Black Panther (2018)

Directed by Ryan Coogler 

Written by Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole

Based on the Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby 

Starring Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira and Michael B. Jordan

"Wakanda Forever"

The tag line of the movie, the fictional African nation, and 2018? This movie was easily one of the best films of 2018 and of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fans of Marvel movies and movies alike can all join hands in praise for this wonderful adaptation by Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole. 

After the events following the tragic death of his father King T'Chaka, T'Challa (Michael B. Jordan) returns home to the isolated but highly technologically advanced country of Wakanda, where he is to be crowned King. Taking throne may not be as simple of a task as anticipated, with factions within Wakanda threatening to fight the King for his spot. Black Panther must team up with members of the Wakandan special force called the Dora Milaje and C.I.A. agent Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman) to prevent disastrous annihilation to Wakanda. 

The fictional African metropolis of Wakanda may be one of the most fascinating aspects of this movie, being disguised as a deprived third-world country that does not accept any sort of aid-- once you fly past a hidden barrier made of vibranium (the country's gold mine) you discover it is far more advanced than any other country in the world. While the plot of this movie is very interesting to follow, and the set design of the fictional country is amazing, the characters are by far the best part of the whole cinematic experience. Chadwick Boseman as King T'Challa/Black Panther is a very likable lead character. He has such conviction and pride for his country and will stop at nothing to protect it. Behind every successful man however is a team of badass women. T'Challa's younger sister, Shuri is played by a new-comer Letitia Wright and she plays the gadget girl, who is also this witty super genius. Okoye (Danai Gurira) is one of the members of the Dora Milaje, and has a blind devotion to the King and Wakanda that is admirable. I've barely scratched the surface with these character, as there is a slew of other a-listers and new-comers that make this movie what it is. We have Angela Bassett as the Queen of Wakanda, Lupita Nyong'o as Nakia-- T'Challa's love interest, Forest Whitaker as a village elder of sorts, Daniel Kaluuya from Get Out finds his way in there too. 

When talking about the cast though, we cannot leave out the fantastic Michael B. Jordan, who plays one of our villains, Killmonger. They really dive into the origins of Killmonger which actually makes you feel some remorse for him as the villain trying to take over Wakanda. Jordan gives us a really strong performance in this role, and makes for one of Marvel's best bad guys. 

Black Panther received a very deserving 7 Oscar nominations and 3 wins including a nomination for Best Picture-- making it the first super-hero movie to be nominated for Best Picture. Two of the wins at the ceremony came for its production design and costume design, in which the women who who 

won made history for being the first winners of color for these categories. This factoid just adds to the pile of what makes this movie so great. The amazing characters, the action, the music and the diversity. 

8/10