When it comes to the fan boy there are about three dates a year that they have circled on their calendar. You would think those days would include a birthday or maybe even Christmas, but instead they would be the release dates of that years Marvel titles. Let face it, it’s not just the fan boys now, we all pretty much set our movie clocks to whatever Marvel is doing next. This routine is well deserved because when was the last time Marvel delivered something bad? Lucky for us the answer is pretty much never and with “Black Panther” that streak continues.
Picking up after “Captain America: Civil War”, T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) has come back to Wakanda to take his place on the throne after the death of his father. Through custom, T’Challa must meet any challengers who want the throne for their own, something he does and succeeds in doing and becoming the rightful King. It is after all that when T’Challa becomes the Black Panther and the protector of Wakanda. When an old foe resurfaces named Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkin) the new King vows to bring him back to Wakanda where he will face justice for the crimes he has committed against its people. Things however get complicated when Klaue is freed by a man named Erik Killomnger (Michael B. Jordan) who wears a ring that is all too familiar to T’Challa. Little does he know that this man holds a secret that will change everything T’Challa knows and challenges him to become the King and he is supposed to be.
There is no way to get around this, so I am going to go ahead and put it on front street, “Black Panther” is good. I could have written a few words to build it up, but I thought why, when I can just tell you right away. Everything starts with who you hand the keys to the car to and with the choice of Ryan Coogler they couldn’t have made a better choice. Keeping with their mining of rising talent, Coogler comes in and not only makes himself at home but makes the place all his. Coogler delivers a beautiful film as he brings the world of Wakanda to life not just in sight but its soul as well.
With all of that in place it is Boseman who ends up being the heart of the film as he carries himself like a young Denzel as he commands every eye and ear when he is on screen. This is also one of, if not, the best acted Marvel movie so far. It is because of all the above mentions that make Marvel films work so well. Unlike D.C., Marvel lets the storytellers and stars make these stories their own while sticking to the framework that has already been set. It is because of that method that makes these films seem like they are getting better with every release. “Black Panther” is everything you want it to be and more. And it brings from deep within you to say nothing but: Long live the King! And long live Black Panther!