BLACK PANTHER

US, 2018, 134 minutes, Colour.
Chadwick Boseman, Michael B.Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Sterling K.Brown, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Andy Serkis, Isaach de Bankole, Sebastian Stan.
Directed by Ryan Coogler.

Within a week of its release, Black Panther had received very favourable reviews, a further development of the Marvel Comics universe – although the character had appeared in Captain America: Civil War (and a scene from that film is reproduced here to explain the origins of T’ Challa, the Black Panther, the death of his father and some disastrous consequences of his father’s decisions). Within two weeks of the film’s release, it had taken almost half $1 billion at the world box office.

But, it is also become something of a social phenomenon. Here was a superhero film with black characters, most performed by Afrcian or African- American actors, opening up a different world from the expected, introducing a mythical kingdom of Wakanda, hidden somewhere in the southern part of Africa, all traditions and rituals combined with contemporary and futuristic technology. And, the screenplay puts a lot of emphasis on the history of slavery, the slaves going to the United States, human rights. In hindsight, it is not surprising to find that the film was embraced not only by African- American audiences in the US but by various cultures all around the world who identified with the colonialised as well as the enslaved. And the film was directed by an African- American director, Ryan Cooper who had made his mark with small socially-concerned film, Fruitvale Station, and then the rebooting of the Rocky series with Creed.

As a superhero film, it is certainly striking in its visuals, especially the city capital of Wakanda, skyscrapers, transport, people freely walking around, and, more especially, the last waterfall and cliffs settings for the establishing of T’ Challa as the Black Panther King and as the scene for a challenge from a rival, a vigorous battle. (And another vigorous battle later on when the mysterious black American character and villain arrives to challenge T’ Challa). The screenplay draws on a lot of mythical lore which may or may not have grounding in fact. But, it creates the setting for a mysterious kingdom, the source of its power, Vibranium, not known anywhere else in the world, preserved for the people of Wakanda who are finally challenged to contribute to world progress and peace. In its presentation of Wakanda and the potential of an African nation to contribute to the world on the responsibility of its leaders, there seem some criticism of leaders past and present local Robert Mugabe and Jacob Zuma.

Chadwick Boseman is T’ Challa, the Black Panther. He had already played real-life characters as Jackie Robinson, James Brown and Chief Justice Marshall Thurgood. T’ Challa is a strong hero but is not unvanquishable. In fact, those of a religious frame of mind with references might note something of a death and resurrection.

He receives his power from the traditions, from his father who was assassinated in 1992 in Vienna, from his strong mother, Angela Bassett, from the wise adviser, Forest Whitaker, and from costumes and masks with special inherent powers and from the Vibranium. His technological-whiz sister, Nakia, played with verve by Lupita Ngoung’o, has vast resources of technology, expertise in managing them, virtual cars and plane cockpits, and still has the time to go out to battle and give communication advice in the middle of conflict. There is also Okoye, Danai Gurira, also a warrior, in love with T’Chilla?. In fact, this seems to be a Pretorian guard of powerful female warriors.

So, the concerns of the story focus on black characters. And for token whites in the film – there is Andy Serkis as a sleazy arms dealer from Johannesburg, Martin Freeman as a former pilot and CIA agent (interestingly, both these whites are British rather than from the US).

But, the main villain, is also a black, with an interesting back story about his father, an ambassador to the United States, his vision for the use of Vibraniuim, his death and his heritage for his son. The son is part Wakandan, part American, involved in “CIA activities and learning a brutal trade. He is played by Michael B. Jordan (who also appeared in Ryan Coogler’s Fruitvale Station as well as Creed).

Whether Black Panther will be a social rallying cry for some time, the raising of black consciousness, or will be a phenomenon of 2018, it is hard to say. However, it continues the tradition of Marvel superhero films (with Stan Lee doing his usual cameo, at a casino, and billed as Thirsty Gambler), and T’ Challa will become part of The Avengers (that rather clogged series with an abundance of superheroes each waiting their turn for a battle sequence).

