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If Waititi’s Thor Ragnarok was Marvel’s comic comedy caper, then Black Panther is its entry into dramatic thriller territory. Although it contains everything there is to love about a Marvel film: super powered heroes, a dash of humour, and plot lines connected to the rest of the franchise, Black Panther feels more grounded and believable as only Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy has done for comic book films before.

 

Although Boseman’s portrayal of T’Challa is solid and without fault, it is the villains of the piece that are the most intriguing, full of depth, and entertaining. It is so easy to forget just what a superb character actor Andy Serkis is because so often he is cloaked in some CGI creature, but he excels as the violent, neurotic, wide eyed arms dealer. But the real stand out has to be Killmonger, perfectly potrayed by Michael B. Jordan, who has crafted a villain unlike anything we have seen since Ledger’s Joker. Killmonger is more than just a one dimensional ‘baddie’ attempting to gain world domination, he is a displaced soldier fighting for justice for his oppressed people.

 

Beautiful costume and set design, a fantastic cast, and a riveting dramatic plot makes this Marvel’s most mature outing yet. Wakanda forever.

 

Another home run for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with a taut, dramatic, thriller that twists, turns, and surprises and the most human of super hero villains since Ledger’s Joker.

 

     ★★★★        ★           ☆