Black Panther Review (Spoilers)

Black Panther just released in theaters, and I consider it a cultural touchstone, a momentous occasion, in the world of comics and comics movie fandom. I don't think I'm the only one, as Black Panther set records in pre-sales. This was a major first, a high profile, heavily promoted, major Hollywood blockbuster with a primarily black cast. A hat tip of course goes to Wesley Snipes and Blade, but that movie didn't open to this level of attention, and fan hype, nor did it have the budget or support of a major studio like Disney. Blade is the forefather, but Black Panther is the (hopeful) dawn of a new age.

SPOILERS: I will be discussing plot point details of the movie beyond this point. If you are not interested in seeing spoilers, please return after watching the movie.

Following the events of 2015's Civil War, T'Challa returns home to ascend to the throne as king. T'Challa finds himself unsure of his fitness to be king, and surrounds himself with trusted advisors like his general Okoye and Zuri (the beautiful and amazing Danai Gurira and Forrest Whittaker, respectively), his mother Ramonda (Angela Bassett) and sister Shuri (Letita Wright, who steals the show quite a bit), and also his ex-girlfriend, Nakia (Lupita N'yongo). It's Nakia who arguably makes the biggest impression on T'Challa and us as the moviegoer. A War Dog (Wakandans sent out to the world to spy on other nations), Nakia has turned her job into fighting for the oppressed and abused: we meet her undercover to stop a human trafficking ring, and there's an implication she may have put down some ivory traders.

Nakia, of all the characters, serves as the balancing fulcrum to the villain Erik Stevens aka Killmonger (the excellent Michael B. Jordan). Where Nakia wants to use her resources and skills to help oppressed peoples outside of Wakanda, Killmonger, a son of both Wakanda and America, wants to use Wakandan advancement and might to fight back against the established power. T'Challa, himself already conflicted with the role he has to play as king, has to simultaneously deal with facing the tradition of isolationism, and opening itself to the outside world. It's the brutal reality and truth of the struggle between the ideologies of Nakia and Killmonger that I find the most compelling.

In Marvel Cinematic Universe history, Wakanda remained isolationist, and due to the properties of vibranium, is even more advanced than any nation by a significant portion. I'd argue that Tony Stark may be able to create technology on a similar level, but he doesn't have access to vibranium. Wakanda has also pretty much removed itself from the world, keeping minimal contact. Nakia and Killmonger both argue the morality of isolationism in the face of world crisis, and given the real world circumstances of Africans and Black people in America, there's a sting to their arguments. While Wakanda prospers, their brothers and sisters suffer, and that bit of hypocrisy on the behalf of Wakanda weighs on T’Challa’s mind. Isolationism is actually a very human response, and can be seen in numerous examples throughout history: in Imperial China in the 1800's, before the West carved it up, and even here in America, where its people insisted on not getting involved in World War II and then Pearl Harbor happened. For Wakanda, it's a prodigal source that ends the isolation of Wakanda: Killmonger.

Killmonger represents the truth Wakanda doesn't want to face: there are consequences to face for their actions. The son of T'Chaka's brother, Killmonger also grew up in the streets of Oakland and has seen the struggle of black men in the greater world. His father, N'Jobu, was moved to action and that cost him his life. The son, has carried on his father's cause, and wants revenge for his father and retribution against the colonial oppressor. On face level, that may sound villainous to some, but his goal is actually idealistic: a world where his people aren't considered less than equal. Sure, he would become a conqueror and repeat the sins of the oppressor, but that's what happens with oppression. The outrage, and the anger, that so frightens those in power, that threatens to destroy the status quo... change is scary, especially for those who benefit from the current system.

And these are the titanic forces of culture and history that our hero, T'challa, shoulders. Truly, a king's burden. The need to fulfill the obligations of his people, balancing the conservative, isolationist philosophy that kings past have enforced against the moral obligation to help the world. All while opposing the enemy who is also blood, who also wants to help the world... by conquering it. There's a lot of depth to both protagonist and antagonist.

Ultimately, in somewhat typical fashion, the hero defeats the villain, as is necessary for a superhero film, and the villain dies, but his words aren't forgotten and they're poignant. The decision T'Challa makes, to open up Wakanda to the world, to provide aid to the needy and downtrodden, and to share resources, is important. Having the power to change the world and doing something with it are two very different things.

This movie delivers entertainment and a lot of thought provoking moments. Outside of a superhero movie, it's an interesting look at geopolitics, anthropological speculation and a bit of cold hard reality about the status of the black man in the world.

The movie is also groundbreaking in that we finally get nearly a full cast of African American characters in a major superhero blockbuster; there are children out there identifying themselves in T'Challa, and in the Dora Milaje, and that level of connection to a character is special. As a Chinese-American, I've yearned for that kind of representation myself, I empathize with the people out there who are enjoying the movie on that deeper level.

The movie is definitely one of my favorite superhero movies of the last decade of Marvel's Cinematic universe. Truly, a groundbreaking movie, and I hope a sign of more diversity to come.

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