Well, my date and I got stuck in LA traffic and almost missed it. But that story is for another time.
For African American audiences, Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther will be a transformative experience. We have simply never seen anything at all like this: a huge blockbuster featuring a mostly-black cast with effects rivaling Avatar and where every dime of that budget is up there on the screen along with a powerful story that transcends the usual hype to actually achieve the impossible– entertain audiences of all ages.
Yes, in the name of God, bring the kids. I saw no moments in Black Panther that embarrassed me either as a grandpa or a minister. A little rough language here and there, but an efficient, crisp plot that just dances along a disciplined two-hour running length and a cast overflowing with brightly realized individual characters. You don’t sit there struggling to remember who is who, and there is no generic Central Casting dialogue to be found, here. The movie neither insults our intelligence by over-explaining or dumbing-down, nor does it lord it over us with technobabble. It is exhilarating fun. It feels like a block party and, hey, you’re invited. Parts of it are almost as much fun as Thor: Ragnarok, and, special bonus, this film has an actual plot.
There are at least four audiences for this film: Black Panther comic book fans, general comic book fans, African American general audiences and general audiences. This film offers high octane entertainment to all of these groups, but it will be the African American general audiences–who neither know nor care who I am–who will struggle the hardest to make it through the first act of this film without tearing up. The film’s glorious fairy tale of a highly advanced African civilization is enough to drop even the most cynical among us to our knees. A love letter to African Americans, the first half hour of this film had me wiping away tears at the sheer beauty of a people–my people–brought to glorious and amazing life in ways I never could on a static comic book page. Here, Black Panther finally had a soundtrack, and it is the soundtrack of my ancestors, my homeland. It was emotionally overwhelming and something I’d not quite prepared myself for.
Intrinsic to it’s (at times heavy-handed) Afrocentric unity theme, Black Panther is an unapologetically upbeat film. Walking out of the theatre, you can’t help but feel better about yourself and more optimistic and hopeful about your heritage–whatever it is. Some movies want to make you act antisocially or, I dunno, drive really aggressively or beat somebody up. Black Panther makes you want to go home and clean up your neighborhood. Organize. Paint something. It makes you want to retire old, stupid grudges and remember our common causes.
While not specifically a “Christian” film, there is a heavy emphasis on moral responsibility and social acceptance. Most of the characters are deeply spiritual people and even the bad guys– even the worst of them, Andy Serkis’ Klaw– hold advanced degrees. Coogler’s relentless message to young people–black youth most especially–is self-awareness, self-empowerment and tolerance. Michael B. Jordan’s arrogant, hip-hop usurper is a social activist and self-made megavillain who mounts a legitimate challenge to Boseman’s throne. These are powerful themes from which young people of all ethnicities will benefit.
Of course, the real test of any blockbuster is not how many people go to see it but how many people go to see the film more than once. Audiences will make most any well-marketed film a hit on opening weekend; the question is will they return–preferably with their family and friends–for a re-screening, or will they simply scoff up the ten-dollar bootleg or illegal download. Paying actual money usually means the audience not only wants to see the film again, but wants to experience it at the theatre– on the one device most of us still cannot afford to have in our homes: a 40-foot ultra-high definition digital screen.
Most of my African American friends will not go to most movies that do not have Madea in them. Scoff all you want, Tyler Perry’s irascible alter-ego is a huge hit and, whether you think so or not, actually is hilarious. Beyond that, Perry’s films play like the soundtrack of our lives, something many white reviewers (who seem to hate Me. Perry personally and are deeply offended not by Madea but by Madea’s success) simply don’t get.
The rest that Hollywood offers our community, the slim pickings, are often relegated to the wait-to-see-it-on-Netflix crowd. The illegal download crowd, the bootleg disc crowd. I refuse to watch bootlegs or illegal downloads because I actually don’t mind buying a ticket or paying the $3.99 rental fee. I don’t get the supposed thrill of “sticking it to the man” or the knucklehead high-fiving over getting something for nothing. People worked hard to create that music. It’s $1.99, you cheap bastards.
