In accordance with FTC guidelines, this movie was sponsored in exchange for a review. This Black Panther review is the opinion of the author.

All Hail the King; Marvel’s “Black Panther” is Cinematic Royalty.

It should come as no surprise that everything Marvel produces is guaranteed to be a hit and their recent installment to their massive cinematic universe, Black Panther, is no exception.  Poised to be one of Marvel’s most successful movies to date, Black Panther is a thrilling tale of race, responsibility, and of course superheroes.

Coogler Blends Futuristic Technology Seamlessly with Nature and Culture

Taking place in the fictional nation of Wakanda, Director Ryan Coogler has managed to marry futuristic elements of the world’s most technologically advanced nation to the natural beauty of the surrounding land. The technology and visual effects are the stuff of Tony Stark’s dreams, accomplishing things we could only dream of having.

And yet with all of this advancement, Black Panther never loses touch with the traditions and culture of the people of Wakanda. From the dress, to their technology, to T’Challa’s coronation, pieces of Wakanda’s unique culture are never hard to find. With all of the science fiction like technology, having the constant presence of their culture help to keep the story grounded while adding to its massive importance of being the first African country to never have been colonized; leading to the creation of a culture that is free from the influences of Western civilization.

Emotional Performances Bring Depth and Realness to the Superhero Narrative

As stunning as the visual effects are, nothing compares to the acting this cast brings to the table. Chadwick Boseman is phenomenal as Wakanda’s king, T’Challa. Fans have only gotten a small taste of his character in Captain America: Civil War but he truly shines in his stand-alone film. Fresh from the death of his father, Boseman brings such a vulnerability to T’Challa as he struggles to accept his role as a leader and face his father’s past mistakes while still maintaining grace and the regal disposition of royalty.

Danai Gurira is fierce as Okoye, head of the King’s guard, the Dora Milaje. And Lupita Nyong’o takes no prisoners as the formidable spy Nakia. They are the very definition of Black Excellence. Stunningly beautiful and loyal to a fault, both Gurira and Nyong’o take command of every scene they are in, demanding your attention and creating strong role models for all.

The standout performance, for me, has to go to Letitia Wright’s character Shuri, sister to T’Challa and future Black Panther. She is absolutely outstanding. Smart, funny, and a threat in her own right, Wright’s performance is by far my favorite of the film. Her snappy wit and youthful enthusiasm bring levity to what could quickly become a very heavy and morose story.

And speaking of heavy and morose, Michael B. Jordan’s performance as Erik Killmonger is heartbreaking. He is able to somehow take a villainous character and make him so empathetic that you almost wish things could work out of him in the end, a first for many Marvel villains. His character is by far one of Marvel’s most political characters but he is also a timely one as well, dealing with the ramifications of institutionalized racism in America and the anger of those marginalized on a daily basis. Jordan’s performance is one for the history books.

Dealing with Responsibility to Others

With these stellar performances and cultural elements, Black Panther also touches on a very important lesson, the responsibility we have to help others. Wakandans pride themselves on their advanced achievements and their ability to remain hidden from the outside world. But the very presence of Killmonger and his mission reveal a massive flaw in their worldly deception – their lack of compassion and reluctance to help those in need.

It is a major turning point for T’Challa when he sees what Killmonger has gone through and how with Wakanda’s intervention it could have been derailed. This struggle that he faces teaches the audience that if you have the means to do something, you should do it and not simply stand by and watch. And in the end, it is a message of hope that if we come together and put aside our differences, we can accomplish great things.

Carving a New Space for Superhero Movies

Just as Thor: Ragnarok and Guardians of the Galaxy brought humor to the genre of superhero movies; Black Panther brings a new set of ideals to the table: political realness and the diverse human condition. Marvel fans will not be disappointed with the non-stop action and mind-blowing effects. It is a film for the ages; it is sure to make a lasting impact for all that go to see it.

Black Panther is Marvel’s new king.