Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Film Review

Directed by George C. Wolfe

Starring: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Colman Domingo

Rated R for language, some sexual content and brief violence

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a new Netflix directed by George C. Wolfe. Based on the play by August Wilson, the film centers legendary blues singer Ma Rainey and a recording session. Tensions boil over with Ma’s diva attitude and disagreements with trumpeter Levee (played by Chadwick Boseman) on how songs should be sung.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a film that heavily relies on dialogue. The film itself feels like it is a play being filmed with excellent sets. As the film is based on the play by August Wilson, it does not make any secret this is a dialogue driven film. A good majority of the film is dialogue driven and it does it very well. The film doesn’t drag down a bit with the dialogue heavy scenes and actually keeps the audience engaged. The conversations are realistic and sometimes feature intriguing stories that give some context on where characters come from.

While Viola Davis is the top billing and her character being the name of the film, this film actually belongs to the late Chadwick Boseman. In his final role, Boseman plays a trumpeter who is wanting to start his own band and make his own music. But for now he has to play a backup role to the legendary singer Ma Rainey. Boseman steals every scene he is in, which is almost all of them, and commands his presence. At first, he is child like and likes to joke around. But as the film progresses, we learn more about the character. We learn about his childhood and his beliefs. As the film gets closer to the end, we see a man who is somehow broken inside. Boseman not only gives his final performance but also his best. It’s very unfortunate his sudden passing this past summer means we will no longer see Boseman in future roles.

However, Viola Davis is also fantastic as Ma Rainey. Ma Rainey acts as a diva as she is on her own time and gets whatever she wants. In the beginning of the film, we seem a bit indifferent towards Ma Rainey’s attitude. But towards the middle of the film, we understand why she acts the way she does. She knows she is being used for her voice and will take advantage of any opportunity that is presented to her. Davis brilliantly portrays Ma Rainey and makes us sympathetic for her character, despite how she acts. While Ma Rainey’s name is on the title of the film, she is not the main star of the film. She is not properly introduced until thirty minutes into the film. When she is in the film, she takes the backseat to the film and is not featured prominently. If Davis was less of a supporting role and was featured as much as Boseman was, then she would easily be the best performance in the film.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is an interesting look at the legendary blues singer. While not a biopic and only highlights a few hours in a recording studio, the film does a tremendous task of showcasing Ma Rainey and her actions and why her she does what she does. Boseman is the star of the show and steals every scene he is present in. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a film with powerhouse performances from all actors who bring August Wilson’s brilliant words to the big screen.

3.5/4

Mank Film Review

Directed by David Fincher

Starring: Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins

Rated R for some language

Mank is a Netflix film directed by David Fincher. Mank tells the story of screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz (played by Gary Oldman) and the period in which he wrote the screenplay Citizen Kane. Set in the 1940’s, Mank not only tells the story of how Herman Mankiewicz wrote the legendary screenplay, but also his encounters with Hollywood legends such as Orson Wells (played by Tom Burke) and Louis B. Mayer (played by Arliss Howard).

When you come to a film like Mank, you expect powerhouse performances and the film delivers. Gary Oldman as Mank is fantastic and delivers a strong performance. It is one of his memorable performance as throughout the film he acts like a drunk. He interacts well with everyone he encounters, with one lone exception that will be explained later. The scenes featuring Mank interacting with Mayer, William Randolph Hearst (played by Charles Dance), and Marion Davies (played by Amanda Seyfried) are not only well done but well acted. In particular, the scene in which Mank drunkenly describes the idea of writing Citizen Kane. While all the actors in the film are fantastic, I can see Gary Oldman and Amanda Seyfried getting Oscar nominations.

As the film is set in the 1930/40’s, director David Fincher not only makes the film feel like it is the 1930/40’s with its production designs, but the way the film is filmed. The film is black and white, but the film feels like it was made with a camera from this era. There are moments in the film in which the film gets a bit a grainy, like older films would. Cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt succeeds in making the film feel like it is a product of the golden age of Hollywood. Messerschmidt does not use large fancy lights that are commonly used in other films. Instead, he relies on natural lights, such as candles or a lightbulb, to light a scene.

