ButteredPopcorn
  • Home
  • Latest
  • Reviews
    • Movie Reviews >
      • 2023 Movie Reviews
      • 2022 Movie Reviews
      • 2021 Movie Reviews
      • 2020 Movie Reviews
      • 2019 Movie Reviews
      • 2018 Movie Reviews
      • 2017 Movie Reviews
      • 2016 Movie Reviews
      • 2015 Movie Reviews
      • 2014 Movie Reviews
      • 2012 Movie Reviews
      • 2011 Movie Reviews
      • 2010 Movie Reviews
      • Other Movie Reviews
    • TV Reviews
  • Series
    • Buttered Popcorn Movie Month >
      • BPMM 2023: Disney
      • BPMM 2022 - Christmas
      • BPMM 2021 - International Cinema
      • BPMM 2020 - James Bond
    • Animation April >
      • Animation April 2020
    • September Classics >
      • September Classics 2022
      • September Classics 2020
      • September Classics 2019
  • Patreon
  • Other

black panther
​ movie review by carson timar
​(best of the decade)

​

Black Panther (2018)

      Where the Marvel Cinematic Universe has reached incredible highs including taking the title of highest-grossing film of all time with 2019's Avengers: Endgame, 1 year earlier the series saw the release of Ryan Coogler's Black Panther which not only reached box office milestones but also managed to score the first-ever Best Picture Nomination for a Comic Book Film and win for the MCU. Following the newly crowned Wakandan King T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) as a mysterious outcast going by the name Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) comes for the throne, Black Panther captured the hearts of many with its depth and world that still stands out as some of the deepest content found in any MCU film to date.
Picture
If there was one thing about Black Panther to truly stand out in the context of not just the MCU but the Comic Book genre in general is the world it takes place in. Where there are multiple worlds and societies to be explored in the MCU up to this point, none have the same depth as Wakanda. With an inspired blend of fiction and traditional African cultures, there is a real identity present in the world of Wakanda that feels real and thought out. Not only is it felt in the power dynamics of the society and spiritual beliefs circling around the Black Panther power but in the more grounded elements of the production. Production elements like the production design and costume design stand out as beautiful and meaningful that serves a purpose and clearly has an incredible level of craft behind it.

This identity and craft can also be clearly felt in the screenplay by Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole. So many comic book movies feel empty when it comes its conflict and villains feeling more like a mandatory story beat leading to a third act action scene rather than one that narrativity fits. Killmonger stands out as one of the best comic book villains because of what he means narratively to the film. Wakanda is a country that despite having extreme advancements in technology and structure has failed to share its gifts with the outside world despite black populations on a global scale being the victim of systematic racism and mass violence. The conversation that results from this dynamic, despite having a fictional catalyst, carries a real weight and relevance to it. This is not simply a conflict between good and evil, it is a conflict of ideals and fear that pushes not just the minds of the characters but of the audience.


Picture
If there was one element of Black Panther to really let down it would be the action. Where the issue is much more minor on the small screen than the big screen of a theater, the visual effects throughout the film are just not good. There are multiple effects that just look cheap which is surprising considering the film is an MCU film which is a franchise that rarely suffers from these issues. The structure of the film also definitely hurts the 2nd act and overall pacing of the project. The film tries to do a fake-out early on in the film that fails to even be considered as what is really happening and instead gives the third act a sense of inevitability. From Point A, it is clear where Point C is going to end up and the actual journey from beginning to end can feel a bit drawn out and uninspiring because of that. 

Still though, even outside the context of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Black Panther stands out as something special. This is a film of dedication, of heart, of emotion. Ryan Coogler take the chance to make a film for this franchise and used that platform to say something important and of value. There is a life to Black Panther rarely seen in films in general, and one that helps the film stand out despite the flaws in the structure and visual effects.

Overall Grade-A-

Follow @bp_moviereviews
Tweet

Reviews

2022 Movies
TV Shows

Series

BP Movie Month
​Animation April
September Classics

awards season

Oscar Predictions
Golden Globe Predictions

  • Home
  • Latest
  • Reviews
    • Movie Reviews >
      • 2023 Movie Reviews
      • 2022 Movie Reviews
      • 2021 Movie Reviews
      • 2020 Movie Reviews
      • 2019 Movie Reviews
      • 2018 Movie Reviews
      • 2017 Movie Reviews
      • 2016 Movie Reviews
      • 2015 Movie Reviews
      • 2014 Movie Reviews
      • 2012 Movie Reviews
      • 2011 Movie Reviews
      • 2010 Movie Reviews
      • Other Movie Reviews
    • TV Reviews
  • Series
    • Buttered Popcorn Movie Month >
      • BPMM 2023: Disney
      • BPMM 2022 - Christmas
      • BPMM 2021 - International Cinema
      • BPMM 2020 - James Bond
    • Animation April >
      • Animation April 2020
    • September Classics >
      • September Classics 2022
      • September Classics 2020
      • September Classics 2019
  • Patreon
  • Other