The audiences who rush to the exit as soon as a word appears on screen will miss a significant rousing and encouraging speech from T’ Challa about world peace and development. And, there is a mini preview of another Black Panther film at the end of the credits.

1. The impact of the film? As a superhero movie from Marvel? The black superhero? The film as a social phenomenon?

2. The importance for fans of the Marvel Universe? The place of Black Panther? In the Captain America film? His continuing in the Avengers films? His sequel?

3. The director and cast, all black? And some token whites?

4. Audience knowledge of the Black Panther comics? The narrative from Captain America? 1992, the meeting in Vienna, the assassination? The effect on T’ Challa? On Wakanda?

5. The locations? Wakanda, the city, large, technology, the technology centres, the palaces, the ordinary streets and the public? The countryside, the vast cliffs and waterfalls? The contrast with Korea, the social gathering? The virtual aspects of cars and piloting? The musical score, rhythms and themes?

6. Vibranium, and Wakanda? Having the substance for themselves, protecting it? The 1990s and the possibility of offering it to the United States? The king and his condemnation of his brother? His brother’s death? Mercenaries interested in having it, stealing it, the CIA and the bidding in Austria? The potential of Vibranium, for conquering others or for helping others?

7. T’ Challa as a character, his personality, in Wakanda, his father’s story, the support of his mother, his bond with his sister, Nakia? His love for Okoye, her putting him off? His being the future king after the death of his father? The rituals? The use of Vibranium? The mask, the power, the teeth necklace? His becoming King, the challenge to his authority, the fight, his saving his opponent? His power?

8. The history of work under given at the beginning, the various tribes, unions, those tribes not joining, the consequences?

9. The flashback to the mission in Vienna? The king going, his brother, the plans for the for brainy? The king and his advisor present? The death? The son and his inheritance? The father not telling T’ Challa about this event?

10. The mother, her role? The chief adviser, his explaining the history, the rituals, his advice to T’ Challa? The fact that he was present in the US in 1992, witnessed the situation and the death?

11. The decision to go to Korea, the mercenary from Johannesburg, his sleazy an avaricious manner? His thugs? In Korea, at the meeting? T’ Challa and his disguise, his sister, Career? And the warriors, the praetorian guard of women? Being revealed? The fight sequences?

12. The mercenary, going back to Johannesburg, Erik Killmonger with him? His thugs? The mercenary being killed? Killmonger, going to Wakanda, the confrontation of T’ Challa?

13. His story, the revelation about his goals? His growing up in America, resentment of the death of his father? His self-awareness? Wanting more? His training with the CIA, the covert operations?

14. His challenge to T’ Challa, the extensive fight, T’ Challa falling, dying, in the coma in the snow, his being found, revived? His resuming his role?

15. Killmonger and his going to T’ Challa’s rival? His story, promises? The battle and the surrender?

16. The leader who fought with T’ Challa, T’ Challa going to meeting to ask his help, his refusal? His story? And then his coming with his warriors, joining in the fight?

17. The battles, the weapons, Vibranium, the technology, Nakia and her control? The rhinoceros attack? The deaths?

18. The CIA operative, his past as a pilot, CIA, action, presence in Korea, the Vibranium? The interactions with the mercenary? With T’ Challa? With Erik Killmongeer, explaining his story? His returning to Wakanda? His wanting to explain situations and his being put in his place? His having to act as a pilot, the virtual cockpit, shooting down the dangerous planes, split-second timing, falling to earth, rebooting, success?

19. The final confrontation between T’ Challa and Erik? Erik defeated, wanting to look at Wakanda? His regrets?

20. T’ Challa as King, his concern for the world, Vibranium and contributing to world betterment? His encouraging speech during the final credits?

21. The indication of the sequel after the credits?

22. The film’s popularity, around the world? Social phenomenon? Box office success? The role of Africa, the memories of colonial powers, slaves? The role of African leaders, the African Union? And the challenge to the corrupt leaders in Africa and their failures?