Movie Review: “Black Panther” throws culture and timely themes into Marvel mix

Movie Review: “Black Panther” (PG-13)

While some might argue that the last decade has seen its fair share of cinematic superhero overload, Marvel is to be commended for stirring the pot recently. Look no further than “Thor: Ragnarok.” Director Taika Waititi’s wonderfully self-deprecating comic-book adaptation delivered the action to be sure, but that film played up the quirky comedy more than anything else, and it was all the more entertaining for it. With “Black Panther,” Marvel has taken things a step further by bringing the gifted Ryan Coogler into the fold and allowing him to bring his own vibe to the proceedings. The end result is a colorful spectacle that is as lively and entertaining as it is heady and culturally expansive.

Following his part in the events that unfolded in “Captain America: Civil War,” T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), aka Black Panther, returns to Wakanda — a reclusive, technologically advanced African nation — where he must battle a rival tribesman in a bid to become king. After earning the throne, T’Challa’s role of leader is put to the ultimate test when a bitter Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) threatens to expose Wakanda and its people’s way of life. Who Kilmonger truly is and what he really wants is best left unspoiled here, but let’s just say that his involvement in the film and his contention with T’Challa sets a surprisingly provocative stage for a movie that finds its primary characters traveling from breathtaking Wakanda to the neon lights of Busan and the tough streets of Oakland, California.

Interestingly enough, while “Black Panther” sits alongside “Guardians of the Galaxy” as the most standalone of Marvel’s cinematic efforts, this is not simply the Black Panther show. No, this is an ensemble. T’Challa is certainly a primary focal point throughout the movie, but he hardly does all the heavy lifting. In fact, were it not for the involvement of female warriors Naika (Lupita Nyong’o) and Okoye (Danai Gurira), T’Challa probably wouldn’t have made it through this adventure alive. Of this film’s many worthy attributes, it is the importance of character in “Black Panther” that might be most worth noting. Each character here serves a significant purpose.

Ryan Coogler follows his hard-hitting debut, “Fruitvale Station” and his rousing “Rocky” spinoff “Creed,” by jumping head first into Marvel-world. But rather than simply making a formulaic superhero movie, he thoughtfully uses an outer “Black Panther” shell to house something of far deeper meaning. This is to say that “Black Panther” has a whole lot of layers. And interestingly enough, these layers are the true foundation of the movie. The heroics and spectacle are certainly there, but they are more secondary to what “Black Panther” is really about. How you respond to the themes at the heart of this movie may depend on how you view the world we’re living in. Whatever the case may be, there’s no doubt that Coogler is a passionate storyteller with something important to say, and he swings for the fences in a big way here. It should also be noted, though, that humor doesn’t take a back seat to said importance. This is a fun movie, and it’s clear that in addition to being extremely thoughtful, Coogler is also the ultimate fanboy.

As for the stellar ensemble, everyone does their part. Boseman brings a quiet, stoic sensibility to T’Challa, and while he is the title character, make no mistake: Nyong’o and Gurira are his ass-kicking equals in every conceivable way. Likewise, Letitia Wright is wonderful as Shuri, T’Challa’s spunky, smart-mouth sister. A scene in which Shuri is the Q to T’Challa’s James Bond is a “Black Panther” highlight.

Martin Freeman does nice work as Everett Ross, a reluctant hero who’s asked to help save the day on more than one occasion while a brilliantly lively and menacing Andy Serkis chews scenery as Ulysses Klaue, a loose cannon of a baddie who has no problem taking out anyone who might get in his way. Serkis is known mostly for his stunning motion capture work, but his flesh-and-blood turn as Klaue is further proof that he’s one hell of an actor, no matter what kind of role he’s playing.

Last but certainly not least, we have Michael B. Jordan. A hero is only as compelling as his adversary, and Erik Killmonger isn’t simply one of the best antagonists in Marvel’s cinematic landscape — he’s the best, period! Jordan brings emotional weight and complexity as a resentful individual who might just be past the point of no return. There’s real depth here, and the road that Killmonger travels is not unlike that of his protagonist counterpart. It speaks a lot to Jordan’s ability as a performer that no matter what awful act Killmonger might commit in this picture, you can clearly see where he’s coming from. That certainly doesn’t excuse Killmonger of his heinous crimes, but at the very least there’s deep-rooted perspective. Compelling stuff.

Where comic book movie adaptations are concerned, “Black Panther” isn’t a masterwork by any means. There are a couple of fight sequences that are a bit muddled, and there are a few stretches when the movie resorts to standard CG overload. Furthermore, a subplot involving a bit of contention between T’Challa and his fellow tribesman W’Kabi (played by Daniel Kaluuya of “Get Out” fame), feels cliched and underdeveloped. These things aside, however, “Black Panther” emerges as a colorful, vibrant, grand scale entertainment with more than a few important issues on its mind. Coogler is to be admired. He has a lot to say, and the fact that he was able to inject such timely themes into a tent-pole release of this size speaks volumes to his passion and his skills as a storyteller.

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