The Ripples of Black Panther

Srishti Agarwal, Class of 2019

(Spoiler warning for the links: they analyse the movie more extensively)

Another grand Marvel venture, and one of their most successful yet. With lower estimates predicting a gross of over one billion US dollars worldwide, Black Panther seems to be breaking all myths about ‘black films not travelling’. At its heart, this movie is a simple endeavour in superhero storytelling, because the crux of the story is a Lion King-esqe origin story. Black Panther is about T’Challa’s claim to the throne of the fictional province of Wakanda after the unexpected death of his father. On this quest with him are his ex-girlfriend, a very Nala-like Nakia; a Sarabi-like Queen Mother; and, as a spiritual guide, a Rafiki-like Zuri. Seriously, some of the parallels are uncanny.

The simple basis that forms the plot line is but a scratch on the surface of what the movie brings to the table. The story is complicated by questions of loyalty and belonging, making the turmoils for the throne much more powerful. The setting of Wakanda, constructed by stunning visual effects that only Marvel Studios can have the budget for, creates a sense of awe and bewilderment in the audience. The appealing natural scenery is contrasted with, and yet complemented by, the high-tech cityscape. These elements lie on a foundation of beautifully written, strong, and empathy-evoking characters, who are crucial to and inextricable from the story. From the brilliant Shuri (who all of Tumblr has sworn to stan forever) to the ‘villain’, Killmonger (who truly is the hero of his own story), these characters build the narrative of the movie. The multifaceted relationships that develop between them are captivating because of how natural and well-crafted they are. To me, Shuri and T’Challa’s banter made their relationship one of the best sibling relationships in superhero movie history. I could honestly keep talking about the characters — the varied definitions of loyalty they represent, the ways in which they grow in the span of 135 minutes, and more.

Also, Okoye using her wig as a weapon was everything.

I find myself at a loss when it comes to praising the movie for the culturally sensitive depictions it has received so much attention for, simply because I lack knowledge about the issues. Despite this, I am in constant awe of the conversations the movie has given rise to; the ways in which this movie is resonating with people is astounding. For example, this Twitter thread, contains truly heartwarming stories of people reaching out to buy tickets to the movie for those who can’t afford to see it, because representation matters. This movie gets many things wonderfully right, especially in its depiction of strong women. All the women in the film are strong characters in their own rights, just as they are in real life. Whether it is through the portrayal of Shuri’s ability as a scientist, or Okoye’s capabilities as a General, this movie definitely passes the Bechdel Test and more.

I have witnessed this movie spark serious conversations even in a place that seems so removed from these situations. For example, this (kind of problematic) political analysis of the ways in which Wakanda has manifested in Asia, and the consequences of the actions that are taken by those who sit on these thrones offers an interesting perspective.

There are a few things that people seem to dislike about the movie that make for extremely interesting and insightful discussions. The fact that the only main character who was shown to be African-American was the main villain, didn’t sit well with a lot of people. This revived a lot of discussion surrounding the diasporic existence of being African-American and how T’Challa represents a privilege that they don’t have; Chadwick Boseman, who plays T’Challa, acknowledged this issue. But, in a lot of ways the identification with Killmonger that is caused by his position as an African-American is where the complexities of the political ideology presented by the film come from. Some white Americans reported being attacked at Black Panther screenings, a claim quickly debunked by extensive research. This kind of trolling, while not unexpected, generated unnecessary negativity.

While I can’t say that the movie impacted me as profoundly as it did others, I really enjoyed Black Panther: both as a superhero movie and a politically-charged conversation. It’s definitely a movie that leaves an impression, in terms of proving the power of representation, as well as in taking forward diversity in phase four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (beginning 2019). Moreover, it serves as a reminder for how superhero movies create role models you can look up to — especially when they look like you.