Black Panther Movie Review

It’s hard to remember the last time there was a movie with the incredible buzz behind it that Black Panther has. It’s already set records for most advanced sales for a superhero movie and 4th most of all time only behind a trio of Star Wars movies. Its Rotten Tomatoes score is high 90s. I walked into this movie with sky high expectations.

Expectations are a bear! In retrospect I don’t think there’s any way I could like Black Panther as much as the buzz demands. I’ve got to admit that I liked it but it could have been better. It was like a sandwich with too much bread: there are some incredibly tasty moments but they are too sparse.

The actors are terrific. I love Chadwick Boseman as T’challa. He brings a gravitas and soul to the role that reminds me a little of what Chris Evans does with Captain America. They’re both the straight men of their respective stories and manage to do it without being boring or preachy. I thought Michael B. Jordan was truly scary as Killmonger. That in itself is a pretty good feat because he looks so damned nice! He presents a very worthy villain and continues Marvel’s recent trend of improved villains. The women steal the spotlight in every scene that they’re in! Angela Bassett has a natural regality and gravitas that makes her a perfect queen mother. Lupita Nyong’o and Danai Gurira are fierce and never once made me question their ass-kicking credentials. I’ve only got one thing to say about Liticia Wright as T’challa’s sassy genius kid sister: I really, really hope we get to see her crossing one-liners with Robert Downey, Jr. in one of the Avengers movies!

So with those amazing performances why did I find myself not madly in love with the film? Pacing seems to be the problem. The tasty bits are surrounded by too much stuff. There are some big ideas and big performances in this movie but I judge superhero movies based on how much I’m entertained and Black Panther could have benefitted from some streamlining. By all means, go see the movie, you won’t be wasting your money. My caveat to you: temper your expectations.

Neil Holmes