Feb 17, 2019
Hi everyone!
Well, it’s the last week before the Oscars 2019, now hostless and featuring fewer televised awards. I’m not sure what’s going on with the Academy, but no one on #FilmTwitter seems to be happy, I can tell you that much. Regardless of that, however, we’re going to finish out our Oscars 2019 coverage this week with four more films, including today’s review from the archives. We’ll also have two Netflix Original films, and your weekly dose of Fantastic Fest from Andrew on Friday.
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In the meantime, I went back into the archives for my review of “Black Panther” (2018), possibly the best Marvel Cinematic Universe movie ever made, and on an epic scale. I don’t think I would be wrong to say that it overshadowed even “Avengers: Infinity War” (Episode #120), and it has picked up an impressive three Golden Globe and seven Oscar nominations. But will they take home any awards after being shutout at the Golden Globes? We’ll find out next week! In the meantime, you can catch “Black Panther” on Netflix, or by renting/purchasing at major digital outlets. It sits at 97% Certified Fresh at Rotten Tomatoes and 88 Must See at Metacritic. And, of course, I loved it.
Before the review, however, we have a brand new promo from our friends at the Bicurean podcast, an insightful talk and interview show that looks for the common ground in an increasingly polarized world. Check out their promo, then check out their show at bicurean.com. That’s B-I-C-U-R-E-A-N.
Here we go!
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It’s Marvel Monday and we’re back on the Road to Infinity War. Instead of continuing our chronological journey, we’re going to fast forward a bit. Actually, we’re going to take a quantum leap into the future with “Black Panther” (2018), directed by Ryan Coogler and written in collaboration with Joe Robert Cole.
The film expands on the story of T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), picking up after “Captain America: Civil War” (2016), returning to Wakanda to ascend as King according to their traditions. Meanwhile, Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) is working with Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) to obtain vibranium, the rarest element on the planet, found only in Wakanda, but also to fulfill his destiny. The two stories soon blend into one, with surprising twists and epic battles against gorgeous scenery.
The cast is insanely great. I really enjoyed how Boseman and Jordan brought the personal and political struggle between T’Challa and Killmonger to life. The supporting cast is vast and incredibly talented, including Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, T’Challa’s ex; Danai Gurira as Okoye, leader of the royal guard; Daniel Kaluuya as W’Kabi, a key tribal leader; Letitia Wright as Shuri, T’Challa’s sister; and awesome roles for Angela Bassett as Ramonda, T’Challa’s mother and Forest Whitaker as Zuri, the spiritual leader of Wakanda. The only performance that seemed lacking was Martin Freeman playing CIA officer Everett K. Ross, although he was more comic relief than essential character.
“Black Panther” is spectacularly developed. The color palette is bold, utilized not just by the backgrounds, but also in the costumes based on traditional and modern African fashions. The action scenes are absolutely bananas, both the fight scene/car chase in South Korea, and the final epic battle in Wakanda. I really wished I had seen the film in high definition, just to see the colors pop even more. And similar to both “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “Black Panther” gets the right mix of score and soundtrack throughout the film, with original songs developed by Kendrick Lamar.
I’ve got nothing but love for this film, although with the incredible amount of hype that preceded its release, I felt disappointed at the end. I wanted so much more of Wakanda because it is so well rendered, and there’s still a lack of superheroes of color (and women) within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, with “Black Panther” (2018) dramatically expanding the social and political structure of Earth, there are more opportunities than ever to fill those voids.