Monday 19 February 2018

Black Panther (12A)

There are some delightful reports online about cinemas banning this film and people ganging up to vote it down on movie websites.

Now, these stories could be true and they could be bunkum. But if people aren't doing these things someone feels the need to claim they are.

Which must mean Black Panther is on to something.



Now it could be that the film is utter garbage and people are angry that Marvel has managed to balls one up.

Or it could be that someone somewhere isn't happy that a film with a certain cultural heritage is getting a lot of praise and attention.

And, certainly on first viewing, it's not the former.

Also, I don't think true Marvel fans are upset. After all, Black Panther has been in the Marvel Universe since the 1960s.

Now, it's not unknown for fanboys to lose their collective shits over inconsequential matters - one fondly recalls the ethnic origins of Stormtroopers causing some fervent and ignorant discussions a few years ago.

But generally, true Marvel fans tend not to get too upset about stuff.

Granted, Black Panther is a departure for the comic book giants and is worthy of much discussion - but not for the reasons basement-dwelling internet warriors would have us believe.

It's because it actually has something to say. Actually, a lot to say.

And that's possibly a first for a Marvel movie.

First, for the uninitiated, a quick recap.

Black Panther is the story of T'Challa (played brilliantly by Chadwick Boseman), the King of Wakanda who doubles as the titular hero.

You may recall we met Black Panther in Age of Ultron - where we also met Andy Serkis' Ulysses Klaue, the arms-dealing, vibranium-stealing overly-hyphenated low-life.

Up to speed? Good.

Where were we?

Oh yes, Wakanda.

The land of Black Panther is pretty much key to the whole story, as the nation hid itself away while the rest of Africa was busy being invaded, colonised and asset-stripped in the name of progress.

And it's this point that underpins the film's message.

If you want, Black Panther is a film about a black guy in a black suit beating people up as-per Marvel norms.

However, it's actually a story about Africa, Africans and the way the world has treated a continent and its people.

And continues to.

Not that Black Panther comes at you waving a civil rights flag and screaming for vengeance. Far from it.

Instead, the themes and messages are interwoven into the story, there to be found if you happen upon them.

Some, hopefully, you won't miss (in particular the line about slaves throwing themselves off ships), but what Black Panther is trying to do more than anything is tell a good story well.

And that it does in fine style.

Boseman owns the screen in a wonderfully understated way, but not at the expense of his superb co-stars.

Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker and Michael B. Jordan combine wonderfully to make this film a powerful ensemble piece.

In danger of repeating themselves, Marvel has been pushing the comedy envelope more and more - look at Deadpool, Ant Man, Thor 3, Guardians etc.

With Black Panther, however, they've added a social conscious to the mix.

This film should speak to everyone on the issues of colonialism, social inclusion, the similarities (rather than differences) between cultures, but should also introduce you to a world you might previously have been unaware of.

Importantly, however, it should make you laugh.

And have fun.

Because - and some film makers should write this down - it's possible to do both.

There are great car chases, fights, explosions, flying ships, Martin Freeman doing a woeful accent, Stan Lee's traditional cameo - basically all the usual bits and bobs.

But we now have a new wonderful world to explore, we have new characters to love (and you can't help but love them) and we have bigger, better, bolder stories to tell.



The question has been asked why Marvel didn't do this film sooner, which while valid seems - to us at least - to dilute the fact they have made it now.

Ol' Panthie could have been left as a fringe character, only appearing in the big team games but never allowed out on his own.

Instead, Marvel have taken the step while at the top of their game to push further - and in doing so have produced the most important film they're ever likely to make.

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