Marvel May - Black Panther (2018)

         Hey guys, Chuck here. Well, we're getting closer to the end of Marvel May, which means we only have a few more Phase Three movies to get through. So, let's dive into Black Panther. Released in February of 2018, this film was the first MCU film to be nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture. So, let's see just how good it really was. 

          The movie opens in the city of Oakland, California during the early 90's, where T'Chaka, the king of Wakanda, confronts his brother N'Jobu about a stolen stockpile of Vibranium, which was stolen by Ulysses Klaue. T'Chaka believes that N'Jobu have Klaue information on how to get into Wakanda and steal the Vibranium, and ultimately, N'Jobu is killed, leaving behind a son. 

           Years later, the new king of Wakanda, T'Challa, carries out a mission to rescue a friend of his, Nakia. After the rescue, T'Challa, Nakia, and Okoye of the Dora Milaje all return to Wakanda, where T'Challa faces potential challengers for the throne of Wakanda, with only M'Baku of the Jabari tribe choosing to challenge for the throne, only to be defeated by T'Challa, who later consumes the juice of the heart-shaped herb, which gives him the power of the Black Panther. Some time later, T'Challa is informed of a recent sighting of Klaue, who is still wanted by the leaders of Wakanda, and is sent to South Korea to apprehend him. Equipped with new gear designed by his sister, Shuri, T'Challa heads off to capture Klaue and bring him back to Wakanda. 

        While attempting to capture Klaue, T'Challa runs into CIA Agent Everett Ross, who is also looking for Klaue, and agrees to hand him over after a brief interrogation. A massive chase ensues, and T'Challa nabs Klaue for the CIA. With Klaue captured, Ross asks a series of questions, and mentions how Wakanda is a small place with only a limited supply of Vibranium, but Klaue tells him that this is only a front. Klaue is then broken out by a few allies of his own, one of whom is former black ops Navy SEAL Erik Stevens aka Killmonger. Killmonger reveals that he, himself, has ties to Wakanda, and kills Klaue, taking his dead body back to Wakanda, where he reveals himself to be N'Jobu's son N'Jadaka, and challenges T'Challa for the throne. The two fight, and Killmonger shows to be the more formidable fighter, killing Zuri, who reveals to have betrayed N'Jobu years ago, and nearly killing T'Challa, who escapes, but is presumed dead. After his victory, Killmonger consumes the juice of the Heart-shaped herb, giving him the power of the Black Panther, and he orders the rest of the crop destroyed. Luckily, one Heart-shaped herb is recovered before the rest is burned. 

         So, Nakia, Shuri, Ross, and T'Challa's mother, Ramonda, flee to the Jabari tribe, where they learn from M'Baku that T'Challa is alive, but barely holding on. So, they decide to use the Heart-shaped herb to restore his health, as well as the powers of the Black Panther. Now restored, T'Challa heads to Wakanda to confront Killmonger and regain the throne, while stopping him from sending Vibranium weapons across the world. After a lengthy battle, the weapons caches are destroyed, and Killmonger is defeated, asking to be tossed into the sea, preferring death to life in bondage. 

          T'Challa, now king of Wakanda once again, takes Shuri to Oakland, where he plans to open the first of many Wakanda outreach centers, feeling that Wakanda can do some good for the world. A mid-credits scene shows T'Challa meeting with the United Nations, where he breaks down his plans for Wakanda to help the rest of the world, and a post-credits scene shows a recovering Bucky Barnes, relaxing in Wakanda. 

           Director Ryan Coogler did an excellent job with this movie. The writing is easily the strongest of any MCU solo movie, and the action is top notch. The cast of this movie, including Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa, Michael B. Jordan as Killmonger, Letitia Wright as Shuri, Lupita Nyong'o as Nakia, Angela Bassett as Ramonda, Winston Duke as M'Baku, Forest Whitaker as Zuri, and so forth, are all terrific in this movie. I also really liked the look of Wakanda. The scope of the place was just incredible. Overall, an excellent entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I give Black Panther a 5/5.

         Sadly, I do have to talk about the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman last year. Boseman, who was quietly battling cancer while working on the Marvel movies he was part of, lost his battle with cancer and passed away in 2020. Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige has since confirmed that for the upcoming sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which will once again be directed by Ryan Coogler, the role of T'Challa will not be recast out of respect for Chadwick Boseman. Many fans, myself included, have speculated that Shuri, played by Letitia Wright, will most likely take on the mantle of Black Panther, but we'll see what actually happens when the movie hits theaters next year. 

        This is Chuck signing off, and I'll be back later on today with my review of Avengers: Infinity War as Marvel May continues.