I went to see Chadwick Boseman’s James Brown biopic, Get On Up, at least 14 times. I mean, I went to an actual theater and bought an actual ticket at least that many times, sometimes 5-6 days in a row. I was that mesmerized by his performance (and told him so on the set of Avengers: Infinity War). Boseman’s Brown may not have seemed as impressive to people who were not as intimately affected by Brown’s music, who have never met the late Mr. Brown or seen him perform live. My Mom was (hate to admit it) one of the groupie girls following bands around and riding in limos with singers like Jackie Wilson. As a very young child, I was introduced to some of these famous people, and I saw Mr. Brown perform live on many occasions. Mr. Brown owned a home in our community.
Priest with Chadwick Boseman on the set of Avengers: Infinity War
In Get On Up, Boseman totally inhabits the spirit of The Godfather of Soul. The resemblance is not perfect, but the sheer power of Boseman’s acting created a jaw-dropping spectacle difficult to look away from.
I will go back to see Black Panther again. Not because it has a largely-black cast or even because I used to write the titular character. I will go back to an actual theater and buy an actual ticket because I want to see all of that glory up there on the 40-foot screen. Until I can afford a 40-foot ultra-high-def screen of my own, I will go see this film whenever it is being screened on one. That, friends, is the very definition of blockbuster.
Despite toiling under the now very tired superhero movie formula (Act Three: The Hero Faces Off Against His Doppelganger!) director Ryan Coogler manages to pull off a few surprises– something I honestly did not think possible. This is not my Black Panther– it is a young king who is still learning and thus still growing and thus capable of being surprised in ways my T’Challa never could. Michael B. Jordan’s more linear and bombastic villain’s hip hop soundtrack tends to drown out Chadwick Boseman’s far more nuanced, surgical prince-who-would-be-king, so you’re likely to read lots of praises or complaints about Jordan “stealing” this movie. The actual thieves are the women– Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira, and Lupita Nyong’o, who are given the most dynamic of the action scenes and who, along with an absolutely glorious Angela Bassett, solve all of the plot’s problems (including rescuing T’Challa)–which is both good and bad. Jordan’s Killmonger has a legitimate case– real complaints and concerns about Wakanda not sharing its cultural, military, and economic wealth with other people of color.
Jordan’s Killmonger is layered and articulate and is the rare villain who has an actual case against the hero. But the sheer power of Coogler’s visuals should have choked Killmonger on arrival. Nothing his father or anyone else could have told him about this place could possibly prepare the young urban male for the actual experience of being there– in African utopia. One might successfully make the case that Killmonger’s encounter with Coogler’s stunning visuals actually hardened his resolve: how dare we not share this wealth, technology, and beauty?
There are many laugh out loud moments in the film but almost none of them come from Martin Freeman’s Everett K. Ross. Freeman does the best he can, often eliciting big laughs with simple body language and facial expressions–the mark of a master thespian. But the film gives Ross little to do and almost no lines, which will disappoint fans of my run while the other audiences will simply wonder what he was doing there in the first place.
Unfortunately, by either decree or simple fate, and despite my pleadings with the decision makers, Black Panther nonetheless sticks to formula. Are we really not capable of creating a film that resolves its core conflicts without the predictable big fight at the end? The best parts of the film–and there are many–are the places where Coogler is allowed to vary from this formula or, even better, practice a kind of slight of hand where he doesn’t really fool me so much as he waves a hand puppet, “Hey! Look over here!” distracting me long enough that when the film snaps back to formula I am actually surprised where I, a grizzled old writer, really shouldn’t have been.
All of the performances–including Freeman’s–are near-flawless. These are brilliant actors chewing scenery through each and every frame of this film. They all seem to know they are working on a landmark film–likely the biggest-budget blockbuster film with a mostly black cast, and every single actor here rises to the occasion.
While I’d have wished for much more originality in the final act of the film, I do not hold Mr. Coogler responsible for not reinventing the wheel. But I _am_ tired of watching the same movie over and over and over and over and over– And Then They Fight! I like even less the lesson these films repeatedly teach our children: conflict resolution through violence.
Having said that, I am overwhelmed by a sense of relief that the movie far exceeds my fears about what this thing might have been. It is an amazing spectacle with a rich, thick, multi-layered, often conflicted and expertly nuanced pseudo-Hamlet at the center–a brilliant performance that is bound to be overrun by Jordan’s more flamboyant, focused and bombastic challenger. My self-interest in the success of this film notwithstanding, I am confident the film will be a huge hit with African American audiences and certainly with comic book (and comic book film) fans, leaving only Priest-specific Black Panther fans a bit disappointed, and, of course, the sophomoric, ugly racist crowd who will hate it even as they buy their ticket.