The screenplay was written by David Fincher’s now deceased father, Jack Fincher. The screenplay was written in the 90’s but the film did not come into fruition until now. While the screenplay was written in the 90’s, it still feels very relevant to today. A large chunk of the film features the discussion of politics, in particular the gubernatorial election of 1934 in California. The election included Upton Sinclair, a Democratic socialists who would like to end poverty. The political discussions in the film are not just relevant to 1934, but are relevant to today. The film poses the question of should Hollywood play a role in politics? There are Hollywood major players who not only support a candidate but push out propaganda that can influence the average moviegoer.

Mank is a fantastic film with some exceptions. First, Charles Dance as William Randolph Hearst is not featured in the film too much. While his character does not play a major role in the story, he was still a fascinating character which I would like to see more of. Also, I mentioned that Gary Oldman interacted well with all his fellow actors with a lone exception. That lone exception is Rita (played by Lily Collins), Mank’s secretary. While I won’t fault Lily Collins for this, her character is just forgettable. She doesn’t stand out as she doesn’t have a memorable line or scene. The only memorable thing about her is that her partner is presumed to be missing in action during World War II. This is quickly resolved towards the end of the film, but it felt pointless. This was more than likely added to give the character sympathy for not only watching over Mank but also worrying about her partner possibly being dead. I can appreciate what Jack Fincher tried to do here, unfortunately it falls flat.

Overall, Mank is a fine film that has a lot to offer. The outstanding performances, camera work, and screenplay are not only very distinct, but grab the viewer’s attention and commands their attention. While this film will not be everyone’s cup of tea, it is a film all film buffs who love the golden age of Hollywood will enjoy.

4/4

Hillbilly Elegy Film Review

Directed by Ron Howard

Starring: Amy Adams, Glenn Close, Gabriel Basso

Rated R for language throughout, drug content and some violence

Based on the novel of the same name by J.D. Vance, Hillbilly Elegy is a new Netflix film directed by Ron Howard. In this film, J.D. (played by Gabriel Basso) is a Yale student is in the middle of interview week at school. In the middle of the week, J.D. gets a call concerning his mother, Bev (played by Amy Adams), being put in the hospital due to the use of drugs. With the news of his mother, J.D. returns to his hometown in Ohio and recalls all the memories he had of growing up in the town.

Upon researching this film, I saw Hillbilly Elegy has negative reviews. Upon seeing these reviews, I pondered on why the film has these reviews. While the film is not perfect, its also not a horrific film that deserves the negative reviews. Let’s start off with the acting. When you have actresses such as Glenn Close and Amy Adams, you know you are going to get powerhouse performances and that is what is delivered. Close and Adams, and even Basso who plays the main character, all deliver strong performances. The top notch performances are the strongest aspect of the film and make the film worth watching.

While I enjoyed the strong acting in the film, I did take issue with the story. The story revolves J.D. returning to his hometown in Ohio after receiving a call that his mother is on drugs again and is hospitalized. On the surface, it seems like a simple narrative. College students returns back home and recalls all the good and bad memories he had in town. But when the main character recalls his childhood, the story slows down a bit. Since almost half of the film consists of flashbacks, the film seems longer than it is. After the first few flashbacks, we understand the concept that J.D.’s childhood was awful. We understand why he went to the military and went to school in the northeast. The film didn’t have to force this narrative multiple times. I was more interested in the current story of J.D. trying to find a room for his mother and trying to get back to school on time.

I genuinely believe that if the film reduced the flashbacks and focused on the present day plot, it would have been a hit. I understand this film is based on a book and these flashbacks probably work for an autobiography, but it doesn’t work here unfortunately. After a few flashbacks, we understand that J.D.’s mother is a mess and his grandmother is the glue of the family. The film didn’t have to show this for half of the film because it just brings the film to a halt. Hillbilly Elegy is not the awful film many critics are leading you to believe and it is certainly not an Oscar worthy film (well, maybe a nomination for makeup and acting) but it has its moment. Hillbilly Elegy is worth a watch for audience members who enjoy these types of dramas, but be prepared to get a bit bored.

