The Marvel Cinematic Universe is growing up and presents their best film yet.
T'Challa, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king.
Marvel has always had a plot problem, but for once it’s actually the action sequences lacking. The dialogue, plot and character development are excellent. We see real growth across all our leads and the cast are incredible. Chadwick Boseman gets an excellent opportunity to prove himself as a superhero and his performance is excellent. Lupita Nyong’o and Danai Gurira are also both excellent, as is Sterling K. Brown (who is criminally under-utilised). Forest Whitaker unfortunately overacts to the point of taking you out of the film, but his role is very small. Michael B. Jordan is a good villain - his plot is well written, but his action sequence performances are lacking. Andy Serkis steals every scene he’s in and I only wish he had more screen time. Letitia Wright is also a standout newcomer and I can’t wait to see her character grow.
Director/co-writer Ryan Coogler has assembled an incredible crew with an excellent score and cinematography. The script also doesn’t shy away from killing characters and dealing with racial issues.
Overall the best film in Marvel’s catalogue.
4.5 Stars
Review by Benjamin Maio Mackay
Screening courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures