Black Panther

Tropic Sprockets by Ian Brockway

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Director Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station) scores big for Marvel with his epic of the superhero genre, “Black Panther.” The film is as layered as any conventional drama. Though a comic book story it is textured with apprehension, humor and spirit. The film may feel like a comic book, but that is not to say it is paper thin; this story unfolds like a novel. It’s also an analysis about what it means to be a leader, where it counts, as a person caring, empathetic and emotionally strong. Whether you call it an adventure story or a family drama of sorts, there is no dispute that it is also pure matinee entertainment.

Though there are several sub-plots, the film mainly concerns T’Challa/ Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and his leadership of Wakanda where all is not Paradise. A cousin of T’Challa’s feels that he got a raw deal (and he did). The cousin Erik (Michael B. Jordan) steals the life giving metal known as vibranium in a quest to become king and presumably, achieve world domination.

What starts as a battle of good vs. evil transforms into a dysfunctional family nail biter. Add a savvy visual style, pointed one-liners that are actually funny, and thrilling action sequences, and you don’t have just an escapist film, but something more lasting: a rich cinematic experience.

This is a comic book film about Africa as a continent and a culture that treats all elements African as treasure. This is a real place with a great history and in a sense there is nothing “comic book” about it.

Lupita Nyong’o co stars as Nakia, Panther’s love interest, and the maestro of movie magic Andy Serkis has a fine outing as the mercenary Ulysses Klaue.

This superhero film was a long time in coming and it makes a fine counterpoint to the waspy superhero incarnations of the 1950s. It truly celebrates itself and African culture, yet it is not self-conscious. It possesses a definite sense of place, but it does so not out of duty, but out of joy. The combat scenes alone rival anything from “Iron Man.”

“Black Panther” isn’t just a comic book film or a sci-fi film about Africa, but also a great movie. Black Panther is not just a hero to his people, but a hero for all of us. Panther’s values are universal, no less or more American than the legendary Captain Steve Rogers.

Write Ian at ianfree11@yahoo.com