2.5/4

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm Film Review

Directed by Jason Woliner

Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Maria Bakalova

Rated R for pervasive strong crude and sexual content, graphic nudity, and language

14 years after Borat was released, Borat returns in a new film, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. In this sequel, Borat (played by Sacha Baron Cohen) is set back to the United States with his teenage daughter, Tutar (played Maria Bakalova), so his daughter can be sold to the U.S. president, Donald Trump. While in the United States, Borat and Tutar interact with unsuspecting Americans who are unaware they are being trolled.

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is a mockumentary film that is quite hilarious. Baron Cohen returns to form with the character that made him a household name. Baron Cohen plays the character a crude and brash to those who interact with him. It was enjoyable to revisit a character who is known to be a troll. When Borat is on screen with random people he has met, sometimes the jokes work and sometimes they do not. However, the best person Borat interacts with is his daughter.

Borat’s daughter, Tutar, is a new addition to the series. At first, I was under the impression that Tutar would slow down the film, as it is the norm when a film series add a child to the film. However, I was soon mistaken as Tutar held her own against Baron Cohen. She is also hilarious and is also a master at being a troll. The character of Tutar is a welcomed addition to the Borat series.

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is a film with a simple premise: have two comedic actors dress up as a character and interact with Americans and exploit their buffoonery actions or statements. With a simple premise like that, it is difficult for the film to fail. Fortunately, the film succeeds in every way. The film is humorous and sticks to what it knows best, shock value. Fans of the first Borat film will certainly enjoy the brash sequel.

3/4

The Trial of the Chicago 7 Film Review

Directed by Aaron Sorkin

Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Alex Sharp, Sacha Baron Cohen

Rated R for language throughout, some violence, bloody images and drug use

The Trial of the Chicago 7 is a new Netflix film written and directed by Aaron Sorkin. Based on a true events, the film centers around eight, later seven, individuals who are on trial for inciting violence at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago. While the film may be simple in its premise, it does pose interesting questions and commentary that can be related to today.

With a film like The Trial of the Chicago 7, it was bound to have an ensemble cast given that the film focuses on multiple characters. The cast includes the likes of Eddie Redmayne to Mark Rylance and from Sasha Baron Cohen to Joseph Gordon-Levitt. All the actors in this film give top notch performances.They got lost in the character and become the character they are portraying. While everyone gives a fantastic performance, there are a few actors that did stick out. The first is Sasha Baron Cohen as Abbie Hoffman. While we all know the actor for being in raunchy films such as Borat and Bruno, he is an actor who can give a decent performance when given the right material. It was refreshing to see Cohen not be the over the top character, but the calm and well mannered one. He is hilarious whenever he is on screen with Jeremy Strong as Rubin, another individual charge with inciting violence. These two are Yippies, a group protesting the then Vietnam War in a peaceful manner. Occasionally, Cohen will give a stand up routine to other fellow Yippies and this is where he shines the brightest.

Representing Mr. Hoffman in court is William Kunstler who is portrayed by Mark Rylance. Rylance’s character is also well mannered and speaks softly towards the beginning of the film. However, as soon as the trial drags on and its clear the judge is biased against the defendants, Kunstler becomes more enraged that things are not going well. It is with these particular moments where Rylance takes his character to another level. These are the moments we relate to the character and feel their frustration as well. Most of this frustration comes in part by Judge Julius Hoffman (played by Frank Langella). Based on the judge who actually heard the real life case, Judge Hoffman is a lawfully evil character. He isn’t corrupt by any means, but he is a judge who has clearly made up his mind and does not let his individuals have a fair trial. He lets the trial become a circus as the very start to its end, as the trial is a mess. He is an individual who uses the law to his advantage as in one scene he gags an individual in his courtroom. Throughout the film, the audience grows to abhor a judge who is willing to do anything to make sure the Chicago 7 have an unfair trial.

