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Strong back-up for busy hero
Black Panther (12A)
I went into the 18th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) pretty blind as, beyond the character’s introduction in Captain America: Civil War, I knew nothing about Black Panther.
But after watching his first infectiously entertaining solo movie outing, I’m keen to learn more about the African superhero.
Marvel’s first masterstroke when bringing the King of Wakanda to the big screen was hiring director Ryan Coogler, who proved he could deliver heart-filled action and drama with the outstanding Creed.
Coogler and first-time major feature writer Joe Robert Cole collaborated on the script and right from an exceptional opening that sees an animated prologue explaining Wakanda’s history transition to a key scene in a small flat in 1992 Oakland, California, it quickly becomes clear Black Panther is its own beast.
Much like Wonder Woman’s home Themyscira, Wakanda is a hidden land strewn with vibrant colours, including dazzling fluorescents and lush waterfalls.
Chadwick Boseman builds on his encouraging Civil War appearance with the requisite mix of gravitas, courage and charm the lead role requires; whether bare-knuckle brawling to fight to claim his throne or dressing to the nines on an undercover mission, this is a captivating hero worthy of our backing.
Another reason Black Panther works so well, though, is it feels like the heroics are shared around – and the ladies get their time to shine.
Marvel has been criticised for its lack of strong female roles, but thanks to Coogler and Cole, the studio make massive positive strides here with Danai Gurira’s bad-a** warrior Okoye, Lupita Nyong’o’s brave, more than just a love interest Nakia and Letitia Wright’s cheeky and playful, Q-like gadget queen Shuri.
Black Panther also furnishes us with some of the finest, most interesting, MCU villainy. Shooting people in the back one minute and belting out Haddaway’s 1993 hit song What Is Love the next, Andy Serkis (Ulysses Klaue) is a riot.
However, Michael B. Jordan (Killmonger) – re-teaming with Coogler for a third time – makes for one of the most fascinating, multilayered antagonists you’ll ever see in a comic book flick; oozing coolness, the Californian couldn’t be further away from his Fantastic Four flop.
Whether being challenged for his throne or jetting off to Busan for a standout, Bondinspired, casino showdowninto-car chase sequence that sees Coogler’s camera leap around with hyperspeed grace as it switches between characters, Boseman isn’t given a moment’s peace.
At one point our troubled hero is told: “It’s hard for a good man to be king.”
Thankfully Boseman’s Panther isn’t a good man – he’s a great man, who is blessed with a masterfully made movie.