Black Panther

Black Panther is the latest entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, directed by Ryan Coogler and stars Chadwick Boseman, Forest Whittaker, Andy Serkis and Michael B.Jordan amongst a whole host of other well known names. It directly follows the events of Civil War and sees T’Challa return to Wakanda to be crowned king where he is challenged by Eric Killmonger and the hardships of being King.
Straight off the bat I have to say nowadays Marvel movies have to do a lot to impress me. Not to say they aren’t still great films, the MCU formula has become so consistent that I no longer feel like I’m watching a movie (a once in a while, flash in the pan type thing) but that I’m going to see the next episode in a really good TV show I like. For me, superhero fatigue has set in. Which is why my favourite superhero movie of last year was Justice League. It was by no means the best but I personally enjoyed that the most because it was different from the formula that not only the MCU is guilty of but other studios too (eg 21st Century Fox). Things are starting to get a tad stale for me which is why I have no expectations or hopes for Avengers Infinity War. However for a lot of the second half of this movie, Black Panther does a lot that’s off the beaten formula.
Black Panther is different from other MCU movies in that the actions and motivations of the characters, and particularly the antagonist, drives the plot forward. It’s refreshing for me to have a conflict that’s well formed and crafted in a marvel movie, with motivations that are very much understandable and it’s easy to side with the main villain of Eric Killmonger.  Speaking of which Eric Killmonger is fantastic. Michael B.Jordan gives a charismatic and fully fleshed out performance in this role and for me is probably the best villain of the MCU to date (sorry Loki fans).

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