What makes these characters interesting is the writing which is well done. Aaron Sorkin is an exceptional writer and The Trial of the Chicago 7 is no exception. The film is over two hours, but not once does the film drag on. The film flows like a stream and does not intent to slow down once. When the film is in the courtroom, the film still keeps the story engaging. It doesn’t try to delve deep into the legal language, but instead keeps it simple for the audience.

The Trial of the Chicago 7 is one of those films that can be related to today. The same conversations that were being held in the tumultuous year of 1968 are still being held today. Writer and director Aaron Sorkin has delivered a strong film filled with compelling characters and a timely story. The Trial of the Chicago 7 is a must watch film as it is guaranteed to bring not only enjoyment, but also a lesson on how history is bound to repeat itself.

4/4

The Silence of the Lambs Film Review

Directed by Jonathan Demme

Starring: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn

Rated R

In The Silence of the Lambs, Clarice Starling (played by Jodie Foster) is a trainee at the FBI. She is sent in to speak with Dr. Hannibal Lecter (played by Anthony Hopkins) to see what he knows about Buffalo Bill (played by Ted Levine) a serial killer who murders larger woman. Starling now has to work with Dr. Lecter and seek his advice to catch the serial killer who now has another victim kidnapped.

The Silence of the Lambs is not a traditional horror film, but it has an eerie mood that is present throughout the film. The mood is set by two characters in the film, Buffalo Bill and Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Buffalo Bill is an unsettling character who makes the audience feel uncomfortable throughout the film. There are no redeeming qualities about the man as he is the worst humanity has to offer. Levine does a terrific job bringing a monster to the screen. Also, Dr. Lecter is the other character who brings an unsettling tone to the film. While on screen for a few scenes and not the main villain, Dr. Lecter leaves a big impact on the film. He is the most memorable character in the film and of all time. Not only is Dr. Lecter menacing, but also somehow charming. He’s smart, manipulative, and somehow likeable. He shows respect to those who respect him. He’s a terrifying character because one minute he can be listening to classical music and the next he could be eating your face.

Dr. Lecter stands out in the film is because he interacts with Clarice Starling so well. In the scenes where Dr. Lecter and Starling interact, these two have great banter. In the scene where these two characters meet, they instantly have a connection. It is not for the right reasons, it is because these two are polar opposites. These great interactions can be attributed to the great performances by Foster and Hopkins and the brilliant screenplay by Ted Tally.

But even when Starling is on the screen alone or with other characters, she still makes her presence known. We root for Starling to succeed in finding Buffalo Bill as she is a woman in a man’s world. We know has to prove herself in a man’s world as there are multiple scenes where we can tell Starling is uncomfortable. This reoccurring theme is brilliantly told by having men look at the camera and thus make Starling uncomfortable. I applaud director Jonathan Demme for his terrific directing.

The Silence of the Lambs is one of those films that everyone will remember after one viewing. The characters, plot, dialogue are all memorable elements of the film. This film also has top notched performances that are still remembered to this day. The Silence of the Lambs is one of those films that is considered to be one of the best films of all time and it deserves that title.

4/4

Hubie Halloween Film Review

Directed by Steven Brill

Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Julie Bowen

Rated PG-13 for crude and suggestive content, language and brief teen partying

In Hubie Halloween, Hubie Dubois (played by Adam Sandler) is a social outcast who gets picked on by everyone in town. On Halloween night, Hubie is a self proclaimed safety monitor, for the town of Salem, who watches over the kids treat or treating. But this Halloween night, people start disappearing mysteriously. Now its up to Hubie to find the missing townspeople and save Halloween.

Since Hubie Halloween is a Happy Madison/Adam Sandler film, you can tell what type of film this will be. While this film is by no means excellent or well crafted, it also is not the horrendous Sandler film we are all used to. However, there are some glaring issues. First, the plot is all over the place. I understand Sandler films are not well known for their plot and I am not expecting a complex plot. I actually support the simple plot the film has here. But did we really need all these side plots? For example, Hubie’s neighbor, Walter (played by Steve Buscemi) may or may not be a an actual monster. This side plot did not have to occur, it adds nothing to the story. The film has too much going on in the background and too many side characters. It’s nice to see Sandler offer film roles to his friends, but there’s a point where too much in the background can distract from the main story. If the film had condensed all these side plots, it would have made for a more cohesive story.

