Review of Black Panther (2018) by Jay D — 25 Apr 2018

[SPOILER FREE REVIEW].

The Marvel Comic Universe (MCU) wins again!!

Here is the 'secret Sauc' to Marvel Comics; their ability to tell stories that people care about. Marvel Comics has a library of over 5,000 characters, of which the top 10 would be considered 'A-List' - an yet, only Marvel can turn a story about a talking raccoon, a tree, and green assassin chick into household names (Guardians)!

And once again, Marvel shows the world why they RULE the box office by giving us another blockbuster starring arguably a C-level character.

Black Panther is phenomenal on every level of movie-making. in fact, after reviewing all my notes I scribbled during the movie I will safely say this: Black Panther changes Everything.

The story of a young prince assuming the mantle of the throne is age-old after the death of his father is something we're familiar with (Lion King). And yet, that is only scratching the surface, setting up something we've never seen before.

We - the world at large and the movie industry - have never seen the Black Experience told so warmly, so humanely familiar, and so breath-taking and awe-inspiring, as we have here.

Black Panther does much more than entertain. It enlightens. It shows a world of possibilities when civilization is free to grow unfettered by colonialism and slavery. True, it is obviously a work of fiction, and yes it was all predicated on the most miraculous of miracles. And yet..... you can't help but wonder 'What If...?".

What if People were free to live their lives to the fullest potential?

What if cultures remained largely intact, devoid of outside invasion?

What if the world simply accepted everyone for what they Are and what they bring to the World?

It's too easy to invoke racism. Nooooo, this goes well beyond that. That is a lazy argument. Black Panther touches on deeper, layered concepts of humanity; of education. Of tradition. Of strength. Of identity. Of knowing your roots. Of Family and spirituality.

This isn't the Old vs the New. This is All things transitioning and evolving in harmony. Together.

Humanity at its apex. Spirituality living with practicality. Mythology and Beliefs working side by side with Technology.

Black Panther is an amazing comic book movie and a bad-azz superhero action movie. It ties into EVERYTHING the MCU was, is, and is about to become.

And yet, calling it that feels like I am selling it short.

Black Panther the movie, represents Possibility.

It is what the world Could be. And maaaan, what a world Wakanda is! :).