As Marvel’s Phase 3 reaches it’s halfway point it seems that the more recent batch of films have greatly improved from the early few in the phase beginning with Captain America: Civil War. From Doctor Strange onward the MCU’s third phase has been quality film after quality film and Black Panther as it stands is easily Marvel’s best stand alone installation to date, which I thought previous title holder Thor: Ragnarok was tough to beat, Starring Chadwick Boseman as the titular lead and Michael B. Jordan as antagonist Erik “Killmonger” Stevens, Black Panther is about the story of T’Challa; the current Prince of Wakanda set to be crowned King. Having previously worked with Tony Stark and the Avengers, T’Challa is still reluctant to be a bigger part of the world, however Killmonger wants to use Wakanda’s powerful vibranium technology to liberate Africans across the world like his father N’Jobu before him.

Black Panther is a 2018 afrofuturistic superhero film based on the Marvel comics of the same name, it is produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. It’s currently in it’s theatrical run across America.

Editor’s Note: This review for Black Panther may contain near complete to complete spoilers for Black Panther (and potentially comic storyline spoilers).

Marvel’s new king.

Having made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, the Black Panther receives his first solo project. Taking place sometime after the events of the previous film, T’Challa has been crowned King of home country Wakanda and as a result is the current Black Panther; protector of Africa. As T’Challa deals with his reign as Wakanda King, he is challenged with the thoughts of sharing it’s technology with the world. Villain Killmonger however, plans to take T’Challa’s crown and use Wakandan technology for war purposes.

Michael B. Jordan steals the show as understandable villain Killmonger.

THE GOOD: First let’s get the obvious out of the way. Casting performances from pretty much everyone involved was absolutely astounding. It feels like each time both Michael B. Jordan and Chadwick Boseman get on screen they get better and better with each performance. Having said that other cast members such as Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, and Forest Whitaker to name a few stood out the most. In regards to Nyong’o every time she shared the screen with Boseman the relationship between T’Challa and Nakia felt more and more believable. The two had a real dynamic even with the somewhat limited amount of time spent together throughout the film’s run.

A new Marvel masterpiece has been unleashed.

Moving on to Black Panther’s world building director Ryan Coogler’s vision is just jaw dropping. From the first full on reveal of Wakanda, to showing off the country’s unique technology Coogler had a painted a puzzle and knew where each piece needed to be placed. For too long has it felt like Hollywood’s representation of Africa in film was nothing more of a shoehorned attempt at an idea of what the country would look like in reality from a person’s stereotypical imaginations. Black Panther fixes this with a far more modern and fully realized take on African countries and cultures and as an African American I couldn’t be prouder of this. Visuals weren’t the only thing which brought Black Panther’s Africa to life. It’s original score also helps mold and shape every scene which featured one of it’s soundtracks. Composer Ludwig Goransson’s ear for the sounds of Africa resonated beautifully with Ryan Coogler’s world.

Take notes Hollywood, Black Panther’s Africa is real Africa.

Black Panther’s story about a King trying to do what’s best for his people while also considering it’s future, even if that means involving his country with the rest of the world is a well-written one and T’Challa’s humble nature feels like something we haven’t really seen from the MCU. Most of the heroes thus have either wanted to kick ass or make some some witty quip, but T’Challa is a selfless man who wants nothing more what’s truly best for the people of Wakanda. Killmonger’s character is probably the most enjoyable of any I’ve experienced from an MCU villain unless of course Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin counts. He’s a young man who’s entire life was surrounded by violence and used violence as a weapon to accomplish his goals. It’s sort of poetic that Killmonger’s end goal of uniting his people across the globe was somewhat met through T’Challa who had been struggling with such an issue of unity between his people and others outside of Wakanda. The two journeys T’Challa and Erik shared while different, were so easily comparable to each other and it was the emotional heart and soul of the film.

Marvel’s Cinematic Universe no longer has a villain problem.

THE BAD:  Besides wanting more absolutely nothing.

Black Panther isn’t just the current king of Marvel films, it’s one of the best damn films you’ll ever see period.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Go see Black Panther, it doesn’t matter what race or ethnicity or background you come from. This film will find a way to sneak itself into your heart and tug at your emotions with every passing scene. Brilliant cast performances from all sides, a visual marvel (no pun intended), and the sound to match Black Panther will bring joy to many especially fans who’ve grown tired of the general Marvel formula and it’s worthy of a second watch and many more after that when it hits DVD and Blu-Ray later this year. Otaku Dome gives Black Panther a 100 out of 100.