Anticipation for Black Panther, Marvel’s first black superhero movie, has been at an all time high since the first trailer dropped in late 2017, and for good reason. Based on Jack Kirby’s 1966 comic and directed by Ryan Coogler, the film is a long overdue celebration of African heroes and heritage at a time that some would argue is more important than ever – after all, it was only a few weeks ago US President Donald Trump (it still hurts to say that) labelled Haiti and some African nations “sh*thole countries.”
The film, which hits UK cinemas on 13 February, was premiered in LA on Monday with cast members including Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o and Daniel Kaluuya all in attendance. And if the early reviews (thank you Twitter) are anything to by, the hype has well and truly been affirmed. Critics have called it the “James Bond of the MCU (Marvel Comic Universe)” while others have described it as “a visual feast” and “a love letter to blackness.”
#BlackPanther is a love letter about blackness, to a world that often ghettoizes it without realizing that it is on black backs that this planet revolves.
This world’s livelihood is in our blood. pic.twitter.com/FscW1hWbI6
— Tre’vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) January 30, 2018
Celebrity guests at the premiere were also full of praise as they left – Donald Glover called it “beautiful” while John Boyega said that movie “meant history” to him. So why exactly does it mean so much?
It’s a celebration of black heroes
While we’ve had the odd black superheroes – Blade, Cleopatra Jones, Luke Cage, X-Men‘s Storm – there’s never been anything quite like Black Panther. For the first time, black superheroes have been put at the front and centre as lead characters – no minuscule roles or quick cameos – and that’s a big deal. There’s been a long-standing lack of representation within superhero culture and director Coogler has flipped the script to change that.
It shows Africa in a positive light
In both Hollywood and the media, we’re often shown the same stereotypical depictions of Africa – poverty, hopelessness and children in need. However, Black Panther avoids this. Instead it portrays Wakanda, the fictional African nation the movie is set in, as an beautiful and innovative land with potential to be tech-forward. And most important of all, it shows its people as strong and fearless.
The female superheroes play a key role
One of the major talking points of Black Panther is the way it showcases its female heroes. While King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) and Erik Killmonger (Michale B. Jordan) take the roles of protagonist and antagonist, the film also shines a light on the importance of the Dora Milaje, the all-female personal guards of the Black Panther. “They are women who pledge their lives to the throne and to the security of the kingdom,” says Danai Gurira who plays general, Okoye, in a BTS video.”Okoye represents the old guard and tradition, while my character, Nakia, challenges tradition,” adds co-star Lupita. Together, they represent strength and power and make a hell of a difference from the typical female Marvel heroes who are often kept in the sidelines.
The film makes for yet another pro-female change by celebrating Shuri (Letitia Wright), T’Challa’s sister, as the lead scientist who creates the Black Panther suit.
Its an opportunity for young, black actors to be recognised
For so long, black actors (with the exception of a few household names) have been thrown into stereotypical roles – the funny guy, the ghetto best friend, the thug villain. Black Panther has created a new platform of representation for black people. One where we’re flying through the air, running across buildings and fighting against evil, instead of playing the same old cliche roles. Not to mention that it has put the spotlight on a plethora of black rising stars – more of this please, Hollywood execs!
