I walked into the theater two weeks after Black Panther was released across the country. I'd heard a lot of good reviews from friends and neighbors and I was excited to see the movie for myself.
I just didn't realize exactly how excited other people were for this movie too. I stood in line for 25 minutes after buying my ticket just to get into the theater. Within five minutes of opening the doors, every seat was filled. The energy and anticipation in the air was palpable.
From the start to the finish, it seemed like the entire audience everyone felt personally invested in the movie. We cheered for T'Challa, we laughed at Shuri's sassiness, and we gasped when Killmonger took over Wakanda. Watching this movie in a theater really amplified the experience exponentially.
The movie itself was remarkable in various aspects. The culture of Wakanda was immersed in every scene. From the music to the clothing, it was like nothing I'd ever seen before. It was absolutely beautiful and captivating to watch.
The actors were all fantastic. Chadwick Boseman, known for his work as Jackie Robinson and Thurgood Marshall and James Brown, has a knack for owning the spotlight shined on him. Michael B. Jordan was arguably one of the best Marvel villains we've seen yet. He was brutal and yet, it was clear to the audience how his past had shaped him into the person he was. The female actors were equally as exceptional. Lupita Nyong'o and Letitia Wright played off of each other and superbly portrayed smart, capable, and fearless women.
Along with having a majority African-American cast, the strength of the women is as unique and empowering of an aspect of the movie. Having this army of brave female warriors was slightly reminiscent of Wonder Woman. Having Shuri be the smartest person in Wakanda was also a bold and rewarding move. She, with her humor and sass, gave the movie a much-needed comic relief and arguably, stole hearts across the country.
The music, the culture, and the innate conflict between concern for your own country and opening your doors to the rest of the world made this movie relevant, noteworthy, and iconic amidst the plethora of superhero movies.
Coming out of the theater, I felt invigorated and inspired. The special effects were beautiful to behold and the movie left me with much to contemplate even after we had left the theater. The wait was definitely worth it, the hype was proven true, and a new hero has arisen.
Wakanda Forever.
