The first black-led Superhero film in the MCU? Fine, I can give you that one, first black lead Superhero in the MCU? That belongs to Luke Cage. First black led superhero film made by Marvel? Blade holds that title. Sorry for that General media outlets and people who simplify media stories. You might want to do some more fact checking first. On a completely unrelated note (honest), "Oh goodie, another film that got a lot of political attention and therefore became a politically charged topic to the point where it feels like I'm going to be put to a firing squad no matter what I say!" How many of these things am I going to get away with? On the plus side, this is one of the safer ones compared to Last Jedi and Ghostbusters 2016. So, let's close off MAYvel for 2018 with the newest Marvel movie to get on DVD, so new in fact that it only came out here last week, throwing off my schedule for June! Ok fine it was one of the reasons for the shakeup...
Starting with the story, set roughly a week after the events of Civil War, T'Challa is returning to Wakanda to be crowned king, due to his father's death in the aforementioned Civil War. After learning of a Vibranium theft lead by Ulysses Klaue (remember that guy in the boat in Age of Ultron?), T'Challa, Nakila (a Wakandan spy) and Okoye (head of the Dora Milaje) attempt to bring Klaue in for the crimes he committed on Wakandan soil during the former king's reign. You'd think that Klaue would be the main villain of the film (being one of the most well known Black Panther villains, along with the fact that he's one of only a few Marvel films to survive the first movie he was in) right? Nope. He is killed later by the real villain of the film, Erik Stevens, better known as Killmonger. After killing Klaue, Killmonger travels to Wakanda, uses his right to challenge T'Challa to the throne due to him being T'Challa's cousin, driven on this path after the former King T'Chaka killed his brother (Killmonger's father) and left Killmonger to fend for himself "for the sake of Wakanda". This was in 90's America... you can imagine how well that worked out for them, can't you? Suffice to say, Killmonger takes the throne and sets forth a plan to move Wakandan weapons all around the globe to give to Black cultures, so that they can kill colonialist civilizations. Or to make it simpler, start a war between Black and White people. Seeing the dangers of both extremes, once T'Challa reclaims his throne (by killing Killmonger), he opens up the borders of Wakanda to assist the nations of the world, but in a more realistic and safer approach then giving people powerful weapons and telling them to kill anyone on the street with a different skin colour then yours. To those who don't believe that cause it wasn't outright said, the subtexts, wording, and cultural history this world has made it very clear even if it wasn't one hundred per cent stated.
I know I don't normally go into cultural impacts of films, and while I have absolutely nothing against the placed importance general audiences have put onto this film, most of it is well deserved. There is one thing I need to go into, something I recall being brought up in more extremist circles of the internet. The idea that Killmonger might have been right. To those who at least, if not still do think this way, there are reasons why that ideology was put onto the villain. In many stories, the ideologies of the villains are what the creators envision as wrong. Was he right to an extent? Yes, countries should try to assist others when assistance is needed, but never to a detriment to others. The former kings of Wakanda never assisted with outside world matters due to them believing it was best for Wakanda. Killmonger believes that killing the colonists is what's best for subjugated cultures. Notice how the film does portray both of them as in the wrong? No? Still, think he might have had a good point? Try comparing him to Hitler and then tell me he's still in the right. Apologies to those who have enough brain cells to not believe things like that, just wanted to get that off my chest.
There's only one major flaw I have with the story (meme pandering excluded). I do wish Klaue had more of an important role in the story, but alongside him, I do think T'Challa gets shoved to the side a little too much to focus on the wider cast. This feels more like a Wakanda movie rather than a Black Panther movie, at least at times. Granted, what helps let it slide is that the supporting cast is all excellent in this movie, especially the three female leads. But if you are fans of the Black Panther, you might be disappointed at how he's handled here because he's more grounded, and relies on others a lot more now. It's the main reason why I think he gets shoved to the side at times. This is one of the more "your mileage may vary" cases for a movie because it all depends on what you want in a Black Panther story.
In terms of presentation, while I think this is one of the worst CGI jobs the MCU has done (it gives off the feel of being rushed more than others), the locations, set design and soundtrack are excellent. Even for the CGI, I love the looks of the ships, the Wakandan buildings (especially the mines), its just that they needed some extra polish before release, something I hope they do for a Black Panther 2. Oh, what's that? He can't? Look at the box office earnings for this film and tell me there won't be a Black Panther 2.
Is this the best of the Marvel films? Well... one of the best, yes, I can agree there, easily top 5. The best though? I don't think so, but that's because the other four for me (Avengers, Winter Soldier, Infinity War and Iron Man 1) easily bounce around in those top spots. I was actually considering doing a Top X List for the Marvel films as a way to talk about Infinity War this year, but while the bottom films are easily in the bottom, and the top films are easily in the top, the middle of the list films are kind of "Ehhh.... they can go anywhere?". For now though, I'm gonna call this a rap on MAYvel, as I am done with Marvel movies for at least until next year (depending on when Ant Man and The Wasp come out and how long I'm going to be unable to walk). See you on Sunday for the Power of the Primes Starscream review, and coming up next here? I'll either be putting on a show, or potentially the annual PrE3 video.
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