Writer: Dini Azri

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Watch this if you liked: “Captain America: Civil War” or the “Thor” trilogy

The Good, The Bad, and the Wakanda Forever! :

Marvel, the juggernaut of a production company, has created something special in the form of its shared universe: Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) starting from Jon Favreau's 2008 hit "Iron Man".

Ten years and 18 films later comes "Black Panther", one of the MCU's Phase Three films before the highly anticipated "Avengers: Infinity War".

With Ryan Coogler on board directing Marvel's first black superhero with predominantly black actors and actresses, the audience is sure to experience something truly unique.

"Black Panther" takes place directly after the events of "Captain America: Civil War" where we saw T'Challa, played brilliantly by Chadwick Boseman, witnessing his father's death in the hands of a common enemy thus inheriting the mantle as the Black Panther. The Black Panther is a ceremonial title that grants the rightful heir mystical powers such as superhuman senses, enhanced strength, agility, and more. T'Challa is brought back to his home, Wakanda, a technologically advanced nation that is isolated from others, to perform the Black Panther ritual where he is to be king and sworn to protect his nation from any possible threat even if it comes from somebody who was part of his family's past.

With all these superhero films popping out every year, Marvel has to think of new ways to keep the genre interesting and relevant for them to be always on top of the market. This is apparent in the cast of "Black Panther" where it has some of the top black actors and actresses working in Hollywood today.

Chadwick Boseman, Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong'o, recent Academy Award nominee Daniel Kaluuya, Danai Gurira, and Letitia Wright are some of the actors and actresses who each delivered a stellar performance.

Not forgetting frequent Ryan Coogler collaborator, Michael B. Jordan as the unforgiving Killmonger who completely stole the show in every scene he is in.

Wakanda is brought to life with excellent visual effects to help enhance its environment from Shuri's high-tech laboratory equipment, all the way to its streets that is filled with breathtaking technological advancements. Details of Wakanda's all-female military force known as Dora Milaje also stands out with their tough persona and uniformed bald haircut.

What sets "Black Panther" apart from the rest of the Marvel films or the superhero genre in general is the inclusion of African culture. Sure, one might argue that Wakanda is a fictional country, but elements of African culture is present in the way the buildings look, how the citizens' dress, the rituals they have - it all serves as a look into the rich culture that not many people know of. Even in its simplest form, like the language and accents that the characters have is just fascinating to listen to.

As a comic book / superhero film, "Black Panther" is functional on its own genre. There were not many flaws to complain about that would distort the film. However, as a film in general, "Black Panther" is a step forward towards diversity with the inclusion of multiple black performers leading the film this time instead of being the usual sidekick. While there are some films with black people as its lead, "Black Panther" is a good example for mainstream audiences to accept and hopefully pioneers more diversity in Hollywood films.

Trivia:

• "Black Panther" was already planned way before MCU even existed with Wesley Snipes attached to produce it in 1992.

Cinema Online, 08 February 2018