Marvel's answer to DC's "Wonder Woman"

Rating: Null/10 (4 June 2018)

"Black Panther" and "Wonder Woman", two of the most successful genre movies based on Marvel and DC comics respectively, have something in common, something that may well be the key ingredient to their success. They are both founded on a rich mythological background which is solid enough for the audience to related to (i.e. not as farfetched as "Thor").
By this time, the story of "Black Panther" must be so generally known that even a brief outline is superfluous. Still, I'll attempt one, just bare backbone of the story, with no reference to narrative style (which includes a few simple flashbacks).
In Wakanda, a near-Utopia kingdom in Africa whose mind-boggling technological advancement is hidden from the rest of the world, T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) becomes King upon the death of his father (see "Captain America: Civil War" for details of the assassination) after defeating a challenge to combat in accordance with tradition. His rule initially goes smoothly as he is loyally supported by mother Ramonda (Angela Bassett), mentor Zuri (Forest Whitaker), technology wiz-kid sister Shuri (Letitia Wright), ferocious warrior General Okoye (Danai Gurira) and ex-girlfriend comr spy Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o).
Then a crisis develops upon the emergence of an evil arms dealer Klaue (Andy Serkis, in his "human" face) who is inexplicably in possession of a small quantity of vibranium, Wakanda's national treasure, a rare metal that can be used to construct the most formidable weaponry. With the help of friendly C.I.A. operative Everett Ross (Martin Freeman), T'Challa and company tries to capture Klaue. This in turn leads to deeper secrets of something that happened when T'Challa was a child, something that Zuri has been at great pains to hide from him.
The key villain finally emerges, one Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) who, laying claim on direct bloodline, challenges T'Challa for the throne. So much for the aforementioned "bare backbone". The rest of the plot unfolds more or less as expected.
Ryan Coogler, director of "Creed" (2015), the successful continuation of the "Rocky" legend with a tonal and theme variation, brings the same skill and touch to "Black Panther". No movie in this genre can succeed without pleasing the expectant audience with exciting action sequences, and "Black Panther" certainly misses nothing there. But what puts this movie a cut above the others is the heart-breaking pathos that Coogler brings, and Jordan (the lead in "Creed") delivers.
But, don't get me wrong. If you are looking for fun and laughs, you get plenty in "Black Panther". When Ben Whishaw took over as the second generation "Q" in "Skyfall", you might think that this sort of superhero-tech-support role (such as Morgan Freeman in "Batman") cannot get any cuter. I thought so too, until I saw Letitia Wright as baby sister Shuri in "Black Panther".
The cast is splendid, Wright being one among them. Boseman has earned his place, now firmly established, with the superheroes. Jordan delivers a villain that has made critics cry. Freeman brings with him a hint of the unique Bilbo mix of vulnerability and courage, plus a sprinkle of craziness. The four main supports, from two generations, are solid: Nyong'o, Gurira, Bassett, Whitaker. And it is good to see, once in a while, Serkis as neither an ape of a degenerated Hobbit.
Many critics mention the political statement, which is loud and clear: survival with inclusion; and annihilation with isolation. Although it happens to be very relevant currently, this is not new to someone who is familiar with the great "Foundation" series of the late Isaac Asimov where the concept does not only encompass the Earth, but our entire Universe (there are billions of other universes that are potential threats to our existence).