Distributed By: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Production: Marvel Studios, Walt Disney
Director: Ryan Cooper
Writers: Ryan Cooper, Joe Robert, Don McGregor, Jack Kirby, Stan Lee
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordon, Lupita Nyomg’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letita Wright, Winston Duke
Cert: 12A
Running Time: 2Hrs 14mins

Two words: Sub text.

In writing, sub text are the things not written about but nevertheless in the story. In Black Panther Wakanda is a hidden African nation. Hidden, although never pointed out, from the European and North American slave trade and from the European colonisation and exploitation in the 18^th, 19^th and 20th centuries. The closest nod comes when Martin Freeman’s character, a CIA agent, is referred to as a colonist.

And what a nation Wakanda is, technologically advanced and ahead of Europe and North America nations. Sky-scrapers dot the horizon in Wakanda and an advanced transport system running on magnetic tracks. Director Ryan Cooper puts all of this on show and never once asks the obvious question, instead, he leaves that to the more enlightened cinema goer: ‘Is this what Africa would have looked like if Europe and North America had left Africa alone? The answer is obvious.

This though, is all backdrop, the foundation which Black Panther launches itself from with a nobility and sense of purpose not seen in many films, let alone superhero films. If say you are not into these seemingly spandex, costumed dramas, it is time to reconsider. Black Panther is more than the sum of its parts, more than just a romp. Don’t get me wrong, the action is fast and more furious than seen before. Death, betrayal, shame, weakness, the urge for a supressed and racially abused people to descend into revenge and bring down all those who justly deserve that fate, it is in Black Panther too.

But Black Panther has something so many films – in all genres – lack. It addresses the here and now. All lives matter. Black Panther has a philosophy so well pitched, so well codified in the moment, you will not be nodding your head knowingly, you will feel it more than sense it. And at the same time be so caught in the film you will not be aware of it. Feel good movie? No, Black Panther is not that crass, not that manipulative.

Black Panther does not underestimate its audience. It celebrates it. It celebrates you.

One last thing.

I have added the comic book writer Don McGregor to the writing credits. McGregor does not get that luxury in the actual film credits for Black Panther. However, it was Don McGregor’s tenure, writing Black Panther stories in the Marvel comic book Jungle Action featuring The Black Panther. McGregor’s contribution is single-handedly created the nation Wakanda. And more than that, in the mid 1970’s, when black superheroes were written at best indifferently, he gave Black Panther the nobility you will see on the screen.

My understanding, is Don McGregor will not see a penny of the profit from the Black Panther he helped create. And that, that is wrong.

Shame on you Walt Disney and shame on you Marvel Comics and Marvel Studios.

 

Reviewer: Steve Hooker