Captivating, Visually Stunning and Relatable

Rating: 10/10 (19 March 2018)

I've seen this movie twice. The first time around I thought the movie was good, but not as good as what everybody claimed it to be. I think my opinion at that moment was due to the fact that I had walked into the movie late and missed the opening scenes. The second time around, however, I got to see the opening to the storyline which drew me in. There were moments in the movie that had went over my head the first time that I watched it, that I finally understood on the second trip.
I liked the vibrant colors in this movie. The outfits and the design of the characters were really impressive. I liked how they modernized tribal-looking things and blended it with technology. One scene that really stood out to me was when T'Challa was walking out of the spacecraft onto the top of the waterfall to be celebrated by the Wakandans' singing. Then the camera pans upward to show all of the people welcoming him home. I was impressed by M'baku coming out of the cave inside the waterfall and I thought his mask looked really cool. That opening fight scene really drew me in. Chadwick Boseman is a very good actor, as well as Michael B. Jordan, and Winston Duke. I think the whole cast including Lupita N'yongo, Angela Bassett and Letitia Wright were perfect for the movie and very convincing.
If I had to choose a favorite scene, it would be the scene where Killmonger and T'Challa were fighting while still falling. It was like Killmonger was so determined to destroy T'challa that he didn't pay attention to the height that he was falling. Killmonger had so much anger built up in him and he did EVERYTHING ("I waited my entire life for this") just to be able to take T'Challa down. Although, Killmonger was RUTHLESS and a cold-blooded killer he was very relatable. How many of us have been the underdog, been done wrong or have had almost everything taken from us? I think many African-American's can really relate to that because of the past mistreatment that their ancestors have faced and some still face today. I think it's not only relatable to African-American's but to any race in everyday situations. How many of us can also say that we have not desired retribution, or just wanting to get back on top? I think that's something a lot can relate to.
My criticisms of this film would be that they should have kept Killmonger alive and just made him join forces with the Wakandan's. I think Michael B. Jordan was so convincing and I think if they really want the next Black Panther to be good they should keep his character. Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan were the main characters that kept the audience glued to the screen. My advice to Ryan Coogler is to keep Killmonger in. By the way Ryan Coogler is an awesome director. Oh, and another critique before I go is that, they should have did more with the soundtrack. I mean go really hard with the music and blend even more of the African, tribal sounds with the hard trap beats. Overall good movie!