Solid Entertainment

Rating: 7/10 (24 February 2018)

This is a film that is a good addition to the MCU, but it doesn't really bring anything new to the table. This results in the film being quite predictable and bland at times, whilst still remaining enjoyable.
The acting is all very assured, particularly from Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Danai Gurira and Martin Freeman. However, Michael B. Jordan's Erik Killmonger is the real star of the show. He is a very compelling villain whose motivations you can understand due to being removed from a culture he should have been allowed to grow up in. Also as he has effectively been set on his path by T'Challa's father killing his father, it creates something that is very Shakespearian.
The theme of ancestry is something I felt was explored very well with how T'Challa realises he can make changes from the decisions of rulers of the past. This then results in Wakanda providing aid to other countries and not isolating itself from the rest of the world, which feels like a very timely message. The melding of traditional African culture with advanced technology was also engaging and visually satisfying.
There are some issues though such as some CGI looked quite fake, some dialogue being clunky, the humour mostly falling flat (The 'What are those' joke was particularly cringeworthy) and Killmonger should have been involved in the narrative a lot more. Overall it's a mostly satisfying superhero film.