BLACK PANTHER: 5 Things The First Reactions Tell Us About The Latest Marvel Studios Movie
Last night, the first reactions to Black Panther appeared on social media and we've now combed through those to bring you all the biggest reveals, including details on the movie's after-credits scenes.
As has become the norm, last night saw the release of the first reactions to Black Panther shortly after it premiered in Los Angeles. The movie is still weeks away from reaching theaters both internationally and domestically but Marvel is clearly confident in its chances of success and that's why we've already seen so many glowing reviews. So, what exactly do those tell us about the Marvel Studios movie?
Here, we take a look at the biggest reveals from those (all spoiler-free), including details on who steals the show, how many after-credits we should expect, and how it compares to other Marvel movies.
So, all you need to do is click on either one of the buttons below to check out this list in its entirety! Once you've done that, be sure to head to the comments section to then let us know your thoughts.
Michael B. Jordan's Erik Killmonger Isn't Your Typical Marvel Villain
Marvel villains are very hit and miss and while Phase 3 has done a good job of improving the MCU's bad guys, the likes of The Vulture and Ego the Living Planet are never going to be remembered as all-time greats. Black Panther's Erik Killmonger, on the other hand, sounds like a truly memorable big bad.
Critics praise his motivations in Black Panther, noting that his plan is one which audiences will be able to relate to and that there's an emotional depth to him which might even leave you wondering whether or not you should be on his side! It's also said that Jordan delivers a killer performance and with comparisons made to Tom Hiddleston's Loki, expect Killmonger to have a lasting impact on you.
There Are Two After-Credits Scenes
Black Panther is the final Marvel Studios movie set to hit theaters before Avengers: Infinity War so you'd best believe it goes some way in setting that movie up. Critics, however, are under a strict embargo so you can forget about plot details surfacing! On the plus side, they are able to address the number of after-credits scenes and we now know that this release boasts a total of two of them.
What those will be remains to be seen but if Black Panther follows the typical Marvel mould, we can probably expect some sort of hint about where the sequel will go and one tying directly into the events of Infinity War. It's also possible that the former will end up being played solely for laughs, though.
The Women Steal The Show
Black Panther's titular hero may be a man but it sounds like it's the women who steal the show in this movie. Letitia Wright's Shuri reportedly steals the show and many critics point to her becoming a fan-favourite character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe moving forward. The same is also said for Danai Gurira's Okoye, a badass who reportedly gets the lion's share of awesome action scenes here.
The tide is turning with superhero movies and audiences wanting to see women as more than just love interests and it appears as if Black Panther is a step in the right direction when it comes to its supporting cast. Chadwick Boseman isn't overshadowed, though, because he's reportedly amazing.
It Respects T'Challa's African Roots
A lot has been said about Black Panther serving as a hero and role model for children and adults who aren't often represented on screen in roles like this and it sounds like the movie definitely succeeds in that respect. It's been said that this is even more political than Captain America: The Winter Soldier, referencing colonisation and even making some thinly veiled digs at Donald Trump's administration.
Everyone seems to agree that T'Challa is going to be loved by everyone, while the action scenes, cinematography, and score are said to be among the best Marvel has delivered. It may also be worth noting that many black critics have said they relate to the movie and that's likely a very good sign.
The Movie Is F***ing Awesome
Every single Marvel Studios movie is hailed as the "best Marvel movie yet" after the first screenings take place and Black Panther is no exception. Where it will ultimately rank remains to be seen but the signs are all pointing to it being every bit as critically acclaimed as Thor: Ragnarok last November.
The first reviews aren't too far away now and providing word of mouth is as good as these reactions, it's going to be a box office smash. That's good news for fans of T'Challa and a very good indication that Ryan Coogler will be making a return to the franchise for a sequel in the not too distance future...