It currently has the highest Rotten Tomatoes score of any live-action superhero movie and our critics break down why Black Panther is getting high marks. The voices behind Screened on the Spot, a new podcast that is available on 38 The Spot.com, Sarah Unruh, Chris Allen and Justin Nosler, say the movie is action-packed and important on a racial and cultural level.
Chris' thoughts:
Justin's thoughts:
Unlike most entries in this flooded market of superhero movies, Black Panther gives us something more personal and human with that Marvel flair. I knew going into it this film would be important for cultural and racial reasons, but was pleasantly surprised at the greatness of its female characters. As great as Boseman is, it's the women that steal the show, becoming as much a hero (or more) as Black Panther himself. Equally great is the villain, played by Michael B. Jordan who's given us a compelling and surprisingly sympathetic villain, and the best the MCU has had since Loki. With Black Panther, Marvel proves they're not slowing down anytime soon, giving us arguably their most absorbing and important entry to date.
Sarah's thoughts:
If the Marvel movies leave you confused and scratching your head over all the different plots, dozens of superhero characters, and exhausted from the never-ending stream of movies you have to keep up with - Black Panther will ground you.
We are in a world hidden from everything. It might not feel like as much is at stake as an intergalactic war because we aren't seeing the threat of the total destruction of earth, but this conflict hits much closer to home. Socio-economic status and classism become the evil here - sometimes the hand you're dealt isn't fair and it's hard to get a leg up in life. Many people relate to fighting a system where you are set up to fail.
As such, this isn't your typical cute Marvel movie. It's far more serious, violent, and real. At times Black Panther feels like James Bond rather than a comic book movie with spying scenes, cool tech, car chases, and fist fights. This movie stands on its own, apart from the previous movies.