So.
I love this movie. Love. I think it’s probably the best overall film Marvel’s come out with, viewed holistically. I might like a certain action scene or the humor in another movie more BUT, taken as a whole, Black Panther is STRONG. Top three, if not top of the list.
And, I have confirmed, very rewatchable.
I’ve been struggling with what else – if anything – to say about the movie, and honestly trying to decide if I should say anything about it. I love it, and I think it’s great, and I think if you haven’t seen it, and you’re someone in my circles, you probably should, because you’ll like it.
But what else?
I mean, the empowerment and representation in this movie is not mine, and that is an inarguable good, so maybe I should just shut the fuck up about it.
Maybe no one wants to hear that I think Blank Panther also has something important to say to me and other white guys. Maybe I don’t even need to step into the “what Black Panther has to say” conversation at all.
And if you feel that way, I respect that, and you should definitely tune this next bit out.
Because… this movie is about Wakanda, right?
And what’s Wakanda?
Wakanda is, by all accounts (including the exposition in the movie) a pretty blessed country. It has resources and advantages no one else in the world has. It has made advances no one else in the world has, and in fact enjoys benefits no one else in the world even imagines can be.
“You guys have hoverbikes?!?”
It has, in short, all the best stuff.
And, at the start of the movie (and throughout the fictional history of this country) what Wakanda does with these gifts is:
- use them to protect itself
- preserve its advantage
- ensure that everyone else’s problems do not become its problems.
So… basically… white men in the real world.
And without discussing spoilers, I will say this.
The movie demonstrates a healthy, helpful, I think necessary path forward for anyone with those kinds of advantages.
And it’s not more guns.
It’s not war and occupation in every country we don’t agree with.
It’s not continuing the same selfish, inward-focused, personal preservation that has been our go-to move throughout history.
In a time of conflict, fools builds a wall barriers, and the wise build bridges.
Right?
So.
Without (I hope) taking anything away from everyone to whom this movie will speak much more fully, much more emotionally, and much more personally, I hope I can say that it also has something to tell a middle-aged white dude.
And I’m going to shut up and take notes, because it’s got a hell of a good point.