advanced tech, you still get a taste of traditional African customs and attire presenting a fascinating dichotomy of ideals. Coogler, the art directors, and cinematographers should all take a bow here.
There was some amazing CGI involving virtual reality. The car chase through South Korea was beautiful with the inclusion of one vehicle that was completely virtually controlled. The same can be said of the air dogfight near the end of the film.
However, as good as those scenes were, the CGI was kind of comically bad at other junctures. The rhino stampede is something that should have been left on the cutting room floor. There was nothing that looked remotely natural about that herd. Also, the final fight between Black Panther and Killmonger was slightly weird at times. While BP has greater prowess than an ordinary human being, he shouldn't quite have the unnatural, inhuman movements of Spider-Man.
The casting included a who's who of both newer and established actors with the likes of Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Lupita Nyong'o, Daniel Kaluuya (of Get Out fame), Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Leticia Wright, and Michael B. Jordan lending their talents to a cast that already included the aforementioned Boseman and Serkis. All provide more than adequate performances with standouts for me being Gurira as fierce Wakandan general, Okoye, and Jordan as the primary antagonist, Killmonger. As you're watching this, you have the impression Okoye could take down anyone in this film by herself. She'll be a welcome addition to the cast in the upcoming Infinity War.
The pain and anger expressed by Jordan makes Killmonger one of the more intriguing and nuanced villains we've seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, I do have one issue. Once again in Killmonger we're presented with the same old stereotypical model of what some think a black person is. A common street thug. In a way, I guess Jordan's character is an uncommon thug given his military training. But, couldn't he have been a middle class or well-to-do angry sociopath? Does it always have to come down to being a downtrodden street tough?
Approaching this on a completely social level, I think Black Panther, like Wonder Woman a year ago, represents an important step in diversity in this particular cinematic genre. From early reports, it's been very well received and rightly so. It's a good movie. And, it's been far too long that some groups have been without an icon on the big screen they can point to. And, no. I haven't forgotten about Blade. But, that was a different era and didn't have nearly the hype train BP has.
All that said, I wasn't completely enamored with BP. Looking at it from an MCU angle, I did find it a little disappointing that it really didn't move toward the greater narrative of the upcoming Thanos saga we'll see in May. In fact, the only connection between BP and the Infinity War is the final credit scene involving...ah, ah, ah. That would be telling. In my mind, all roads should be leading to the Infinity War in some minor way. Doctor Strange was a perfect example of how this could be done. It very much told its own character story while introducing an element (the time stone) that will become extremely important in the future. We're still missing one Infinity Stone and there's plenty of current speculation that it might be in Wakanda. Maybe that will still prove to be true. If it is, it would have been nice to have some reference to that plot.
There has been a fair amount of critique recently of the MCU's use of levity in their style of moviemaking. To a degree, I understand the criticism. Until recently, I wasn't bothered by it. BP still has the trademark Marvel humor, but, it doesn't go over the top with it. The film is serious when it needs to be serious. Believe me, after Ragnarok, you don't know how much I appreciate that.
Black Panther is a good film, a very good one at certain moments. I wanted so much for it to be great, but, if I'm honest, I don't feel it to that extent. I got pretty much the same feeling after seeing Guardians of the Galaxy 2. It's an entertaining one-off type of movie for this character. But, it's a missed opportunity if you're looking for a bridge to the larger event coming in May. I liken BP to getting a hamburger when your taste buds are set for a steak dinner. Even if you get it made just the way you like it with all the fixings...it still ain't a steak.
The Dark Lord of the Sith says:
***3/4 stars
Ratings Legend*= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Worth a look. Better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. I'm doing my happy dance!
5 *= Pure eye candy. I have seen the top of the mountain, and it is good
The verdict on Ryan Coogler's first superhero foray? Faint praise, but, it's a huge bounce back for me from Ragnarok. But, I can't quite say it makes the "Five" into the "Six."
Chadwick Boseman reprises his role from 2016's Civil War as the newly crowned King T'Challa of the highly advanced African nation of Wakanda. In addition to keeping Wakanda's wealth and technology hidden from the rest of the world, T'Challa faces the additional dangers of keeping the nation safe from its enemies as its totemic protector, Black Panther. In an adventure that draws the king from his home, he hotly pursues longstanding Wakandan enemy, Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) who has a continued interest in the country's store of the rare metal, Vibranium. In addition, to Klaue, the Panther faces multiple challenges to his thrown both internally and externally from a sin of his father's past.
