We all recognise the brand of ‘Marvel movies’ and regardless of whether we know all the characters through cinema, or our childhood, and we anticipate each new release with fervour. The blockbusters brought to the silver screen do not fail to amaze us with the superhuman feats displayed and endless energy.
However, it was not until the latest release “Black Panther” that we realise what has been missing. There was the usual eclectic mix of characters that had a central goal to bring the end to a climax as well the humour. But the diversity and representation took the audience by surprise. This movie was meaningful and not just another Marvel story. It was different and hats off to the director, Ryan Coogler for making this bold move. The film truly had a message to share without taking away the superhero dynamics that we are all so used to and which work so well for this huge franchise. Black Panther was spellbinding from the onset and it was funny too. We could associate with the characters and the breathtaking scenery. At no point did the story feel that it had lost the plot.
Following the death of his father, T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is crowned the king of Wakanda, a technologically advanced country in Africa that has hidden itself away from the rest of the world. T'Challa is charged with defending the nation in his guise as the costumed superhero known as Black Panther, but his reign is challenged by a Wakanda dissident named Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), who wants to sell the country's natural resources to fund an uprising. Cast include: Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis co-star.
I asked my sister, Serena Patel, a student at Farringtons School in Chislehurst what she thought about this movie. This was her reply, “I assumed this would be another good Marvel movie to watch but this one exceeded my expectations and really excited me. It was fast paced with the usual thrills and I enjoyed every minute. Definitely one for the home library!”
It has been a long time overdue but it was well worth the wait proving to become the most successful movie of all time.
Rhea Patel - Farringtons School
