Wakanda Forever. The cry will resonate in movie history for years to come.
Black Panther is not only a film. It’s not only an action film. It’s not only a superhero film. It’s a movement. It’s a force. It’s a triumph.

We are told the history of Wakanda early in the film, and how the vibranium that oozes in their soil came to be. Vibranium is the strongest metal in the world and the great source behind the technologically advanced country of Africa. Its reveal would come with big risks, so the country and what it contains are invisible, unless you know where to enter. Wakanda is incredibly advanced and extremely futuristic to the point that it almost doesn’t suit to be paired with the modern timeline of the Marvel universe.
We begin in the ghettos of Oakland, California in 1992. We meet a couple of men planning their next heist. Little is told about them. They are interrupted by the unexpected visit by the king of Wakanda and the Black Panther, T’Chaka (John Kani). Quickly it is revealed that one of the men, N’Jobu (Sterling K. Brown) is originally from Wakanda, sent to California as a spy by the king who is his brother, to help take down an enemy of Wakanda, Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis). The kings visit soon turns into a confrontation with his brother because it has come to his attention that instead of helping his country, he too is stealing vibranium. Nevertheless, we are told that the other man standing quietly, whose identity is revealed later on in the film, was actually a spy tracing every step made by N’Jobu and exposing him for the traitor he is.

Fast forward to the Marvel universe’s actual timeline, T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns home to take over as the Black Panther and king of Wakanda after the unfortunate death of his father as we saw in Captain America: Civil War (2016).

Now, there are a few story lines to follow but my problem with it all, is that the one that should be focused on the most, comes to the surface forcefully and awkwardly, and all the smaller side stories were an obligation to create character building through the cracks of what is supposed to be the plot.
We begin the film believing that the entire tale is based around Klaue and his plans to steal the vibranium for his evil doings, which he is aware exists in Wakanda. T’Challa sets his mission to find him and either kill him where he stands, or bring him back to Wakanda for judgement. Failing the mission and coming home empty handed, his best friend and leader of one of the many Wakandan tribes, W’Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya) turns on him in disappointment and loses faith in him. The friendship between T’Challa and W’Kabi is not emphasised at all. We don’t exactly get a glimpses at how close they are, except for a small chat they have about T’Challa’s love interest and spy Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), which I feel was only slotted in by director, Ryan Coogler in an effort to explain that they are good friends. When W’Kabi does lose faith in him it doesn’t really sound like a big deal, so when he turns his back on the ‘Wakandan way’ later, it’s somewhat random.

To continue with my main point, Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) is a side kick of Klaue’s and is expecting a cut from stolen goods taken from a museum displaying African artifacts. Little does he realise that Killmonger is Wakandan and ready to serve his time on the throne, because earlier when we met the two men in Oakland, we find out who they truly are to these main characters and all hell breaks loose. You following me? I don’t want to give too much away so bear with me. Killmonger kills Klaue and takes him to Wakanda expecting praise and for his throne to be handed to him after he tells them who his father was.

Killmonger’s point of view is simple. Wakanda sits on the strongest metal in the world. It’s a rich country. Yet, why don’t they fight in wars for peace with all their advanced technology and power? Where were they when their people were forced in chains and fighting for their rights? Fair point, right? But it’s not that simple and exposing what they own could mean a terrible outcome for Wakanda. Therefore, T’Challa has a new enemy in his cousin, and has to fight to keep his country together and under his rightful rule. Killmonger is not a stable leader, making dangerous choices and potentially destroying the peace that resonates with his ancestor’s home.

We quickly forget that Klaue was even a threat. He is supposed to be one of the Black Panther’s biggest enemies, so something tells me he is still around. However, while watching the film, are we really to believe that the threat of Klaue will just end abruptly? We are led to believe that Klaue’s threat is the plot of the story, where in fact, Killmonger’s take over and revealing is the main story line we are supposed to be on par with.

Now, in saying all this, and I know I’ve said a lot, it does not take away from what an extraordinary film this truly is. From costume, to fighting choreography and from writing to exceptional special effect timings, this movie should be praised and enjoyed. No other Marvel movie has as much heart as this and that’s a big say. And there’s no chance I won’t mention what an incredible triumph this is for the African and African American community. Just check all the black celebrity Instagram’s, and see how thankful they are for this film. It’s such a special thing to witness and such a special time to be alive.

Massive prompts above all goes to the cast who have been able to sustain strong and memorable roles. But I cannot look beyond the incredible women of this film. I’d love to shake Koogler’s hand, because among some sketchy choices, I don’t believe I have seen such a focus brought upon women, and black women for that matter, in film. Okoye (Danai Gurira), the general of the Dora Milaje and head of the all-female army, is the strongest woman in film at the moment for me. Not even Wonder Woman is this inspirational, and Wonder Woman is a goddess. But my absolute favourite is T’Challa’s baby sister, and the wittier and more intelligent version of Tony Stark, Shuri (Letitia Wright). From her banter to the technology she is able to develop, even the great man himself would be envious. I have a feeling we will be seeing him pick her brain in the future. Overall, I am overwhelmed by the level of focus put on women in this film as warriors, and intelligent people.

I have to shout out Kendrick Lamar on the soundtrack, too. The film doesn’t have many songs from the album in it as the tracks are only inspired by the film, but the soundtrack itself is powerful and meaningful, and the messages within should not be ignored. With Lamar’s hands all over it, you cannot expect anything less than a masterpiece.

Black Panther is a must see. Waiting for DVD and watching it on a small screen doesn’t do it justice. It needs to be experienced in the widest and biggest magnitude. It’s more than just a superhero movie. It isn’t just another one to add to the list. It’s so much more. As a Marvel fan, I would give it 4 and a half out of 5 for the pure fact that I know what this film was meant to centre, but hearing from audiences that don’t follow it tightly that the abrupt plot change is a misstep decision, is not very easy to ignore. I also can’t be bias as much I really want to. So, Black Panther gets 3 and a half out of 5.