Panther Power.
134 Mins. Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Daniel Kaluuya, Winston Duke, Martin Freeman, Andy Serkis, Sterling K. Brown, Angela Bassett & Forest Whitaker. Director: Ryan Coogler.
Can you see the pride in the panther? Tony Stark's Iron Man may be the billionaire, playboy, philanthropist. But he doesn't have these riches or resources. Dr. Bruce Banner's Incredible Hulk may be the strongest Avenger out there when he's angry. But he can't absorb force like this. Thor's Asgardian world of ravishing realms may be a ye olde testament to a biblical proportion palace of the Gods. But it doesn't have the colour or vibrancy of the vibranium laced Wakanda. And Steve Rogers' Captain America may be the stars and stripes, patriotic pride of his United nation. But without the claws of Black Panther who is going to get this man a shield once the 'Civil War' goes to 'Infinity' in this trilogy concluding summer and beyond? T'Challa forever! 'Message From The King' star Chadwick Boseman has another one from the throne after his scene pouncing turn in 'Cap 3'/'Avengers 2.5'. And after this relatively new leading man superstar has already played a careers worth of real life black icons (baseball legend Jackie Robinson in his '42' debut. Godfather of soul James Brown in 'Get On Up' and former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Thurgood 'Marshall'), he plays a comic-book one with regal honour that may aswell be real for the millions of kids, black or white, young or old who see him as more than the old cape, but a source of influenced inspiration. After confirming his great character in an epic ensemble piece he's truly home in his world now. And this revelation of a movie directed with too cool creativity and change by agent of that Ryan Coogler is a chance for the revolution to be televised...on the most cinematic of screens. Even if original Marvel universe big screen black hero, Anthony Mackie (his Falcon flying after and alongside Terrence Howard and then Don Cheadle's War Machine) quipped that 'Black Panther' didn't necessarily need a black director as "it wasn't like they got a horse to direct 'Seabiscuit'". But who else but 'Creed's Coogler? This is his culture. This is his time. This is the big picture. You'll want to freeze it for this moment of great change behind a real Marvel (before we see the real cosmic Captain) that ever since the Parker geeky Spider-Man always took on the responsibility to give power to those who well and truly had it, no matter who counted them out or looked at them differently. But nothing and no one right now has the power to do real good quite like this homecoming. And what a better time for this idea to be alive than Black History Month?
Afrocentric and amazing, the wonderful world of Wakanda is where this cinematic universe's first black superhero big picture resides. If you discount the Netflix 'Luke Cage' show (which is a movement you really shouldn't) and the old 'Blade' trilogy starring Wesley Snipes, who almost cut his claws as the Panther back in the day. But with all due respect to the all action hero of the golden era, who would have made a 90's Panther picture as retro cool as one of those old Sega Mega Drive Marvel beat 'em ups, when it comes to the real T'Challa no one can play this man like Boseman. Nailing this with fingertips Wolverine would be jealous of (unless those three scars on Thanos' face are from Logan). After his 'Civil War' opening battle cry he now reintroduces himself like Hov as Chadwick makes this a classic. An accented performance worked to perfection with his chain wielding 'Message From The King' dialect coach, but one that has so much more beneath the veneers of the coolest cat suit since Anne Hathaway or Michelle Pfeiffer (forget Iron Man, this billionaire in black can even out gadget Batman with a Bat-Wing clipping craft). The real power beneath the millions of nano vibranium tech is the humble heart of the good man and the one, true king who shows even more dignity and regal grace and even helpings of humour beneath the hurt than he did in his father loss, ring bearing, mantle taking debut. Heavy is the head, but in watching this throne a cavalier Chadwick Boseman wears the crown like King of the Land, LeBron James. He's not the only one with eyes on it however in this game. As straight outta Oakland again like a Golden State Warrior in reuniting with Coogler after the real life 'Fruitvale Station' and Stallone rocking 'Creed' (with Sly in a galaxy of 'Guardians' and Tessa Thompson as 'Thor-Ragnarok's' Valkeryie everyone from the 'Rocky' sequel got Marvel jobs) the third times the charm for Michael B. Jordan in their own epic trilogy. Scene stealing every moment Jordan is the greatest here like his Basketball G.O.A.T. namesake. And you'll be feeling that mask too...even more than his own perfect Panther attire. Walking into his introduction in chains, but dread locked free and scarred all the way down to all the men this Killmonger has put down, this merc with a recognisable mouth in a Mads world of multiple Josh Brolin's and Mandarin's is the best Marvel villain since Tom Hiddleston's Loki looking for Thor's throne, causing Heath Ledger Joker like serious anarchy. With all due respect to Batman/Birdman Michael Keaton's working class villian, Vulture. A "bad guy" that actually has more than the point of his humanity to argue for rooting for him beyond sucker sympathy, no matter how dark he takes the Black Panther. Michael and Chadwick mirror the violence vs peace of Malcolm and Martin even more than the X-Men intended Professor X and Magneto. M.J. hasn't had this much of an effect on a hero since Spidey's Mary Jane. Now what a way for the chronicles of his superhero career to rebound after the 'Fantastic 4' burnout, despite his blazing Human Torch (now that's two Johnny Blaze's rose from the ashes after the one they call Cap). And it's set to be a scorching hot summer 2018 for Michael B. As by the time the sun goes down on Wakanda, he'll be igniting his new HBO show with 'The Shape Of Water' villain Michael Shannon, 'Farenheit 451' based on the Ray Bradbury book burning bestseller. Jordan rules so much some who look up to this cat may want to be just like Mike.
