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After what felt like years of buildup, Black Panther finally premiered in Hollywood last night, January 29. And judging by the reactions on Twitter, it was more than worth the wait. Find out what critics have to say about the movie, which some are calling the “best Marvel film ever.”
Starring Chadwick Boseman as King T’Challa of Wakanda (AKA Black Panther), Michael B. Jordan as Eric Killmonger, Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, and Danai Gurira as Okoye — among many, many other incredible actors — the Ryan Coogler-directed film is receiving amazingly high praise from almost all who have seen it, including those whose job it is to critique movies.
Mashable‘s movie reporter Angie J. Han had nothing but great things to say, tweeting, “#BlackPanther: I never wanted this movie to end, and as soon as it did I wanted to go back. Solid action, smart story, tons of personality. Shuri is my new fave, Nakia is everything, Killmonger is incredible, T’Challa deserves to rule the MCU. Coogler has done it again.”
#BlackPanther: I never wanted this movie to end, and as soon as it did I wanted to go back. Solid action, smart story, tons of personality. Shuri is my new fave, Nakia is everything, Killmonger is incredible, T'Challa deserves to rule the MCU. Coogler has done it again. 💜🖤💙 pic.twitter.com/t9gG3DLuCL
— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) January 30, 2018
Jamie Broadnax, editor-in-chief of Black Girl Nerds, loved pretty much everything about the film — “excellent special effects, compelling story line, brilliant performances!” — and said that it “will go down in history as Marvel’s best!”
Yes this will be the Blackest movie of all time! Excellent special effects, compelling story line, brilliant performances! This will go down in history as Marvel’s best! #BlackPanther #BlackPantherSoLIT
— Jamie “Is February 16 2018 Here Yet?” Broadnax (@JamieBroadnax) January 30, 2018
The Wrap‘s film reporter Umberto Gonzalez was similarly struck, saying, “I think the argument can be made for #BlackPanther being the best Marvel film ever! Just got out of premiere & overwhelmed at the imagery, the majesty & a film that elevates the superhero genre to new heights.”
I think the argument can be made for #BlackPanther being the best Marvel film ever! Just got out of premiere & overwhelmed at the imagery, the majesty, & a film that elevates the superhero genre to new heights. pic.twitter.com/LSkWEconB4
— Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) January 30, 2018
Uproxx senior entertainment writer Mike Ryan said, “BLACK PANTHER is not screwing around. By far the most political Marvel chapter, to the point I had to remind myself this is a Marvel movie. BLACK PANTHER is a movie with a lot to say. Also, Michael B. Jordan … damn.”
BLACK PANTHER is not screwing around. By far the most political Marvel chapter, to the point I had to remind myself this is a Marvel movie. BLACK PANTHER is a movie with a lot to say.
Also, Michael B. Jordan … damn
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) January 30, 2018
The Los Angeles Times’ Jen Yamato furthered that point, saying, “BLACK PANTHER is incredible, kinetic, purposeful. A superhero movie about why representation & identity matters, and how tragic it is when those things are denied to people. The 1st MCU movie about something real; Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger had me weeping and he’s the VILLAIN.”
BLACK PANTHER is incredible, kinetic, purposeful. A superhero movie about why representation & identity matters, and how tragic it is when those things are denied to people. The 1st MCU movie about something real; Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger had me weeping and he’s the VILLAIN
— jen yamato (@jenyamato) January 30, 2018
And the praise just keeps coming.
ReBecca Theodore-Vachon, contributor to Entertainment Weekly, Forbes, and Roger Ebert (among others):
Shuri, played by @letitiawright, is absolutely delightful. I love that Shuri is so at ease with her brilliance and genius. And her scenes with T'Challa are so funny! #BlackPanther pic.twitter.com/Rch7LfSlqM
— ReBecca Theodore-Vachon (@FilmFatale_NYC) January 30, 2018
Jason Guerrasio, senior entertainment reporter at Business Insider:
BLACK PANTHER is the most spiritual Marvel movie yet! Family and heritage is a big part of the story — there are moments in this movie that get real deep. Danai Gurira is a scene-stealer and the movie elevates whenever Michael B. Jordan shows up. #BlackPanther pic.twitter.com/KIxiAItnEY
— Jason Guerrasio (@JasonGuerrasio) January 30, 2018
Steven Weintraub, editor-in-chief of Collider.com:
#marvel does it again with 'Black Panther'. Very impressed with the story and filmmaking. @michaelb4jordan absolutely kills it as the villain and is the best one since Loki. Also @DanaiGurira kicks so much ass and I loved every second of it. Going to make serious $. pic.twitter.com/YBrg2x3Nnz
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) January 30, 2018
Something else I love about 'Black Panther' is Ryan Coogler found an organic way to talk about important real world issues without it feeling preachy or fake. That's hard to do in any movie but to make it work in a big #Marvel movie is even more impressive. #LongLiveTheking pic.twitter.com/lHHicc1Mxw
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) January 30, 2018
Peter Sciretta, owner and editor of Slash Film:
Ryan Coogler knocked it out of the park, some great sequences presented in a “single take/shot.” If this movie isn’t nominated for costume, art and production design awards next year, I would be seriously shocked. #blackpanther
— Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) January 30, 2018
Eric Kohn, deputy editor and chief critic for IndieWire:
#BlackPanther is riveting on many levels: visually astonishing, but more importantly, so unpredictable. Incredible to watch a major blockbuster celebrate blackness while exploring its relationship to various facets of pop culture. “Stop scaring me,” colonizer!” #wakanda4ever
— erickohn (@erickohn) January 30, 2018
Kate Erbland, film editor for IndieWire:
BLACK PANTHER feels like the actual start of a new phase for Marvel, not only because it exists so well on its own terms, but because it feels so new and timely, through both its storytelling and the very people the story is about (and those who get to tell it). Wonderful.
— Kate Erbland (@katerbland) January 30, 2018
We can only hope this means the beginning of amazing new things for Marvel and inclusivity in superhero movies.
Check out the Black Panther trailer below, and get a glimpse at what everyone is so excited about. You’ll be able to see all of the amazing action when the film hits theaters on February 16.
Are you excited to see Marvel’s new Black Panther movie? Let us know @BritandCo!
(photo via Marvel Studios)