There are several key sequences in the film involving tribal ritual which immature audiences or, let’s say it, racist audiences may and likely will take the opportunity to mock or laugh at. Theater operators in racially tense areas might do well to be sensitive to these moments which could inspire shouting matches or worse.
While taking absolutely nothing away from Stan Lee, who was one of the people who taught me this biz, or Jack “King” Kirby, I was disappointed and a little disturbed by one thing. I would guess at least 80% of the characters up on that screen were created by Don McGregor, who was in attendance at last night’s premiere. Forget me or Reginald Hudlin or even Ta-Nehisi Coates (who sat with us), the vast and rich infrastructure of this film was a product of years of hard investment by Don, who was paid some paltry page rate. Don built the world of Wakanda, literally, maps of the place and extensive biographies and character sketches. He deserved much more than to be buried in a “Special Thanks” paragraph in the closing credits. Stan wrote, to my knowledge, only three Black Panther stories, and Jack jettisoned virtually everything Don did when he did his own run on the book. Black Panther the movie is Don McGregor’s world brought to glorious life. I’d have liked him to have a larger credit for it (and better seats than waaaaay in the back with the rest of us peons).
I’ve got mixed feelings about the buried “Special Thanks” credits too. They’re a big step up from not receiving credit at all, which has sadly been the norm in most adaptations in the past, and I certainly don’t begrudge the creators getting their credit upfront. But Claremont, Byrne, Wein, and Cockrum deserve prominent credits in X-Men adaptations, and so does Miller in Daredevil and Batman adaptations. (At least Claremont and Sinkiewicz get a prominent credit on the Legion TV series.) Glad to hear McGregor got a credit and an invite, but you’re right, it’s a shame he didn’t get more.
Glad you enjoyed it. I’m with you on the Marvel Movie Formula getting a little tired, but I’m looking forward to it nonetheless. Great to see BP finally getting treated as an A-lister.
Perhaps instead of “Special thanks to…”, future movies might better serve their audiences with something like “Inspired by the works of…”
It did irk me to not see “Ultron created by Roy Thomas and John Buscema at the end of Age of Ultron, though…so, yes. Matching the characters to their creators as much as possible, on principle, is likely the better road for future MCU films and TV projects to take.
no mentions on the murderous master of sound guess any talk about Klaw would be too spoilery
Can you give a hint which characters are in the 2 post-credits scenes?
Man, I’m sorry. I actually am not allowed to talk about the plot or these kinds of things at all. besides, isn’t not knowing half the fun? I don’t get why people (not you!) want to ruin everything by posting the surprises the second they learn them. in what universe is that fun?
I’ve heard some people compare this movie to, of all things, Deep Space Nine, which has me excited.
“Black fatherhood in a sci-fi setting” seems to be the obvious connecting theme (and it is one that I still appreciate), but hopefully there is more to this comparison. DS9 said its bit about all sorts of things, and most of the time I think it said it pretty well.
I was really curious to hear your take of the film, my friend! Martin was certainly no hybrid of Perry/Fox but, while I was worried about his casting in Captain America: Civil War, there was the western white guy in Wakanda culture shock going on for perspective and laughs; but he’s clearly is not your EKR. I agree about Don, although he was proud and humbled by it all in his red smoking jacket amongst his family, friends and fans. I thought they did a good job of capturing elements from most of the creators involved with the mythology from silver, bronze to modern ages. That’s a fairly good balancing act IMHO. But most of it was based on Don and your contributions and, of course, where the book is now thanks to Coates and Stelfreeze. I felt Jordan, Gurira, Serkis, and especially Wright stole every scene they were in. And M’Baku and the Jabari were all you and us;-) I found the visuals and sfx a treat for the senses and the themes, the acting all inspiring…I wish I could refer to more specific scenes but I won’t spoil this cinematic treat for the rest of our fellow BP/CJP fans. I can’t wait to see where this ride will lead next. It was a sincere joy to finally meet you in person, Priest! If only we had more time to spend talking and soaking it all in. And congratulations for your ‘rediscovery’ and success over at DC and Marvel! Best regards, Bob Almond (who you imagined to be “a kid”-LOL)
Where’d you guys go? Denys and I hung out at the afterparty for about an hour, but none of the studio people were there. I think we got the wrong-colored wristbands!!! Reginald (Hudlin) prolly knew where the “cool” afterparty was!
We had the pink wristlets and were led to the nearby Roosevelt Hotel backyard tent party. Most of the film actors were there as well as Don Cheadle, Clark Gregg, Snoop Dogg and Rob Liefeld. Sal & I couldn’t find you or Don or any of the BP talent. Since that night I’ve seen the film twice more and been emotionally moved every time.
If you are able to email me at dmralmond@gmail.com I have a basic question to ask you.
Thank you!
Bob (“your silent Partner”)
No need now…Sal told me he contacted you;-)
For the record, My Honor, Stan Lee is credited as writing the first three stories that featured Black Panther… Fantastic Four # 52 & 53 (cover-dated July & August 1966), Fantastic Four Annual #5 (dated November, 1967) & Tales of Suspense # 97, 98 & 99 (cover-dated January, February & March, 1968).
Roy Thomas followed up with Black Panther joining the Avengers with issue # 52 (cover-dated May, 1968).
Of course, you’re right, thanks for reminding me! I’ve corrected and updated.
“wrote, to my knowledge, only one Black Panther story”
UNTRUE. Jack Kirby wrote his own stories. With ZERO input from his editor… who was paid for Kirby’s writing.
“and Jack jettisoned virtually everything Don did when he did his own run on the book”
Depending on how you look at it… apparently, Kirby’s “BLACK PANTHER” run were the stories he originally came up with back in 1966, intended to follow FANTASTIC FOUR #52-53, but never got a chance to do them until 1978. By all rights, they should be viewed as taking place long before Don’s stories, not abruptly right after them.
And I stand corrected, Henry. Thanks for taking the time to catch me up (and sorry for the wait to get to this!)
I can’t wait to see this. The only thing you said that has many nervous is paragraph 3, I don’t want to be crying during such a triumphant moment like this film.
You can count me in that last group of fans (Priest specific Black Panther fan). I think it will be along time before we get an “Unforgiven” from Marvel or DC cinematic. Additionally, whatever director goes down that path will likely be building something other than a billion dollar blockbuster. I do think that Marvel has varied the formula over the years. Spider-Man:Homecoming built an interesting rappor with the Vulture this time around. You never sensed that Spidey wanted to fight. The relationship between them was strong enough to build nuances with an ending that left one wondering just how they truly felt about each other. At least it all didn’t boil down to vengeance. I love what you’ve done with JL as you explore the challenges of super-humanity. Thanks for the review, bud.
Thank you for pointing out how so much was influenced specifically by Don McGregor’s runs on the character. I, too, expected something other than his name to be lumped in among the other special thanks… maybe a separate, solo very special thanks. Something. But Don McGregor is all over this movie. Kudos to you for applauding one of your fellow creators.
Oh, definitely agree. It’s Don’s movie. It’s McGregolicious.
First thing I did after our credits rolled was shake his hand, “Congratulations, Don.” Ta-Nehisi’s influence (he’s such an amazing guy. I never know what to say to him because he’s, y’know, a real writer) on the film is obvious. It’s much more their film than mine.
Well. I’m going to blame you anyway if it’s good. Sherí and I and Kirsten are seeing it right now. Much love, brother.
don’t be so down they did use The Dora Milaje your creations especially Okoye and Nakia they used your Kimyo communication device they also used some of your Jabari Man-Ape plot points about them being outsiders to most Wakandans
BigShadow stole my thunder a bit, but yeah, I was going to say I felt the movie was more 50/50 between you and McGregor. Killmonger will always be McGregor’s baby (and the character’s part in the film is enormous), but approaching T’Challa as a king first, superhero second, comes straight from you; plus the use of the vibranium in his suit (and elsewhere) is you. Later writers were following the trail you blazed first there.
Just came back from seeing it. I disagree with you, Priest, I felt it was your work infused all over the film more than McGregor’s! It wasn’t a direct translation of your concepts, but it felt like so many of your concepts tried to get crammed in, however they would work. It was awe-inspiring how many details they tried to capture.
My biggest letdowns were the pointlessness of Ross and the entirety of act 2 in Korea – and I live in Korea! I was happy to see Korea! Sadly, there was no point for them to be in Korea, rather than anywhere else in the world.
But every high point about the movie – the supporting cast, the world-building, the mythology, the plot, the villains – stood head and shoulders above every other Marvel film.
Gonna disagree with your negatives.
On the Korea Scene: It serves serval purposes. 1, it shows Panther operating outside of Africa/Wakanda. He’s not a “local hero”, he operates on a global scale. Spider-Man is a local hero.. Panther isn’t. It also showed really just how prepared these people are. They’re not bumbling around, but have plans, gear, and are prepared for different contingencies. They’re not Priest’s group yet…but they will be.
Also, it was just cool..and blockbuster movies need to be cool. I’ve been wanting straight out superhero super spy James Bond stuff..and while I’ve been hoping the Nightwing movie does that, I’m just fine for the Panther film to give it to me.
As for Ross, he serves a couple of important points. He’s the outside world. Dave Van Domelen point out his storyline is T’Challa’s final speech made real..building bridge, not walls (which is what Okoye wanted to do with him). Also, every character represents a concept, influencing T’Challa as he figures out who he is (boy/man, hero/king, merciful/cruel). Ross represents basic heroism. He sacrifices himself to save Nakia, not because of who she was, but because she was the person next to him. When confronted with a jet is about to kill him, he asks how long he has and goes back into the hologram to (in context of the film) save the world. He’s representing Captain America’s line in Avengers, laying down on the wire to let the others crawl over him. Contrast that to Killmonger (with the same kind of training) who talks big concepts, but when you look at his actions (killing his girlfriend, burning the flowers) is really about himself.
Todd – that was damn good analysis on Ross vs Killmonger. Just wanted to say that.
loved M’Baku he was certainly a scene stealer can’t wait to see him in Infinity War
Headcanon missing scene: M’baku convinces his guys to come to the big fight scene, NOT to help anyone, but as a way to get to beat on some lowlanders without negative repercussions. 🙂
Scoring good-will points with not only the Panther Throne, but with the wider world (and some off-world nations as well?) has to matter to M’Baku in the context of these movies…
I think Everett Ross’ limited role was a deliberate choice on two counts:
In every action movie you’ve ever seen, the hero (Cruise, Stallone, Willis, Arnie) has a team of guys with distinct skills, one of whom is black. His job is to be “the black guy.” There might even be a woman on the team. Martin Freeman is playing the guy who stands two feet to the right of the hero, usually Don Cheadle or Cuba Gooding Jr.
Thematically, Ross and Klaw illustrate the two sides of colonialism. Klaw is imperialism on the hoof; he’s a pirate, taking what he wants because he can. Ross is a missionary: here to help but insisting he should be in charge. He needed to be taken down a peg.
Coogler managed to make a whole ‘nother movie laced in between all the smash-bang action, a deep and thoughtful meditation on our deepest societal wounds.
Yeah…. but (no offense to Joe Robert Cole, whom I had the pleasure of hanging out with in LA) I wish they’d have passed me the script so I could take a pass at the Ross character. I love Martin Freeman– brilliant actor.
This is one more reason why I hope that Disney/Marvel revives those little One-Shots they used to make between movies in the “Phase One” days. Seeing the results of such a collaboration between you and Mr. Freeman…that would be worth some of my time.
I agree Don’s run provided a lot of the characters, concepts and plot points, but I firmly believe without your run on the book we wouldn’t even be talking about a Black Panther movie – or at least the movie we’d be talking about would be much different (I’m trying really hard to picture a BP movie about King Solomon’s frogs and totally failing). The Marvel Knights series made Black Panther MATTER as a character. The Dora Milaje were a neat idea and Everett Ross was a handy (and humorous) plot device, but you gave T’Challa a depth and dignity he’d never had up to that point (not from Stan, or Jack, or Don)
I almost came to tears every time the female warriors came on screen. They were not only aesthetically beautiful but so powerful. They were really well written and not once felt like victims or females that needed to be rescued. I thought they stole the show and felt they could easily have a film where they were the stars. Wonderful well written women.
