(some Spolier Alerts)
i really liked Black Panther - i'd give an 8.0 of out 10.
i thought Black Panther was more story-driven than even action-driven. And had been much of what i expected, very colorful cinematography, costumes,very African eccentric,..
my 2 greatest moments in this film:
1) I was really wowed by the Black Panthers new armored costume, the purple look and the new abilities it gave him.
2) and the car chase scene was truly awesome !
Wish the final battle with BP vs Kilmonger could have been more classic and memorable , i did think it was new and clever for BP be based on Civil War. that's a new and fresh in superhero films. During his 2nd experience with the herb and covered over ( snow this time) i enjoyed T'Challa's deep confrontation with his beloved father to even tell him of his wrongdoing and backward self -righteous way of neglect. (abandoned young Killmonger) among the more emotional moments of the film.
i do admit that i was quite surprised by T'Challa's defeat in a ritual challenge by Killmonger (T'Challa's cousin) i had thought (Jordan) had to have been 'drugged/doped up to have singlehandledly beaten T'Challa in hand to hand combat. But nothing became of that.
I liked both villains Claw and Killmonger. Klaw even brought a wacky good sense of humor. sometimes a failure of some superhero films is the lack of appeal of the villains, that's certainly not the case here. i was surprised by Klaw's demise since his character in comics would emerge as a being of solidified living sound. So he won't surprisingly return as such ?
Very good action sequences - from BP opening fight in the jungle vs kidnapping extremists where he jumps from an aircraft, immediately puts me in the mind of Winter Soldier where Capt America his own jump to a boat (and eventually fighting Batroc.)....the big showdown vs Klaw in an Korean casino showdown, , the aforementioned fantastic car chase scenes, (reminded me much like the Matrix speedy highway chase) the ritual challenges battles with Killmonger and Maku, the finale vs Killmonger and W' Kabi (Okoye's love interest?)
And then there's the Wakanda technology and weaponry. force-field shields, spears that possess such force that they can 'stop an armed truck'. and from both speedy bulletproof sports cars and fighting air-jets that can be triggered from a technology laboratory.
and with the fight scenes, i was oh so grateful not to see the annoying shaky-jumping camera work (see Civil War)
i wasn't as big a fan of the rampaging rhinoes as that just didn't excite with suspense,even the most speedy of action course the camera work was steady enough.
but i didn't always get a great feeling or liking for CIA agent Edward Ross whether serious or humorous.
i liked the dream memory drift back with anyone who drinks heart shaped herb and covered by the Red Sand.
Thought TChalla sister Shurik ' was a hilarious stand out humorous side of the film. Surprisingly ditto for M' Baku as well. Also liked "Okoye, T'Challa's trusted personal bodyguard. i thought she was the Wakanda's version of Asgard's Valkeryies.
maybe i am expecting too much from the Peter parker/mary jane connections, but i did not get a strong enough vibe between T'Challa and Nakia as love interests until the very final moments of the film. But unlike the Mary janes and Lois Lanes, i did like that Nakia could fend for herself.
Overall well done work by director Ryan Coogler, i''ve seen in the past where poor choice directors flat ruin a superhero potentials. (see ghost rider, fantastic four, elektra, etc. )
and the african lingo and accent was never overbearing, overpowering and mumbled speech and wording was still very clear and easily understandable.
i'll probably think and recall more later and re-edit this more so. but this was getting started and off my chest initially.
