Intelligent superhero film

Rating: 9/10 (23 February 2018)

Apart from the fact that this is a major step forward for black representation in movies of this genre, Black Panther actually comes across as that rare beast, an intelligent superhero movie. It certainly resonates with the isolationist politics currently in vogue and offers a critcism against them (with subtle refrences to Trumps "wall") but for me it was that the characters themselves (with a notable exception) were well rounded and motivated. The weak link was the character of Klaw. A one dimensional nutter who's only purpose was to be the stock racist South African and to kill people needlessly. In truth a lot of the usual tropes are here love interest, good guy gets defeated good guy comes back, bad guy kills nice people etc. but on the whole it is well done and the visuals especially of Wakanda city are beautiful. I espcially liked the references to African culture which added a nice flavour to the look of the film. On the basis of this I would watch another one.