Black Panther, baby!

[amberdreams]

Went this morning and it didn't disappoint! I'd only heard people singing its praises which always worries me, but my expectations were met, so yay! Wakanda Forever.

Seriously though, I was pretty tense all the way through. I loved the twisty turny plotting, and LOVED all the kickass women, and that they were just there in a matter of fact way, no big deal, doing their kickass thing. The General was awesome and I thought her fighting scene in that James Bond-like gambling joint in Thailand(?) was spectacular. Was that the same set they used in a recent Bond? It certainly looked very similar! Other great touches - the African themed design in the cool spaceship/plane thingy, the costumes, the set designs (loved the lab!), and the cool purple light effects they used for T'Challa's Panther suit and the flower heart potion effects..

For an ensemble cast, I thought they did brilliantly at giving 90% of the characters enough depth to make them interesting. I really liked that the humour in the characters wasn't at their expense - the mountain chief guy had some great lines and was really funny, without ever losing his dignity or fearsomeness, which isn't always the case with these kind of films.

Spoilers ahoy
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So I understand why they lost Andy Serkis's whatshisname baddie earlyish in the story, but he was so brilliantly unhinged, I'd have loved more of him. I was so sad the tall handsome nephew ended up unredeemed - he was not only very pretty but I wanted the character to realise that life held more than vengeance and bloodshed, and he never gave himself the chance to find out.

AND WHAT IS BUCKY DOING IN WAKANDA???? OOOOOH!!!

Comments

[sandy79.livejournal.com]

Haven't seen the movie (yet, will probably wait for the DVD release), so I can't say anything about certain aspects you mention, but:

a) Ulysses Klause (Andy Serkis' character) is also in "Avengers: Age of Ultron", so you might want to check that one out

b) Bucky is in Wakanda since the end of "Civil War", getting a fix for both his mind and body (most likely by T'Challa's sister Shuri, from what I could gather from pics, the Infinity War trailers and a video of his post-credit scene)

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Oh! NOW I remember them taking Bucky to Wakanda at the end of Civil War! I really need to rewatch that one (clearly - doh). Age of Ultron is probably my least fave of the whole bunch so far and I never rewatched it either, so my memory of anything from that one is rather sketchy. Hey ho, evidently I need to rewatch it now though, and definitely before Infinity comes out.

[harrigan.livejournal.com]

"Tall, handsome nephew..." (Killmonger) -- he was amazing! (I love that actor Michael B. Jordan in everything he does.) Actually, I was surprisingly okay with his last scene -- he was a fully developed, multi-dimensional character with understandable motivations and I thought what happened with him was believable and poignant. That's a lot more than I've come to expect from superhero antagonists.

But those kickass! women were the reason I so totally *loved* this movie!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I thought it was a powerful ending for Killmonger - just powerfully sad, you know? *sniff*

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

I saw this last night with my brother and loved it - especially all the kick ass women!!! Yes the tall hansome nepthew's death was sad, and I was hoping the'd heal him too, but hey, he was a strong character and this fit him well I think (and damn, Sterling Brown is everywhere I look at the mo!!! Oh Gordon - how I miss you!)

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Ha ha I wanted much more Sterling too! He's so good!

[kuwlshadow.livejournal.com]

Haven't seen it yet but hope so soon. I was hoping my son would come with me but looks like I'll be going alone. o.O

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

Not reading as I've not had chance to see it yet, but I am super pleased you enjoyed it!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Oh no, don't get spoiled! But do go as soon as you get a chance, you'll LOVE it, I'm sure.

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

No, exactly, but lack of funds and time have meant no visits to the cinema for me. I may end up having to wait until it comes out on Sky Heroes *pouts*

[fannishliss.livejournal.com]

I loved Tall Handsome Nephew but I think they are first cousins? His dad was T'Chaka's brother? I loved Black Panther, but there was one problem that I had to complain about, which was the unrealistic abandoning by the King of His Own Brother (as well as Erik, which btw means Prince in norse).... killing him you could almost understand, but leaving him there without a word, without a funeral, and without taking care of the son???? that doesn't fly for me.

The rest of the movie was great though. The acting was all superb, including Killmonger. I really wanted him to survive and be redeemed. But they did reveal as they went on that he was damaged very badly but so many aspects of his life. I do believe everyone is capable of redemption. It's not okay to kill someone just because you might be looking over your shoulder. But he chose his death over captivity... so in a way it was his choice.

I love the ladies, especially the General and Shuri! they are the BEST.