Black Panther

Director: Ryan Coogler.
Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Martin Freeman.
Wakanda is a fictitious country in West Africa sitting on a mountain of Vibranium, the strongest metal on Earth. The huge stock of the metal has enabled the nation to develop amazing technology and the country is flourishing.
Yet to the outdoor world, Wakanda is just another poor African nation. The Wakandans have kept their success under wraps, isolating itself from the rest of the world, fearing that if the rest of the world knew the potential of Vibranium could be used to develop the wrong kind of technology.
After the death of King T’Chaka, his son T’Challa, imbued with the strength and powers of the Black Panther, assumes the role of king of Wakanda. The beginning of his reign is not an easy one. He will be challenged every step of the way, with the leaders of different tribes divided on the subject of whether they should make Wakanda’s wealth known to the world in order to deliver foreign aid to poorer countries.
The main threat comes when, while trying to regain a museum piece made out of Vibranium that has just been stolen, T’Challa meets Erik Killmonger – an outsider claiming to be of the Wakandan royal bloodline and challenging the Black Panther for the throne. Truths are unveiled and T’Challa struggles to deal with the secrets that have been buried for so many years.
Black Panther is a Marvel film of a different calibre. With its carefully crafted plotline, it manages to deliver very powerful messages as well as meeting the spectators’ expectations of a action packed and visually impressive comic book blockbuster.
While introducing new and incredibly entertaining characters, ‘Black Panther’ manages to keep true to the Marvel Cinematic Universe while exploring the deep and powerful consequences of colonialism and the ravaging of the African continent by conquering forces. It is also delivers a subtle criticism of the discrimination against black citizens and their treatment in society.
The film was only released on the 13 Feb so it will be hanging around your local cinema for a few more weeks. If you’re a fan of superhero blockbusters, this is one you can’t miss!
> Naomi Round