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If Hubie Halloween would have been more cohesive, the film still would have failed due to it being unfunny. It’s a shame to say that a film filled with a great cast who have been known to be funny are just not. It took about twenty minutes before the film could get a chuckle out of me. However, the film does bring a few decent jokes. There is a brief Shaq cameo, which was the funniest bit in the film. It was very unexpected and the man actually knows how to bring a laugh. Also, I would say Mrs. Hennessy (played by Maya Rudolph) did bring a few chuckles as well. The film certainly has its moments, but not enough to turn the tide on the unfunny moments.

While I had many issues with the film, I would be lying if I said Hubie Halloween wasn’t fun. This is a type of film that is meant to be a good and enjoyable time and the film does succeed in that aspect. While I wouldn’t recommend watching this film for the humor, I would recommend watching it to get in the Halloween spirit. The film is lighthearted, isn’t a total trainwreck, and it does have a few decent moments. Hubie Halloween isn’t the best Sandler or Halloween themed film, but it does get the job done as it is does keep the audience entertained.

2/4

The Devil All the Time Film Review

Directed by Antonio Campos

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Haley Bennett, Tom Holland

Rated R for violence, bloody/disturbing images, sexual content, graphic nudity, and language throughout

The Devil All the Time is a physiological thriller that centers around multiple stories in a town 1950/1960’s West Virginia. Some of the stories include a World War II veteran, (played by Bill Skarsgård) who is raising a family, Arvin (played by Tom Holland), a young man in 1960’s West Virginia, and a corrupt Sheriff (played by Sebastian Stan) who is trying to win re-election. Although all of these stories seem separate from one another, they all eventually connect with one another.

The brief synopsis given above does not even to scratch the surface of all the stories explored in the film. The film have several stories that do eventually connect, but at times it feels like its one too many. The first 40 minutes of the film focuses on two different stories, two families, that are related, and their unfortunate end. The film is establishing the characters and what the film is going to be about, but the film focuses on these families a bit too much. It’s hard to explain without going into detail too much, but there could have been scenes left on the cutting room floor. But soon after the 40 minute mark, we move on to a different set of characters that are related to the first set of characters we saw at the beginning of the film. My main argument here is that there are too many plot points and characters. The film does get a bit too convoluted a point and the film needed to step back a bit and make it a bit simpler.

This film is based on the novel by Donald Ray Pollock, who also narrates the film. The film almost plays out like a book, from its constant narration to its ambiguous ending that is commonplace for novels. Throughout the film, I kept getting the feeling that the film wanted to emulate To Kill a Mockingbird. While both films take some time to establish the characters and the setting, To Kill a Mockingbird eventually gets to the plot and sticks to it. While I have yet to read the novel this film is based off, The Devil All the Times seems to be ripped off the pages. When adapting a novel to a film, there are some elements that have to be revoked in order to make a cohesive film. Instead, the film just didn’t know how to translate a novel to a film.

Intense Trailer for Netflix's Great-Looking Film THE DEVIL ALL THE TIME with Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson — GeekTyrant

With the criticisms of the film, I have to give credit for the strong performances given throughout the film. The main standouts include Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson, who both transform into their roles and get lost into them. Pattinson, while only being in the film for a few scenes, standouts as a new pastor who has sexual relations with young girls. Pattinson is slowly becoming one of those actors who goes beyond acting and actually becomes a character. Not once did I think of the actor on the screen, but more of the character I was viewing on the screen. Holland did a fantastic job of conveying the emotions of a young man who has recently killed others. We know he has done horrific acts, but somehow the audience cheers the character when he escapes death or succeeds in his plan.

