Marvel’s first hit of 2018, Black Panther raises the bar for all of Marvel’s releases this year and for years to come. Believe the hype; Black Panther is a fantastic movie.
While elements of the plot can feel a bit familiar at times, it never distracts from the elements that truly make this movie stand out: the characters, settings, costumes, music, mythology, and action all make for an exciting trip to the nation of Wakanda. Chadwick Bosman is superb in his second time as the Black Panther, with Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger making for a compelling villain. The rest of the cast, which includes a few familiar faces from the MCU and a few actors new to the Marvel movies, all make for an excellent ensemble cast. And no worries if you’re not a big fan of the rest of the MCU; while there are definite references to the larger movie universe, you can go into this movie knowing very little about the character and world of Black Panther and still enjoy yourself.
If you haven’t seen Black Panther yet, you are doing yourself a disservice. If you have seen it, you probably already feel the need to see it again. Black Panther is in theaters now. Wakanda forever.
The Sack Score: 9/10