‘Wakanda Forever’ – Black Panther

So I went to watch Black Panther with my housemates, bare in mind that most of them are huge Marvel fans and I am more of a DC girl. But we had all seen multiple trailers for Black Panther and we were all excited about the hype.

And there was so much to be hyped about! Black Panther was able to distinguish itself from a Marvel film whilst enjoying the role of being a Marvel film.

Ryan Coogler, the director was able to use the template of a Marvel film with all of its action and technology and superheroes, whilst twisting it to present elements of black excellence, with complex and strong characters who all have different battles rather than just fighting the bad guy. The use of Wakanda as a fictional place enabled the representation of all elements and realms of Africa without stereotyping and by celebrating the cultures.

With the costumes design, the sets, the music, and the actors, the theme of pan-African culture were celebrated immensely.

Moreover, the film was able to use Erik Killmonger who whilst being the antagonist of the film was extremely profound. he is an example of the cultural, social wound caused by the transatlantic slave trade.

“Two billion people all over the world who look like us whose lives are much harder, and Wakanda has the tools to liberate them all. Where was Wakanda?”

Without revealing too much of the film, in this scene where the quote above is present when Killmonger, is scolding the Wakandan court. He tries to liberate all black people in the film, and he feels that Wakanda and T’Challa are not helping with that battle.

When it comes to Marvel antagonists, Killmonger transcends the binaries as it is questionable as to whether he is actually a villain or not, because what is wrong with black liberation? He is an antagonist that sparks debate rather than assuming that he is meant to be the villain.

T’Challa whilst being the protagonist of the film also is quite conservative when it comes to Wakanda, he believes in Wakanda’s isolationism and does not want it to change.

Whereas Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia seeks to take in refugees, into Wakanda, she like Killmonger wants liberation. However, it can be considered that Killmonger wants liberation through hegemony, but I will let you guys watch the film in order to figure that out.

As well the complex antagonist, Black Panther delivers with strong, complex female characters. Including Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia, Letitia Wright’s Princess Shuri, and Danai Gurira who plays Okoye. All of the women are beautiful actresses and are in positions of power in the film. Okoye is the general of an all-female army and she celebrates her feminity whilst being a strong warrior who takes no shit.

Nakia whilst being T’Challa’s ex is not defined by that. She is a spy who tries to liberate other people outside of Wakanda and puts other people’s safety before herself. She has a wonderful friendship with Okoye as well which is a bonus.

And, my favourite character is Princess Shuri. She was a 16-year-old genius, she took vibranium and instead of making a shield out of it she helped to power Wakanda. She is wicked smart, funny, also takes no shit. She is also an amazing warrior. As well as being a meme child, her relationship with her brother T’Challa is amazing and funny. She worries about driving on the wrong side of the road during a car chase! What isn’t there to like about her?

Black Panther with its representation, charisma and beauty is a love-letter to black culture. it is not just a Marvel film, it is politically aware which is important in this day and age. There is something for everyone. Including me, just a DC fan. Whether its the representation, the action, the likeable characters or the strong female characters.

I and my housemates loved it and would watch it 10 times over, we hope you guys feel the same!

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