Release: October 20, 2017
Rating: PG-13
Production Company: Di Bonaventura Pictures, Black Label Media
Director: Joseph Kosinski
My Rating: 8/10
Themes: Brotherhood, Sacrifice, Guilt, Redemption
Content or Trigger Warnings: Scary fires, lots of tears
I'm not going to give too much away about the plot of this movie since I think it's best viewed if you don't know what is around the corner. That said, it was really good and I'll probably watch it again soon. I'm always a sucker for 'true stories' about brave men and women, and this one does not disappoint.
The ensemble cast is amazing, with special acclaim to Josh Brolin, Jennifer Connelly, Jeff Bridges, Taylor Kitsch, and Miles Teller. The chemistry felt effortless and the writing and portrayals felt organic and real. It was not hard to evoke emotion from the audience with such capable actors stepping into those characters.
At times funny, at times deeply sad, this movie is a movie about heroes, sacrifice and redemption that never feels like it is trying too hard. The story isn't forced. The heroism isn't forced. It just is. For that reason, it allows you to be a part of these people's lives and, in the end, deeply feel the emotions of their loved ones. There are many side stories that highlight and enrich the material, and never detract. That's a sign of a good script.
For an occupation that is incredibly dangerous and rarely talked about, i think this movie does the profession justice. I think it does the men from Granite Mountain Hotshots justice. It's one I'll recommend to others.
Release: February 16, 2018
Rating: PG-13
Production Company: Marvel Studios
Director: Ryan Coogler
My Rating: 8.5/10
Themes: Racism, Technology, Colonization, Family, Vendetta
Content or Trigger Warnings: My 4 year old wasn't traumatized, neither will you be.
First and foremost, Black Panther is a kick ass Superhero movie. I'm not Superhero expert. I like most of the Marvel movies. I liked the Nolan Batman movies. I liked Wonder Woman, but as far as knowing the lore and getting extraordinarily hyped for comic book movies, that's just not me. That said, this is a really damn good one.
I caution anyone attending this movie expecting it to be the best movie of all time to remember that it is a Superhero movie. It is one through and through and it doesn't make itself anything different. What transcends the genre for Black Panther is how well it does what it means to do. That is, it is a film by people of color for people of color. White people, like me, are along for the ride, and what a ride it is. Every scene of this movie is filled with fleshed out characters, deliberate costuming and scene choices, and writing that makes it clear this is a revolution in how representation in Hollywood should go down.
Ryan Coogler who has not yet made a bad film doesn't tarnish his record here. Not only revolutionary, not only watchable, this film takes you from laughter to tears which is not easy to do in its genre. Shuri's (played by Letitia Wright) 'Don't scare my like that, colonizer,' had me rolling in my seat. While, Killmonger's (played by Michael B Jordan) parting words about his ancestors who were slaves flinging themselves from ships because 'they knew death was better than bondage' brought literal tears to my eyes.
One of the most exciting things about the movie is Wakanda which seems like a little bit of heaven on earth. Beautiful and filled with unique tribes that live in harmony - yes, even the obnoxious libertarian equivalents living in the mountains. The tech in this movie is so cool and I just want to learn so much more about it. The question of Wakanda's moral responsibility to the rest of the world, especially people of color, is only heightened by the clear level of technological advancement of this small society.
One can't talk about this movie without also highlighting how absolutely kick ass the women in this film are. They aren't strong because they've been through hell and back. They aren't strong because of a man or being put into peril. They are strong. Full stop. They are strong of mind, body, and spirit. These are not women you save. These are women who save themselves. It is of rare to get such representation, especially for women of color. Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o, and Danai Gurira are so perfectly cast it's hard to imagine anyone else playing the roles. They are brilliant and diverse and I hope they give a generation of girls something to look up to. I know I want to be like them when I grow up.
Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther is nuanced and relatable but Michael B Jordan almost steals the show being one of the most relatable villains in the Marvel Universe to date. Though Killmonger has let his righteous indignation turn to hate and vengeance his indignation is, righteous. He has every right to be pissed, even if his anger might be misplaced. Jordan is so relatable you aren't really rooting for him to lose, even though you don't want him to win either. I say he almost steals the show because, personally, I think the man who stole the show was Wintson Duke, who played M'Baku, the leader of the mountain tribe. He is hilarious and somehow manages to be huge, scary, and huggable at the same time. I'm in love.
If you have not seen the movie, see it. Don't expect an Oscar movie. But expect a really good superhero movie that you'll want to see again.
