The social media embargo for the next entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Black Panther,” is up, and critics who got a chance to see an advance screening of the movie are praising the movie, and in particular, Michael B. Jordan.
“Black Panther is the best Marvel Film ever made,” Heroic Hollywood’s Nate Brail tweeted. “Nothing compares to it. Michael B. Jordan and Letitia Wright steal the show. The visuals are incredible. Go see it.”
Jordan plays Eric Killmonger, the film’s primary villain, and according to critics, he’s a standout in the film. Other Marvel films have often been dinged by critics for having less-than-compelling bad guys, so it sounds like Jordan’s performance might already elevate “Black Panther” in the pantheon of Marvel movies.
Jordan’s performance wasn’t the only one praised, though. Critics also shouted out Letitia Wright, who plays protagonist T’Challa’s sister Shuri, and Danai Gurira, who plays T’Challa’s general Okoye.
Check out more reactions below.
https://twitter.com/TrevellAnderson/status/958234209100812289
I think the argument can be made for #BlackPanther being the best Marvel film ever! Just got out of premiere & overwhelmed at the imagery, the majesty, & a film that elevates the superhero genre to new heights. pic.twitter.com/LSkWEconB4
— Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) January 30, 2018
Coogler does it again! 3 for 3 #blackpanther is thrilling, emotional and has one of the best villains in the MCU. Every character has purpose and it’s a pure ride from start to finish. Great movie.
— Kristian Harloff (@KristianHarloff) January 30, 2018
Black Panther looks, feels and sounds unlike any Marvel film to date. A visual feast. Wakanda is amazingly realized, the antagonist actually has an arc with emotional motivations. Marvels most political movie. So good. #BlackPanther
— /Film (@slashfilm) January 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/NateBrail/status/958218556579069952
https://twitter.com/philrowen/status/958219655901949952
Ladies and gentlemen we have an AMAZING villain. #BlackPanther was so good I can’t breathe. AND DANAI GURIRA HOLY F@$&?!?!? I LOVE this movie. pic.twitter.com/eMOZTdIMQv
— Ash Crossan (@AshCrossan) January 30, 2018
BLACK PANTHER is incredible, kinetic, purposeful. A superhero movie about why representation & identity matters, and how tragic it is when those things are denied to people. The 1st MCU movie about something real; Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger had me weeping and he’s the VILLAIN
— jen yamato (@jenyamato) January 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/frankpallotta/status/958218644437250048
Something else I love about 'Black Panther' is Ryan Coogler found an organic way to talk about important real world issues without it feeling preachy or fake. That's hard to do in any movie but to make it work in a big #Marvel movie is even more impressive. #LongLiveTheking pic.twitter.com/lHHicc1Mxw
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) January 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/JoelleMonique/status/958227972451844096
And one more thing on #BlackPanther: if we don’t make @letitiawright and @DanaiGurira massive superstars, then our society will collapse.
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) January 30, 2018
Though the last movie in the MCU was “Thor: Ragnarok,” “Black Panther” picks up threads last dropped in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War.” That movie introduced the titular hero Black Panther, played by Chadwick Boseman, who also is T’Challa, the king of a fictional African nation of Wakanda. Black Panther was at odds with Captain America (Chris Evans) during most of that movie, but at the end of it, he agreed to keep Cap’s buddy, Bucky Barnes, safe and secured in Wakanda.
The story of “Black Panther” takes place sometime after “Civil War,” and largely in Wakanda. In that movie, T’Challa’s father was assassinated, leaving T’Challa to take up the mantle of king.
We know from trailers that Martin Freeman’s CIA Director Everett Ross, one of the guys who worked to hunt down Cap and his allies in “Civil War,” will pop up in this movie. We also know that one of Panther’s chief antagonists is Ulysses Klaue, played by Andy Serkis, who faced off against Captain America and the Avengers way back in 2015’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron.”
“Black Panther” is directed by Ryan Coogler and stars Michael B. Jordan, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Daniel Kaluuya, Boseman and Serkis. The movie hits theaters on Feb. 16.