Tag: michael b jordan

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

Just Mercy Film Review

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, Brie Larson

Rated PG-13 for thematic content including some racial epithets

In the height of the Great Depression, many Americans, and people around the world, went to the theaters in hopes to escape reality and get submerged in another world. Today, we look at the world and we see that we can no longer go to films to escape reality. We must look towards films in order to educate the public about the struggles many people face today. Recently in light of the George Floyd protests, Warner Brother released Just Mercy for free to the public. I felt this was the right time to view the film. Just Mercy is a true story of Bryan Stevenson (played by Michael B. Jordan), a young lawyer who works hard to release Walter McMillian (played by Jamie Foxx), a innocent man who was framed for a murder he did not do.

Just Mercy is a film that invokes strong emotions because it is a story that actually occurred. The film not only focuses on McMillian’s story and his struggle, but also other inmates who were not given the opportunity to prove their innocence. We see inmates who had rush trials with officers who are insistent that the suspect is guilty. This story does not take place 100 years ago or even 50 years ago, its a story that took place in the late 80’s and early 90’s. As much as we can say we have evolved and we are doing better with executing people who may be innocent, we are not. The story certainly makes the audience think about how the legal system in the United States is not truly equal for all.

The film is also filled with strong performances from the main leads of Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx to the supporting cast of Brie Larson and O’Shea Jackson Jr. Foxx gives an incredible performance who is wanting to be free. He conveys McMillian as I did not see Foxx on screen, I saw McMillian. Jordan also gives an incredible performance as a young lawyer in a setting he has never been in, Alabama. Jordan is emotional, compassionate, and angry when he needs to be. His role as Stevenson proves why Jordan is a great actor. In the background is Brie Larson as Eva, an assistant to Stevenson. While Larson did a fine job in the role, there wasn’t much for her to do in the film. This is not to dismiss Larson’s acting, but the screenplay doesn’t give much the character to do. It was unfortunately a wasted potential, but was enjoyable whenever she was on screen.

In these uncertain times, Just Mercy is a film audiences need to watch in order to understand the racism and struggle most black people face. While the film was set thirty years ago, the story could have been set in present times and it would not have been different. Just Mercy goes beyond being entertaining and serves as being educational. I implore all audiences to view the film and take away the lesson that we have to do better in our society and in our justice system.

3.5/4