The Reality of Black Panther: Going Beyond the Hype

Many have been leaving scathing reviews for Black Panther, a film that they believe fails to live up to its massive hype. But is the movie truly as bad as some would make it out to be? Let's delve into the pros and cons and uncover why it might not deserve all the high praise.

What’s Good About Black Panther

There are a few elements that stand out as notable in Black Panther. The action scenes and direction are commendable, sufficient to keep the viewer engaged without any overly flashy or contrived moments. The visual effects are top-notch, contributing to a visually stunning experience. However, while the technical components are solid, they don't rise to the level of excellence often associated with Marvel films.

What’s Bad About Black Panther

The issues begin when the film takes focus away from the action scenes. The storyline, while not terrible, follows a more conventional path that feels reminiscent of The Lion King. Critics argue that the plot lacks the innovation and excitement that fans have come to expect from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Another striking criticism is the film's length. At over two hours and twenty minutes, Black Panther feels quite long, and could have benefited from a more concise runtime. Marvel, like many big-budget productions, often feels compelled to stick to a predetermined length, which might not always serve the story's best interest.

The cast is undoubtedly talented, with Ryan Coogler directing and Michael B. Jordan as the antagonist. However, despite the star power, the performances often feel shallow and underutilized. The humor in the film is forced and falls short of the standards typically set by Marvel movies.

Overall, while the movie provides solid entertainment, it does not live up to the high expectations set by films like Fruitvale Station. Coogler and Jordan, both with impressive backgrounds, bring their share of talent, but the film itself doesn’t fully capitalize on their contributions.

Why All the Positive Reviews?

Despite the critiques, many reviewers and fans are still giving Black Panther high praise. There are a few reasons for this.

First, Black Panther is the first all-African American cast film produced by a major Hollywood studio. This is a breakthrough for diversity and representation, a significant achievement in the industry. Secondly, as one of the few significant releases in a tight competition during February, it dominated box offices, a fact that many are quick to highlight. However, the film’s success in February may not be the strongest indicator of its overall quality.

No doubt, Black Panther has set new benchmarks for representation in pop culture. However, its success in the box office alone cannot make up for the shortcomings in the film's narrative and execution. Ultimately, while it is a good movie and easily one of the better MCU movies of its phase, it doesn’t quite warrant all the glowing reviews.

To summarize, is Black Panther entertaining? Yes, it is. Does it deserve all the amazing reviews? No, it does not. Despite the challenges it faces, it is a worthy entry in the MCU, but it could have been even better with more focused storytelling and character development.

Conclusion

Black Panther is a movie that lives up to its hype, a testament to the power of a strong cast and high action scenes. While it may not be considered a top-tier Marvel film, it still stands as a significant achievement in representation and storytelling. However, to truly justify all the accolades, the film could have been more than just a spectacle, offering deeper narratives and character arcs that resonate more deeply with audiences.