So, first of all, there is a great deal to like about Black Panther. The appearance of Wakanda really does look like a technological marvel that would make Tony Stark blush. It's a sprawling city of light, hover vehicles, and towers that gives the nation an almost alien visage. And amidst the advanced tech, you still get a taste of traditional African customs and attire presenting a fascinating dichotomy of ideals. Coogler, the art directors, and cinematographers should all take a bow here.
There was some amazing CGI involving virtual reality. The car chase through South Korea was beautiful with the inclusion of one vehicle that was completely virtually controlled. The same can be said of the air dogfight near the end of the film.
However, as good as those scenes were, the CGI was kind of comically bad at other junctures. The rhino stampede is something that should have been left on the cutting room floor. There was nothing that looked remotely natural about that herd. Also, the final fight between Black Panther and Killmonger was slightly weird at times. While BP has greater prowess than an ordinary human being, he shouldn't quite have the unnatural, inhuman movements of Spider-Man.
The casting included a who's who of both newer and established actors with the likes of Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Lupita Nyong'o, Daniel Kaluuya (of Get Out fame), Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Leticia Wright, and Michael B. Jordan lending their talents to a cast that already included the aforementioned Boseman and Serkis. All provide more than adequate performances with standouts for me being Gurira as fierce Wakandan general, Okoye, and Jordan as the primary antagonist, Killmonger. As you're watching this, you have the impression Okoye could take down anyone in this film by herself. She'll be a welcome addition to the cast in the upcoming Infinity War.
The pain and anger expressed by Jordan makes Killmonger one of the more intriguing and nuanced villains we've seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, I do have one issue. Once again in Killmonger we're presented with the same old stereotypical model of what some think a black person is. A common street thug. In a way, I guess Jordan's character is an uncommon thug given his military training. But, couldn't he have been a middle class or well-to-do angry sociopath? Does it always have to come down to being a downtrodden street tough?
Approaching this on a completely social level, I think Black Panther, like Wonder Woman a year ago, represents an important step in diversity in this particular cinematic genre. From early reports, it's been very well received and rightly so. It's a good movie. And, it's been far too long that some groups have been without an icon on the big screen they can point to. And, no. I haven't forgotten about Blade. But, that was a different era and didn't have nearly the hype train BP has.
All that said, I wasn't completely enamored with BP. Looking at it from an MCU angle, I did find it a little disappointing that it really didn't move toward the greater narrative of the upcoming Thanos saga we'll see in May. In fact, the only connection between BP and the Infinity War is the final credit scene involving...ah, ah, ah. That would be telling. In my mind, all roads should be leading to the Infinity War in some minor way. Doctor Strange was a perfect example of how this could be done. It very much told its own character story while introducing an element (the time stone) that will become extremely important in the future. We're still missing one Infinity Stone and there's plenty of current speculation that it might be in Wakanda. Maybe that will still prove to be true. If it is, it would have been nice to have some reference to that plot.
There has been a fair amount of critique recently of the MCU's use of levity in their style of moviemaking. To a degree, I understand the criticism. Until recently, I wasn't bothered by it. BP still has the trademark Marvel humor, but, it doesn't go over the top with it. The film is serious when it needs to be serious. Believe me, after Ragnarok, you don't know how much I appreciate that.
Black Panther is a good film, a very good one at certain moments. I wanted so much for it to be great, but, if I'm honest, I don't feel it to that extent. I got pretty much the same feeling after seeing Guardians of the Galaxy 2. It's an entertaining one-off type of movie for this character. But, it's a missed opportunity if you're looking for a bridge to the larger event coming in May. I liken BP to getting a hamburger when your taste buds are set for a steak dinner. Even if you get it made just the way you like it with all the fixings...it still ain't a steak.
The Dark Lord of the Sith says:
***3/4 stars
Ratings Legend*= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Worth a look. Better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. I'm doing my happy dance!
5 *= Pure eye candy. I have seen the top of the mountain, and it is good
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