Black Panther
POSTED BY: SHINYGOODGUY
UPDATED: Wednesday, July 29, 2026 19:09
VIEWED: 6156
PAGE 1 of 5
I wouldn't call it great, but it's a very good film about a superhero with a conscience. Black Panther has all the earmarks of the original "Iron Man" with a little bit of Thor thrown in.
As origin stories go, it blended the modern day urban society with the modern technologically advanced society of the future. It's something we could have today, if we weren't so busy shooting each other. Black Panther touched upon some political realities, but with a soft touch so as to bring awareness without jumping up on the soap box.
It's both action-packed and socially conscience with several laughs sprinkled throughout. Yes, it was funny in all the right places, much more than I expected without going overboard. This was definitely how a movie should be put together.
There were very minor melodramatic scenes that might be considered cringe-worthy, but that was soon discarded and replaced with some breathtaking scenes and action sequences that Marvel is known for. Overall, I really finished liking Black Panther not merely for it's message of brotherhood, but also for it's attention to story, plot and pacing. This is a movie that thoroughly entertained, tickling the funny bone well teaching a lesson in family dynamics. Shakespeare on steroids, so to speak.
If you're a Marvel fan, go see it. If not, go see it. By the way, you don't need to know anything about the Black Panther as they do a wonderful job of giving his origins without resorting to old typical stereotypes and storytelling techniques.
Actually, I saw a variation of this type of storytelling many years ago, but they had a unique twist that I found refreshing. It added to the overall experience of getting to know Black Panther without weighing down the movie. At 2 hours and 14 minutes, it moved along quite nicely, with a good soundtrack and unique dialogue.
Fun Fact: I went to a 5 p.m. showing and the theater was packed. BP was playing on 5 screens and they all had lines going out the door and down the corridor of the theater. I haven't seen it this packed since Star Wars: A Force Awakens and The Dark Knight.
SGG
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That's funny, we were both writing our reviews at the same time 
Are you Siskel or Ebert?
Here's mine, and I'll put yours on mine for fun...
So, first let's talk about that "97% fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Is this the best movie I've ever seen?? Ummm, no. Would this be the best black superhero movie ever? Maybe, if I was a cis black male, though I'm sure many others would like it too. I would probably take Morpheus or the Falcon (as a character) any day of the week.
Before the movie we were actually discussing all the black lead (super)heroes to compare and it's not a big list... Blade, Static Shock, Luke Cage, Catwoman, M.A.N.T.I.S., The Last Dragon, Black Dynamite, Spawn...and maybe the voice half of Samurai Jack Compared to some of those, I can see why the buzz around this movie.
Next, if you go see it, DON'T SIT IN THE FRONT. We usually do because there is less people, and the chairs are usually cleaner and in better condition. This movie has much lights flashing, fighting, noise, and hard to follow sections that make up close viewing difficult/painful.
This movie really is maybe 2/3rds just fight scenes and action, and only 1/3 of that was interesting (to US, anyway). I kept having flashbacks to that Pon Farr Spock episode of Star Trek TOS
I knew there would be a lot of fighting .......(couldn't help but think about the Queen's recent edict that Megan Merkel not hug or touch people too much, but since he's a black king it's ok to brawl to the death every thirty seconds Can we get something in between those two options, please?? )
...however I'm the type to fast forward through long fight scenes whenever possible, so I got a little battle weary by the end.
The female military guards were just stunning to watch though. Strong, beautiful women in well-choreographed battle scenes that I'm sure made Joss's heart go all pitter-patter. I think THEY need their own movie. Not kidding, here.
I have to give Martin Freeman a hand on his 'Merican accent, he does a much better job than Cumberbatch did in Dr. Strange.
There weren't a whole lot of funny parts to the movie (just two or three minor chuckles), and there were two extra scenes at the end (one after credits).
If you are in the mood for more black actor leads, this is the promo that ran with the movie...reminded us of Panic Room. Plays on Mother's Day, May 13.
Hubby gives Black Panther a B+, I give it a B, and the kiddo gives it a B-.
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Saaaaaayy.......Work all day 'til the morning come!
