We’ve never seen anything like this before.  It’s been two years since Black Panther’s introduction in Marvel’s “Civil War” and it’s finally here and it is so worth the wait.   I’ve seen it twice already and I can’t promise you that I won’t see it a third time.  This movie has taken a very long time to make it to the big screen and this is most definitely a film that HAD to be directed by a black director.  It’s also a movie I didn’t realize how much we needed until it was upon us.  “Black Panther” is an unapologetic   non- dumbed down immersion into black culture with melanin abound. We are not butlers, mammies, slaves or in drag for comic fodder.  We are ROYALTY. We have a young black princess who is intelligent and does wondrous things with technology that makes Tony Stark’s suits look like scrap metal. ( I can’t wait for these two to meet.) We have an army made up of black women who protect the king, kick ass and look glorious while doing it. We have a leader who is honorable and humble who genuinely wants to do the right thing. We have an antagonist ( not villain) who wants a chance at the throne that is rightfully his who also wants to share the means and technology  of Wakanda with other people who are oppressed.  Looking at these fully realized figures made my heart full.  Thinking about all of the little kids, some who are for the first time watching a hero on screen that they an relate to, made me proud.  I won’t go into the story except to say that it was reminiscent of “The Lion King”. T’Challa and Killmonger have an argument  in which I think both side are valid.  The movie is full of metaphors from the fact that the world sees Wakanda as a poor third world country which is a direct reflection of how a lot of people view Africa as whole, to Okoye, the general of the Dora Milaje who hates the wig she dons and eventually ditches to “blend in” in the casino. There is symbolism in the use of colors especially in the costumes, most of which I picked up on  during my second viewing.  I am anxious to hear your thoughts but first, a few take aways:

1. Angela Bassett was MADE to play an African Queen and I am here for her white dreadlocks.
2. Danai Gurira as Okoye was so fierce and powerful. She is MY hero.
3. T’Challa’s little sister Shuri is adorable and funny and per the comics even becomes the Black Panther herself at some point which I hope one day will be portrayed on screen.  She has the charisma to star in her own series.
4. Although the Oscar’s don’t usually show superhero movies any love I believe that Ruth Carter should and could get a nomination for Costume Design which was PHENOMENAL. The research she did shows in the details and really helped bring this world to life. Ryan Coogler absolutely deserves a Best Director for his work here.  The movie focuses on the story with action sprinkled in instead of the other way around. It was serious when it needed to be, funny when it needed to be and I never thought that the messages were heavy handed but rather relevant and timely considering the current state of the world.
5. I know the movie is called “Black Panther” but I honestly agree with what most are saying, Michael B. Jordan steals the show, and I can see a Supporting Actor nod for him. He is intense, he is angry (rightfully so) and the fight between him and T’Challa was so brutal and heartbreaking.  It was he, who says the line I don’t think I’ll ever forget, “Bury me in the ocean with my ancestors who jumped from ships ’cause they knew death was better than bondage.”

#WakandaForever