Overview
“Black Panther” is a 2018 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name.
It is the 18th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
The film depicts the background of T’Challa who succeeds to the throne of Wakanda after the episodes depicted in “Captain America: Civil War” (2016): the death of Wakanda king T’Chaka and the civil war of the Avengers.
It stars Chadwick Boseman (T’Challa / Black Panther). Directed by Ryan Coogler. 134 minutes.
Plot
Thousands of years ago, a meteorite containing the metal called vibranium falls to the continent of Africa. Five tribes start a war over the metal. One warrior ingests a heart-shaped herb affected by the metal. He gains superhuman abilities, and becomes “Black Panther”. He unites all the tribes but the Jabari Tribe to form the nation of Wakanda.
Over centuries, the Wakandans use vibranium to develop advanced technology and civilization, and isolate themselves from the world by posing as a third world country.
In 1992, Wakanda king T’Chaka (John Kani) visits his brother N’Jobu (Sterling K. Brown), who is working undercover in Oakland, California. T’Chaka kills N’Jobu because N’Jobu stole vibranium from Wakanda and passed it to black-market arms dealer Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis).
In 2016, T’Chaka is murdered by terrorist bombs. T’Chaka’s son, T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns to Wakanda to succeed to the throne. In the crowning ceremony, the Jabari Tribe’s leader M’Baku (Winston Duke) challenges T’Challa for the crown, but T’Challa defeats M’Baku, and he becomes the new king of Wakanda.
Meanwhile, Klaue steals vibranium from The Great Britain Museum in London in cooperation with the U.S. Navy SEAL and black operator Erik “Killmonger” Stevens (Michael B. Jordan). T’Challa, Okoye (Danai Gurira), who is the head of the Dora Milaje, the guards for Wakanda king, and Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), who is T’Challa’s former lover and a War Dog, a spy for Wakanda, travel to Busan, South Korea to arrest Klaue.
In cooperation with Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman), who is a member of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), T’Challa captures Klaue, but Killmonger recaptures Klaue, and Ross is seriously injured protecting Nakia. T’Challa takes Ross to Wakanda, where Ross is treated by T’Challa’s 16-year-old sister and scientist Shuri (Letitia Wright), and he is saved from death.
Killmonger kills Klaue, and comes to Wakanda. Killmonger makes it clear to T’Challa and Wakandan royals that he is N’Jadaka, the son of N’Jobu. Killmonger has a claim to the throne. Killmonger is going to use Wakandan technology and weapons to free all the African people around the world from oppression, following his dead father’s will. A battle over the throne begins between T’Challa and Killmonger.
Commentary
“Black Panther” is a superhero film that is characterized by its distinctive, Afrofuturistic worldview, which includes a mix of African traditional culture and high technology. It is high-quality as a near-future battle action film. The action sequences featuring high-tech outfits and remotely piloted machines (a car and a jet plane) are worth seeing.
The film won many awards, including three awards at the 91st Academy Awards: Best Costume Design, Best Original Score, and Best Production Design.
