Full disclosure, I'm no fan of the ever-growing Marvel Cinematic
Universe. I've seen Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers and only a
part of Iron Man 3, and each of them managed to rub me the wrong way by feeling
completely cheap and uncinematic. By uncinematic, I mean that they feature dull CGI and visuals - visuals you might catch on a TV show... in the '90s. So, Marvel drawing me in to see Black Panther
is an impressive feat all by itself, and, as advertised, it is cinematic. Rich cinematography?
What a concept! However, the CGI is still lacking in some spots.
Without a doubt, Black Panther is an event, showcasing a
mostly black cast as heroes who are repping their homeland. I think it's
wonderful that Hollywood is finally realizing that women and people of color
can lead blockbuster films, and Black Panther is proving to be quite a
blockbuster! Unfortunately, Black Panther is still trapped by the confines of
the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the plot has more depth and character
development than most Marvel films, it still doesn't break any new ground. In a world oversaturated with superhero movies, it's just another superhero movie. It doesn't help that the
story feels like a mixture of The Lion King and James Bond - the fight in the
casino is lifted straight from Skyfall, right down to the lighting. It's obvious that Black
Panther desperately wants to be its own beast, and at times it does roar, but
then the chains around its collar start to rattle.
