MCU in Review - Black Panther (Spoiler Free!)

Black Panther Mask - Imgur

I was lucky enough to get to see an early screening on Wednesday night. But I wanted to gather my full thoughts. 

This film is powerful and it's characters well developed. The colors and imagery stay with you long after leaving the theater. As does the music, which blends tribal drums with modern hip hop. In fact, for the whole of Black Panther, the mixing of modern tech and traditional customs plays in the background.

The bigger theme, to me seems to be about learning, growth, and how to approach an uncertain future in a drastically changing world. This is handled well and resolved in the mid-credit scene.

General Okoye (Danai Gurira) - Popsugar

My favorite part of the movie would be the strongly written women in T'Challa's inner circle. General Okoye, played by Danai Gurira of Walking Dead fame, is one of my personal favorites. She handles her job with the authority of her rank. She is no nonsense and constantly thinking of all outcomes. It was great to see that those around her treated her and her opinion with respect and addressed her by rank.

Shuri (Letitia Wright) - Den of Geek

My other favorite thing is the portrayal of T'Challa's kid sister, Shuri, played by Letitia Wright. Although she is a princess and the smartest person in the MCU (even more so than both Bruce Banner and Tony Stark), she is allowed to behave like a teenage girl. And none of her actions are positioned in a way that is a set up for a joke. She gets excited, laughs at her brother, and expresses her emotions. This is extremely important given how teen girls are mocked for what they feel and enjoy. Shuri shows girls that they can be themselves and pursue their passions.

All in all, these are only a few wonderful reasons to see Black Panther. There are many more and I highly recommend you go and experience this thrilling new installment in the MCU.