The Devil All the Time is one of those dark films that can bring a somber mood. The film best succeeds in bringing the despicable characters to the screen along with the grim atmosphere, however, it does have a glaring issue of a complicated screenplay. If the film would have made a few cuts to a few characters or scenes, this would have been a fantastic viewing. The film already has a superb cast giving terrific performances, a great screenplay would have helped the film. I know this film has been receiving positive reviews, The Devil All the Time was not my cup of tea. I understand there will be fans of the film, and I can respect that, but this is was a bit of a miss.

2.5/4

Red Dragon Film Review

Directed by Brett Ratner

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes

Rated R for violence, grisly images, language, some nudity and sexuality

Red Dragon is a prequel to The Silence of the Lambs, directed by Brett Ratner. In Red Dragon, Will (played by Edward Norton) is pulled out of retirement from the FBI and is tasked with help finding the “Tooth Fairy”, a serial killer who murders families. Will is forced to seek Dr. Hannibal Lector (played by Anthony Hopkins), a cannibal who was captured by Will years prior, and hear his advice on who the serial killer may be.

Red Dragon serves as a prequel to The Silence of the Lambs and while viewing this film, I could not help noticing the similar plot points to it’s predecessor. While both films are based off the novels by Thomas Harris, I am not sure how much part of the film was from the book and how much of it is original. It goes without saying that Lambs is a fantastic film and I could see the filmmakers wanting this film to be on par with the other. While this film is not on par with the other film, it does stand out on its own and is very enjoyable to watch. For one, Edward Norton is a very likable character the audience roots for. He is given a family, so that is something that makes him relatable. He knows Lector well and doesn’t take his shenanigans from him. While in Lambs, Lector had control over Starling, mostly due to being a trainee at the FBI, Lector has no control over Will. I would go as far as saying as these two are equals, but on the opposite ends of the spectrum.

Anthony Hopkins, as Dr. Lector, also stands out in the role, mostly due to playing such an iconic character. While he is not as menacing as he was in the previous films, he is still frightening. He is very intelligent and knows how to exploit someone’s weakness. While is he mostly restricted to being behind a cage, he is not as terrifying as the main villain, the “Tooth Fairy”. Francis Dolarhyde (played by Ralph Fiennes) is a serial killer who had a tragic upbringing. He was raised by an abusive grandmother which still affects him well into his adulthood. He is made to be more human when he has a romantic relationship with Reba (played by Emily Watson), a blind woman who is oblivious to his crimes. The romantic relationship brings his character down to be a bit more human, instead of being a full monster who is unsympathetic.

The film is a pleasant watch and is a bit suspenseful when it needs to be. Unfortunately there are some elements of the film that are very unbelievable that almost take the audience out of the film. For example, in the beginning of the film, we see how Will captured Dr. Lector. This capture includes Will getting brutally stabbed and Dr. Lector also getting stabbed and getting shot multiple times. While these two characters eventually survive, it is a bit ridiculous that someone can survive what they had to endure. I know this is a film and its all made up, but this moment almost took me out of the film. Also, the film does have a few notable cliches such as a retired law enforcement agent being pulled back in for one last job or the few jump scares the film tries to do. These elements do not take away enjoyment from the film, but it is worth mentioning as it does stick out like a sore thumb.

But disregarding that, Red Dragon is still an intriguing thriller. The film features a great cast who all turn in a wonderful performance and try to make their characters relatable or sympathetic. It also has a lot of twists and turns that will make the audience on the edge of the seat. The film knows that it won’t be on the same level as The Silence of the Lambs, but the film still attempts to a worthy addition to the Hannibal Lector series. I would say anyone who enjoys The Silence of the Lambs would like Red Dragon and find appreciate the film.

3/4

Black Panther Film Review

Directed by Ryan Coogler

Directed by Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o

Rated PG-13 for prolonged sequences of action violence, and a brief rude gesture

After hearing the shocking news of actor Chadwick Boseman’s unfortunate passing, I decided to revisit the film that arguably made him a household name, Black Panther. Black Panther is a Marvel superhero film directed by Ryan Coogler. In this film, T’Challa (played by Boseman) is the new king of Wakanda, a country that lives in secret and also harbors the world’s supply of vibranium. After becoming the king, T’Challa is challenged for the throne from Kilmonger (played by Michael B. Jordan), T’Challa’s cousin who was an orphan after an incident.