Ha, ha! Jinx! Hey, does that mean we'll hit Lotto or something. Hope so.
Say listen, thanks for posting my "pocket" review in your post. I was about to do the same, when I saw this post. You could be Siskel, I'll be Ebert. Unless you wanna be Ebert! Ha, ha!
Saw it yesterday, but when I got home I was so tired I went right to sleep and woke up like 2 in the morning, and went right back to sleep.
SGG
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Saw it. Really really liked it. May be the best Marvel movie yet. Certainly ranks up near my fav, Captain America.
All the good parts from above. Well shot, great *cast, characters, liked the writing... nice mix of action, humor, and credible plot line.
Minor issue I had w/ the political narrative - the US isn't / wasn't , anywhere near the level of England, Spain , or France a " colonial " power. I hate that theme being shoved down people's throats as being part of actual history. Its WAS a former colony , for pete's stake !
* Forest Whitaker - fine actor and all, but I just didn't buy him for this part. I think it could have been better if a lesser known actor filled this part.
Also, I really liked Martin Freeman in his role. His character did seem a bit out of place, but I think he worked well as a sort of tie in to Avengers: Civil War. He's sort of the Agent Coulson of the MCU , going forward.
Curious side note - tried to buy an early Sunday ticket, but the online seat selections were very scarce. Only 1st row and not much else available. Wasn't until later in the day I could find a decent seat. Oddly, when I got there, the theatre isn't even 1/2 sold out. All those ' not available ' seats were almost entirely available. I'd say the near sold out movie was only 1/3 full.
Don't recall seeing that before.
Fathom the hypocrisy of a government that requires every citizen to prove they are insured... but not everyone must prove they are a citizen
I'm just a red pill guy in a room full of blue pill addicts.
" AU, that was great, LOL!! " - Chrisisall
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Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:
Minor issue I had w/ the political narrative - the US isn't / wasn't , anywhere near the level of England, Spain , or France a " colonial " power. I hate that theme being shoved down people's throats as being part of actual history. Its WAS a former colony , for pete's stake !
* Forest Whitaker - fine actor and all, but I just didn't buy him for this part.
Also, I really liked Martin Freeman in his role. His character did seem a bit out of place,
I think as far as most black people are concerned, yanno, with the slavery and all, we were just as bad as the rest in the past, hence the derogatory connotation. Can't say as I blame them.
I will agree to the other two points...Forrest and Martin were both odd choices...
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Quote:
Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY:
Hey, does that mean we'll hit Lotto or something.
I'm pretty sure winnin' the lotto is a myth.
Of all the people I've ever known that have played, no one of them has ever won more than a few hundred...
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Quote:
Originally posted by Wishimay:
I think as far as most black people are concerned, yanno, with the slavery and all, we were just as bad as the rest in the past, hence the derogatory connotation. Can't say as I blame them.
I will agree to the other two points...Forrest and Martin were both odd choices...
I'm not even saying the Oakland, NWA tie-ins to the movie weren't relevant. Hey, even if I don't like it , I can still admit it connects to a attitude and point of view many had. My 2 cent rub has more to do w/ the authenticity of ' colonial power ' in the sense that other European nations ruled most of Africa, and other parts of the globe, INCLUDING the Americas. Yeah, the same Americas which received so many of those slaves, but yet itself was a colony. Sins of the past, sure, call it what you want, but don't pile on extra nonsense that wasn't ours - ever.
I guess CIA agent Ross ( Martin Freeman ) was basically the 'token' character of the movie, where as Zuri ( Forest Whitaker ) was simply miscast. Props to his agent for getting him the gig and all, but it's just a minor gripe. Still a solid A movie, imo.
Fathom the hypocrisy of a government that requires every citizen to prove they are insured... but not everyone must prove they are a citizen
I'm just a red pill guy in a room full of blue pill addicts.
" AU, that was great, LOL!! " - Chrisisall
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Quote:I heard that some groups like Black Lives Don't Matter took out large blocks of tickets to give to only Black kids. So maybe Black kids in your hood were illiterate, couldn't read the signs? Even heard Big Brothers did so, wasting the money from contributors like me - errr, former contributor.
