 | Genre: Action |
The plot explores black supremacy, differing outlooks on racial liberation, the difference between African and African American, alternative history, moral decisions and what the future could hold. Which characters are right and wrong, and why and how, is not something for non-black viewers to express opinions on; Martin Freeman's white USian character is almost the white audience's placeholder. He quickly learns that what is going on around him is ancient and current and complicated, and his best choice is to be supportive to Black Panther's group.
Without spoiling the film too much, as it is definitely worth watching the story unfold without knowing where it leads, all sides have a point. The previous Kings did keep Wakanda safe by hiding it's resources away. Killmonger is right that countless black people suffered and fought without Wakanda stepping in to, you know, prevent or end the African/US slave trade, the colonialisation of Africa, and racial inequality. The Jabari are well within their rights to stay completely out of it. T'Challa is just trying to compromise and find the best option. Even the characters within the groups have nuanced and valuable opinions, choosing loyalty to the throne, nation or T'Challa, fighting reluctantly against loved ones, even just trying to survive the chaos. This is not the Golden Age of superheros, with it's clean good versus evil battles.
While there was a potential for LGBTQ representation in a relationship between two of the all-female Royal Guard that was cut, there is great representation of women. The Royal Guard is all female and King T'Challa's little sister is the head of technological advancement. There's a lot of variation in female beauty, too, with shaved heads and longer dreadlocks, form fitting armour and looser cut dresses, and makeup and jewellery emphasising different parts of the face in different ways.
The film, of course, is part of the wider Marvel Movie Universe, and while it follows a story that doesn't involve the other superheroes, the ending leaves space for some amazing events. Wakandan outreach, more vibranium, and good black characters in the upcoming Marvel films.
Without spoiling the film too much, as it is definitely worth watching the story unfold without knowing where it leads, all sides have a point. The previous Kings did keep Wakanda safe by hiding it's resources away. Killmonger is right that countless black people suffered and fought without Wakanda stepping in to, you know, prevent or end the African/US slave trade, the colonialisation of Africa, and racial inequality. The Jabari are well within their rights to stay completely out of it. T'Challa is just trying to compromise and find the best option. Even the characters within the groups have nuanced and valuable opinions, choosing loyalty to the throne, nation or T'Challa, fighting reluctantly against loved ones, even just trying to survive the chaos. This is not the Golden Age of superheros, with it's clean good versus evil battles.
While there was a potential for LGBTQ representation in a relationship between two of the all-female Royal Guard that was cut, there is great representation of women. The Royal Guard is all female and King T'Challa's little sister is the head of technological advancement. There's a lot of variation in female beauty, too, with shaved heads and longer dreadlocks, form fitting armour and looser cut dresses, and makeup and jewellery emphasising different parts of the face in different ways.
The film, of course, is part of the wider Marvel Movie Universe, and while it follows a story that doesn't involve the other superheroes, the ending leaves space for some amazing events. Wakandan outreach, more vibranium, and good black characters in the upcoming Marvel films.