Black Panther is probably Marvel’s finest film. To start off, the film feels isolated in its own universe, mostly due to its setting. As where other Marvel films have easter eggs to previous films and sometimes even rely on the audience to view the other films, Black Panther does not have this feature. Anyone can jump into this film without having to view the other films and the audience would not miss anything. Also, this is the first film where it actually feels like the director wants to stand out from the other Marvel films. With the notable exception of the Russo Brothers and Taika Waititi, this is one of the few times where the director is memorable and leaves his mark on the film. Director Ryan Coogler brings Michael B. Jordan, an actor who has appeared in all of Coogler’s films. This film also features a wonderful costume design and production design. I cannot count the multiple times I was in awe of the sets or the costumes the characters were wearing. This is all due to the excellent work of customer designer Ruth E. Carter and set designers Hannah Beachler and Jay Hart. All there individuals were awarded Oscars for their fantastic work.

The film also features a stellar cast who is impeccable. From the likes of Boseman to Martin Freeman, there is not one false note in the casting. The standouts in the film are actually the villains, Michael B. Jordan and Andy Serkis. While Serkis only appears for the first half of the film, Jordan appears throughout the film. They both work excellent together when they are on screen together. And when Jordan is the only remaining villain in the film, he still makes his presence known. Killmonger doesn’t come across a typical cliche villain, but a misunderstood man who is actually going about his mission the wrong way. Killmonger is one of Marvel’s best villains because his motivations are understandable. While Wakanda has sat on the sideline for centuries and has let the world fight their own battles, Killmonger has the idea that Wakanda should not be silent anymore. He is on a mission to stop Wakanda’s isolationism and help people fight their oppressors by giving them weapons. While Killmonger has the right idea, he is going about it the wrong way. This is what makes Killmonger standout from the rest of the other Marvel villains.

In addition to Serkis and Jordan, Boseman is also a standout. He takes the character of Black Panther and makes it his own. His character is a humble man who is also willing to fight others to protect his ideals and values. He has a deep affection for friends and family and they define who he is. He interacts well with his sister Shuri (played by Letitia Wright). These two naturally work well off each other and I always get the impression they are truly siblings. While viewing the film, I never got the impression these two were just actors, but I felt the sibling connection most siblings have. In regards to characters connecting well, there is one flaw and that is T’Challa and Nakia’s (played by Lupita Nyong’o) relationship. I never got the impression these two used to have a romantic relationship, only having a professional relationship. It is mentioned once that Nakia is T’Challa’s ex, but besides that, there was not much connection between these two. I don’t blame the actors here, I place blame on the writing that missed an opportunity.

Speaking of the writing, the film has a great screenplay all due to Coogler and Joe Robert Cole. The film never drags and the film keeps moving forward at a steady pace. The screenplay brilliantly sets up the exposition by having it being told by a character as a bed time story. Also, as mentioned before, the film is written so anyone can jump into this film without having to view any of the other Marvel films. It educates the viewers on what happened in the previous film by showing flashbacks. Furthermore, I got the impression that I was watching a James Bond film. I am not sure if Coogler and Cole were influenced by those films, but the film does have the same set up of a Bond film. By having T’Challa be given a mission to go to a foreign country, visiting Shuri to get his gadgets, to having a villain who is set on world domination, it does have the same elements a Bond film would have.

Black Panther is one of those films that is pleasant and satisfying to view. Coogler brings his best work to the director’s chair by making a standout Marvel film. All the actors in the film bring their A game and are clearly having fun with their roles. Upon revisiting Black Panther, it is no surprise why this is the best Marvel film. Not only does it propel black culture forward, but is has one of the best superhero performances. Even if one Black Panther film is made, Boseman’s legacy is left on this film. His role as the titular character is one that will not be forgotten throughout the years.

4/4