I’m actually not a fan of comic book films. I find them very boring but this film exceeded all expectations.
Dear Christopher,
WOW Thanks for the commentary!! I will be sure to watch the Black Panther movie. Your commentary settled a question I had inside my mind.. Should I watch this movie knowing it may or may not run true to the Christopher Priest vision?? Now after reading your article, I’ll give it a shot.
In my opinion you Sir , are the greatest comic book writer ever. How else can I phrase it? If I had to make an All-Star creative team to create a comic book I would pick say Tom Orzechowski for a letterer, Terry Austin for the inker, Jim Lee for the artist, and YOU as the writer. Yes indeed I would pick you over other luminaries such as Frank Miller or Chris Claremont or Alan Moore, etc.
I was following your body of work since the 80’s since Power Man and Iron Fist, the Falcon, some issues of Daredevil. I really started to notice your work when you were writing Conan the Barbarian. That storyline was very impressive with Conan’s characterization as this grim and also witty bad-ass! He had funny but killer side-kicks like Captain Delmurio, Tetra, and Kiev. He faced the megalomaniacal and narcissistic King El Shah Maddoc. I thought you were a very good writer.
What changed my mind? What made me come to my realization that you are/were the best comic book writer? It was that issue of Conan the Barbarian #200, the middle of the story where Kobe searches for Conan and finds out why our hero is routinely taking hunting “trips” during their journey to face the villain the Devourer of Souls”. When Kobe finds Conan and he tells Kobe to leave him. We find that Conan is doing these hunting trips to sacrifice to his God Crom, to “purge his soul”, to bring “the eradication of everything within him that is not warlike”. I read that and was super impressed!! That was some deep and heavy stuff!!
Since then, I’ve read other stories you have worked on. I’ve read Justice League Task force (that was ssooo sad for the character Triumph) I’ve read your Black Panther storyline. And throughout the years, my opinion has never wavered that you are indeed the best comic book writer ever. I’ve also enjoyed reading your website. its very informative and inspiring, lot of people like myself can truly benefit from reading and seeing your viewpoint.
Best of luck and Godspeed for your future endeavors Mr. Priest. It was an honor to write this letter to you.
Thank you,
Ben
Thanks so much, Ben. But I am FAR from being the greatest *anything* 🙂 I had lunch with Denny O’Neil last month, who literally taught me how to write comics. Denny tops my list of favorite writers, a list I can never publish without insulting many good friends, but I can sing you an Aria about comics book writers who clean my cock every single month. I’ll sneak in a shout out to Dan Slott, though, who’s been writing Spider-Man for a decade and somehow managed to explain a decade’s worth of Spider-Continuity to me over dinner. That guy’s a freaking genius.
I’ve missed Priest Panther….a lot.
I don’t think any writer since has gotten the correct mix of tech, plot and action just right. Nevertheless, I was sure that after years of waiting, I’d get my Panther fix with the movie this February.
But as Thor has said before, “I was left wanting!”
The directing was outstanding, the story was different but good, the visuals were great. But I did not like the CGI action, at all. I just knew this would be great action and hand-to-hand comic book combat sequences a la Winter Soldier, or the Matrix movies, or even Jackie Chan.
Someone once said that in order to appreciate James Brown or MJ, you have to have as many full uninterrupted body shots as possible. You actually have to not move the camera in order to let the artistry sink in. That did not happen in the movie.
But my wife wanted to see it a second time. So we went. And with no more expectations, I actually liked it more the second time. Ok…all is good. Then here comes Priest….
I read that BP story that Priest did in February. And it was all that I was missing.
Priest, dId you have that story just sitting in a file cabinet or old drive. You must have. Because to have not written BP for years, and to fall back into the groove of what a great BP story should be, would be just remarkable. Thank you. That story was very satisfying.
As great a job that Coogler did, I wish he was able to lean on your talents and knowledge of BP more. Even so, now I’m seeing Rotten Tomatoes reviews of Infinity War that are a bit lower than BP. As the past few writers haven’t quite gotten PriestPanther, I’m wondering if the Russo Brothers will not quite get CooperPanther and CooglerWakanda. Oh well, Marvel will still get my family’s money. Haha.