Originally posted by AURaptor:
Saw it. Really really liked it. May be the best Marvel movie yet. Certainly ranks up near my fav, Captain America.
All the good parts from above. Well shot, great *cast, characters, liked the writing... nice mix of action, humor, and credible plot line.
Minor issue I had w/ the political narrative - the US isn't / wasn't , anywhere near the level of England, Spain , or France a " colonial " power. I hate that theme being shoved down people's throats as being part of actual history. Its WAS a former colony , for pete's stake !
* Forest Whitaker - fine actor and all, but I just didn't buy him for this part. I think it could have been better if a lesser known actor filled this part.
Also, I really liked Martin Freeman in his role. His character did seem a bit out of place, but I think he worked well as a sort of tie in to Avengers: Civil War. He's sort of the Agent Coulson of the MCU , going forward.
Curious side note - tried to buy an early Sunday ticket, but the online seat selections were very scarce. Only 1st row and not much else available. Wasn't until later in the day I could find a decent seat. Oddly, when I got there, the theatre isn't even 1/2 sold out. All those ' not available ' seats were almost entirely available. I'd say the near sold out movie was only 1/3 full.
Don't recall seeing that before.
Fathom the hypocrisy of a government that requires every citizen to prove they are insured... but not everyone must prove they are a citizen
I'm just a red pill guy in a room full of blue pill addicts.
" AU, that was great, LOL!! " - Chrisisall
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I was referring to the Jinx of posting almost at the same time, but yeah I always hear of someone winning in Oshkosh, Wisconsin or some such place, mostly Florida boonies. Lots of folks winning in Florida. I wonder why?
Anywho, I mostly buy scratch-off tickets now for a few bucks. I actually won $50 once.
SGG
Quote:
Originally posted by Wishimay:Quote:
Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY:
Hey, does that mean we'll hit Lotto or something.
I'm pretty sure winnin' the lotto is a myth.
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Oh behave! Even Rappy kept it civil Jewels. Rappy! I only made mentioned of the political undertones so that people wouldn't say I didn't give them a head's up.
Overall, like I said it was relatively mild compared to other fare (i.e. The Post).
But don't believe the "hype" lots of rumors fly about and mostly they're not credible. I'm not going to get into a political "discussion" here in Cinema. So don't even try.
SGG
Quote:
Originally posted by JEWELSTAITEFAN:Quote:I heard that some groups like Black Lives Don't Matter took out large blocks of tickets to give to only Black kids. So maybe Black kids in your hood were illiterate, couldn't read the signs? Even heard Big Brothers did so, wasting the money from contributors like me - errr, former contributor.
Originally posted by AURaptor:
Saw it. Really really liked it. May be the best Marvel movie yet. Certainly ranks up near my fav, Captain America.
All the good parts from above. Well shot, great *cast, characters, liked the writing... nice mix of action, humor, and credible plot line.
Minor issue I had w/ the political narrative - the US isn't / wasn't , anywhere near the level of England, Spain , or France a " colonial " power. I hate that theme being shoved down people's throats as being part of actual history. Its WAS a former colony , for pete's stake !
* Forest Whitaker - fine actor and all, but I just didn't buy him for this part. I think it could have been better if a lesser known actor filled this part.
Also, I really liked Martin Freeman in his role. His character did seem a bit out of place, but I think he worked well as a sort of tie in to Avengers: Civil War. He's sort of the Agent Coulson of the MCU , going forward.
Curious side note - tried to buy an early Sunday ticket, but the online seat selections were very scarce. Only 1st row and not much else available. Wasn't until later in the day I could find a decent seat. Oddly, when I got there, the theatre isn't even 1/2 sold out. All those ' not available ' seats were almost entirely available. I'd say the near sold out movie was only 1/3 full.
Don't recall seeing that before.
Fathom the hypocrisy of a government that requires every citizen to prove they are insured... but not everyone must prove they are a citizen
I'm just a red pill guy in a room full of blue pill addicts.
" AU, that was great, LOL!! " - Chrisisall
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