SPOILERS: BLACK PANTHER - 7 Things That Worked And 3 Things That Didn't
Black Panther is finally in theaters, so we're now taking a spoilery look at what did and didn't work in the Marvel movie, delving into all the biggest and best moments and those which disappointed...
Black Panther is already exceeding expectations at the box office, and the response from fans and critics alike has been overwhelmingly positive. It's not hard to see why when the movie is in equal parts groundbreaking and an entertaining action-adventure which does the comic book character justice.
While it's easy to imagine the Marvel movie garnering serious awards attention next year, it's still not entirely perfect (but then again, can you think of a superhero movie which actually is?). That's why we're now delving into the things which did and did not work in Black Panther, covering all the biggest moments and those which may ultimately serve as something of a disappointment to fans like us!
To check out the entire list, all you need to do is click on either one of the buttons below. It goes without saying spoilers follow from here but if you're curious about what to expect, keep reading!
Didn't Work: So, That's It For Avengers: Infinity War Then?
There's absolutely nothing wrong with Black Panther being a standalone movie but the fact it does so little to help set the stage for Avengers: Infinity War will definitely be unforgivable to some.
There's no mention of the Soul Stone (you can assume that it's what powers Wakanda but it seems far more likely that's actually Vibranium related) and the after-credits scene featuring Bucky is decent but does nothing beyond confirming that he feels better now. There's not even a reference to an incoming threat of some sort and it's not a scene which is likely to leave moviegoers excited.
Did Work: Erik Killmonger's Plan
Marvel may have a reputation for producing great movies but it's also become known for delivering underwhelming villains! Do you remember Malekith's plan? No? How about Yellowjacket? Thankfully, Erik Killmonger escapes those trappings and emerges as a true great up there with Loki.
After being raised in poverty and watching on as black people have been discriminated against (which has been the case in his eyes since they were first brought from Africa to America as slaves), Killmonger wants to arm them and finally take the world back. It's an extreme plan but one which it's easy to relate to and it's fair to say that it's one which is particularly relevant all things considered.
Jordan's performance is fantastic (that's not a Fantastic Four related pun) and he steals the show.
Did Work: It's A Superhero Movie With Something To Say
There's nothing wrong with a superhero movie being fun but when they actually have something to say, that's definitely a bonus. Black Panther touches on a number of topics which will leave the viewer with plenty to think about, including colonialism, racism, and what it means to be black.
They're big issues but it never feels like the movie is trying to force a specific message on you; if you want to just have fun with an action-packed superhero movie, you can. However, you may also find that you walk away from the theater with something to think about and that's no bad thing.
Didn't Work: (Some Of) The Fight Scenes
Black Panther boasts a lot of awesome fight scenes but some are sadly far from perfect. While it's hard to fault the final battle between T'Challa and Killmonger or that chase sequence set in South Korea (as well as a number of other key moments), some of them rely a little too heavily on the tried and tested shake camera method which makes it hard to follow what's happening in places.
A relatively minor complaint as they go but this is actually pretty distracting, particularly during the movie's opening sequence when T'Challa takes on a group of mercenaries in an already dark setting.
Did Work: The Score
A movie's score is extremely important but it's also something which it's easy to miss as the work of a lot of composers fades into the background and makes no real difference to what's playing out on screen. That's not the case with Ludwig Göransson's work and his authentic sounding African beats ensure that Black Panther has a unique sound which enhances the story we're watching play out.
Did Work: The Entire Cast
I did think about mentioning specific cast members like Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Andy Serkis, and Letitia Wright but this feature would be thirty pages long if I were to do that! Instead, it makes much more sense to point out that the entire cast of Black Panther is superb and that there's genuinely not a weak link to be found. That's actually a rarity for any movie these days.
Everyone is bringing their A-Game here and that makes Marvel's latest release feel like not only one of the studio's best efforts yet but a truly incredible film definitely deserving of awards attention.
Did Work: It's Beautifully Shot
The Marvel Cinematic Universe movies have definitely varied in terms of quality when it comes to how they look (The Avengers came across like a very expensive TV show in places) but Black Panther is absolutely gorgeous. Kevin Feige has been quoted as saying the studio spent a lot of movie on this one and it's easy to see he's telling the truth because the sets and special effects are dazzling.
More crucially, the work of director Ryan Coogler and cinematographer Rachel Morrison is nothing short of extraordinary and this movie boasts visuals unlike any we've seen before in this comic book movie or any other for that matter. A personal favourite of mine is the scene featuring Killmonger walking to his throne as the camera turns upside down before righting itself when he sits down.
Didn't Work: A Slow Start
Black Panther is an amazing movie and it doesn't really feature a bad moment. However, that first act definitely drags a little and it wouldn't have hurt to get the story started a little sooner. It takes a tad too long for Erik Killmonger to show up and for his plan to become clear but when the Warrior Falls scenes are so good and so many characters are introduced, this really isn't that big of a deal.
Did Work: Wakanda Forever
The after-credits scene may be a tad underwhelming but I really enjoyed the mid-credits one. It feels a little like a scene from the movie itself which has been placed there but seeing T'Challa promise to bring Wakanda out of the shadows to help the world is immensely satisfying and a great way to tease the character's place in the MCU moving forward as he steps up to become a superhero.
It makes sense for Black Panther to take on a larger role in proceedings after Avengers 4 is released and it would be no bad thing seeing him lead Earth's Mightiest Heroes in the place of Iron Man.
Did Work: A Fitting Ending
Black Panther has a couple of endings and they're all equally excellent. Killmonger's final speech as he lays dying watching the Wakandan sunset is truly powerful, while T'Challa taking his words to heart and heading to America to use Wakanda's power to make the world a better place is truly inspirational. Seriously, it will make you wish that he was a real person and not a fictional character!
The movie's plot is strong from start to finish so it's great the Coogler ended things on a high note.