Lucky the King has three queens in his monarchy to help protect his castle. From former flame and '12 Years A Slave' and 'Star Wars' star Lupita Nyong'o reawakening her big movie force. To 'All Eyez On Me' and 'The Walking Dead's' Danai Gurira on guard killing it with the bald head. Or how about science sister Letitia Wright providing the tech support? Partnering and bantering up with her sibling simbiotically. A Q bond worth more than a Stark/Banner science bros partnership. 'Ready Player One'? Because she is! 'Get Out' Oscar nominated actor Daniel Kaluuya is also here an on the form of his life, aswell as 'Person Of Interest' Winston Duke boxing out as the updated Man-Ape, stronger than ever in a contest to be champion. This class cast has it all even a Stan Lee rivalling cameo by Moonlight. From a Bilbo and Gollum, interrogation room reunion between 'Sherlock's' accented (what's up Doc Strange?) Martin Freeman in CIA mode and Caesar himself, another accented Andy Serkis clearly having the fun of his life without the white dots, but with a real prosthetic enhancement. To legends like 'What's Love Got To Do With It' Tina Turner, Angela Bassett as the mother of all queens about to enter the 'Mission Impossible', 'Fallout' and the 'Roots' of the grounding and great Forest Whitaker in mentor mode behind this epic empire. Even 'This Is Us' and 'The People vs O.J. Simpson' standout Sterling K. Brown (a thoroughly good 'Marshall' represented, Boseman co-star reunited), does a sterling job as a war dog in the hood. But aside from Chadwick, Coogler is the real hero here in this motherland connection, bringing everything together for his biggest and most beautiful movie yet. Refreshing Marvel's formulated feel like Taika Waititi did with the ravishing 'Ragnarok' this fall gone. This from a guy who got in the ring with 'Rocky' and also fought the police over 'Fruitvale'. But here he reaches for a higher power of spiritual soul to erase all the hate in a heartbroken world. And oh how sweet this is to be looked at by you. This movie landscape is lavishing. From the wonders of Wakanda and it's sonic subway showdown. To the South Korean soul of the Seoul neighbouring, busy billboard city of Busan and a casino chipping, car flipping chase that runs like a train through the electric soaked streets of rain for this kings worldwide reign. Just like the purple plant neon veins of his upgraded black suit, all vibranium everything, no steel panther. Car candy hasn't been this fast or furious in the Far East since Tokyo if you catch my drift? This superior superhero film scores so many points and even has the best and most important rapper alive right now, Kendrick Lamar curating a Marvin Gaye 'Trouble Man' (Sam Wilson told you you'd find everything you need on there) and Curtis Mayfield 'Superfly' soundtrack featuring all the stars, from SZA to 'Homecoming' Miles Morales uncle, Childish Gambino...DAMN! And you best rock with it until the final post credits scene that is well worth sticking like popcorn on the floor around for, no Cap PSA joke on you. This is one movie right now which you won't mind waiting on 'Infinity War' for. Could this even be the best Marvel movie in the cinematic universe 'Winter Soldier'? As when I left the cinema with absolutely everyone in attendance feeling the same sort of superpower they did with 'Wonder Woman'-that had nothing to do with capes but had everything to do with flying-there was one kid wearing a Black Panther costume...he was white! Now what does that tell you? An African heritage, cultural phenomenon of textured tradition for a brave new world. Raising a fist for the power of how much black lives matter without any appropriation or exploitation. The revolution is here. Wakanda forever. Wakanda for the people. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'Captain America: Civil War', 'Creed', 'Message From The King'.
No comments:
Post a Comment