03-05-2018, 01:17 PM
Saw it.
Note: I don't think I've given any spoilers -- certainly nothing detailed -- but your spoiler mileage might vary. So a slight heads up.
It's certainly refreshing to see an African take on a superhero movie, in its characters, culture, and world-building, as well as how it addresses important social and racial issues, both historical and current ... but it's still just a superhero movie, and as such it left me feeling emotionally flat.
There were fights both won and lost, but never a clear indication of why someone lost one time and won another time -- no physical or mental growth that seemed to have made a difference. Then there was the question of why, when the studio had invested so much effort in creating this beautiful alternate cultural setting (and yes, the sets and costumes are gorgeous), the first major action scene should boil down to a car chase.
Yeah, I know. I really have it in for car chases. I think it harkens back to growing up in Indiana, where, while I was so into science fiction and spaceships and the wonders of the universe and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, I was surrounded on all sides by people popping car hoods to point and blather about cylinders and volumes and exhausts and oh hell I never listened to any of it. I just developed a loathing for cars and everything having to do with them.
But back to Black Panther. There was also a formality to the proceedings and something in the cadenced speech that started reminding me of a Biblical epic where Heston and company are investing every syllable with the utmost emphasis because, well, this is important stuff, you know? And yes, I'm exaggerating here, it wasn't that bad. But still, there seemed a formality, a nobility, a cleanliness to the goings-on when I felt it needed to get down and dirty...
Yes, I know. You can say it. I'm more jaded than Greg.
But as superhero movies go I think this is solid -- worthy of becoming its own franchise -- and I'm glad that it is doing so well at the box office.
Note: I don't think I've given any spoilers -- certainly nothing detailed -- but your spoiler mileage might vary. So a slight heads up.
It's certainly refreshing to see an African take on a superhero movie, in its characters, culture, and world-building, as well as how it addresses important social and racial issues, both historical and current ... but it's still just a superhero movie, and as such it left me feeling emotionally flat.
There were fights both won and lost, but never a clear indication of why someone lost one time and won another time -- no physical or mental growth that seemed to have made a difference. Then there was the question of why, when the studio had invested so much effort in creating this beautiful alternate cultural setting (and yes, the sets and costumes are gorgeous), the first major action scene should boil down to a car chase.
Yeah, I know. I really have it in for car chases. I think it harkens back to growing up in Indiana, where, while I was so into science fiction and spaceships and the wonders of the universe and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, I was surrounded on all sides by people popping car hoods to point and blather about cylinders and volumes and exhausts and oh hell I never listened to any of it. I just developed a loathing for cars and everything having to do with them.
But back to Black Panther. There was also a formality to the proceedings and something in the cadenced speech that started reminding me of a Biblical epic where Heston and company are investing every syllable with the utmost emphasis because, well, this is important stuff, you know? And yes, I'm exaggerating here, it wasn't that bad. But still, there seemed a formality, a nobility, a cleanliness to the goings-on when I felt it needed to get down and dirty...
Yes, I know. You can say it. I'm more jaded than Greg.
But as superhero movies go I think this is solid -- worthy of becoming its own franchise -- and I'm glad that it is doing so well at the box office.
I'm nobody's pony.