Black Panther

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BLACK PANTHER (2018)

Strap yourself in, we’re going on quite the journey.

Growing up I was obsessed with Tim Burton’s ‘Batman Returns’. I thought it was the best film ever made. I naturally assumed it won the Oscar for Best Picture and that Michelle Pfeiffer and Danny DeVito collected well deserved Oscars for their terrific performances. Imagine my utter astonishment when I discovered that not only did the aforementioned NOT win Oscars, not only were they NOT nominated for an Oscar, but that the Academy simply DOES NOT recognise Superhero movies.

Oh.

Childhood over.

This confusion lasted several years, so much so that its led to me creating false memories; Just now I had to double check that Jack Nicholson wasn’t nominated for playing the Joker in Burton’s ‘Batman’ (WHAT?!).

I didn’t spend too much time ruminating about this revolting error in the Academy’s judgement, I just went along with the notion that that’s just the way it is. Christopher Walken wins for ‘The Deer Hunter’ but not for playing Max Shreck. Ok. If that’s the way it is, fine.

Cut to 2008 and Christopher Nolan’s Batman Bandwagon is full to capacity and steamrolling ahead. Before his untimely death Heath Ledger delivers what we can all agree is a sensational performance as Joker in ‘The Dark Knight’.

And then he’s posthumously nominated and wins the Oscar for Best Support. And this is when I start to lick my gums.

Not because I disagree that he deserves to win an Oscar but because the Academy conveniently decide to change their rules to stand shoulder to shoulder with the zeitgeist. We all know that annoying colleague don’t we?

Oh NOW you recognise Comic Book performances? Now that the actor is dead and won’t be nominated ever again you decide to claim ownership on his performance for the Oscar canon. Well I object!

Which brings me to ‘Black Panther’. Is it a good Superhero film? Undoubtedly. Does it deserve to break the mould and be included in the Best Picture field? No.

Look, if I’ve had to grin and bear it while X2, Spider-Man 2 and Thor: Ragnarok have been cruelly neglected then so can everyone else.

But I have to play the cards I’ve been dealt. So on with the review.

10 years into the Marvel Extended Universe and you can go into these films feeling assured that you’re in good hands. And Ryan Coogler is a master. His Wakanda is gorgeous and the inhabitants are as strikingly beautiful as it’s waterfalls. Each character gets stronger than the last; Chadwick Boseman’s T’challa/Black Panther is commanding yet charming and Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger is cool yet menacing. But for me it’s Danai Gurira’s Okoye who dominates. As T’challa’s Right-Hand Woman she steals every scene. I can’t take my eyes off this enchanting warrior. If we’re throwing noms about they could’ve done worse than nominate her and Jordan in support.

Black Panther is a strong origin film and I look forward to what will surely be a superior sequel. Like Batman Returns.

8 Gum Licking Thumbs Up!

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