These last few weeks, even months there has been a lot of hype about a particular film. A film that has recently blown box office records. It’s Black Panther. As this was the biggest film to see this month, that is exactly what I did.
It started off with the history of the Black Panther and the various tribes within the nation of Wakanda, and how three out of the four tribes became united under Black Panther. With the Jabari Tribe choosing to rule themselves and keep it traditional while the others advanced in technology.
This doesn’t mean the other tribes abandoned their tradition and culture. The traditional element can be seen in the dancing and clothing worn within the ceremonies, which was a nice touch. The waterfall backdrop was a stunning place for the ceremony and first fight scene between Jabari Tribe leader M’Baku and T’Challa (Black Panther).
The film then looks into current moral and social issues such as people’s greed and how neglect can cause a build-up of hate.
Black Panther himself displayed strong morals and good leadership. We get to see another side to Black Panther that we don’t see in Civil War, and get to understand his character and personality better.
At the beginning of the film, it is all about protecting Wakanda and not letting outsiders in, but by the end, it’s about what they can do to help others. T’Challa gives a strong speech at the end that rounds off the film nicely.
Marvel has continued its portrayal of strong women in Black Panther by making not only a whole tribe of female warriors but also by including these amazingly strong women as main characters within the film:
Shuri, Black Panther’s sister, and the Wakandan Princess. She was the inventor and was as humorous as she was intelligent. She constantly wanted to help her brother and was not afraid to get stuck in and fight. She was definitely one of my favourite characters in the film. Plus her lab is amazing.
Then there was Black Panther’s love interest: Nakia, a spy for Wakanda and on a mission to help those less fortunate than herself. She was portrayed as strong-minded and righteous, never straying from what she believed was right.
Then there’s Okoye, who is head of the Dora Milaje (Female warriors/special forces). She is loyal to her country and its king. She never wavers from this and is not scared to question the king or have a laugh at his expense but will protect him with her life if she is able to. She is the Black Panther’s right-hand, who he can trust with all things that need to be done. She is also considered the strongest warrior in Wakanda.
The film even displays a little bit of karma; with the villain, Erik Stevens a.k.a Killmonger being a consequence of T’Challa’s father’s actions. It is also demonstrated when M’Baku helps T’Challa, who spares his life at the beginning.
I have to say that M’Baku is a character who grows on you and is a humorous character who helps lighten the mood.
All in all definitely worth the watch.
Elizabeth Han Hopkins 