Believe the hype: 'Black Panther' is a masterful, moving blockbuster

It's hard to put into the words the effect Black Panther had on me. Some will probably dismiss it as "just another superhero movie," but for many African-Americans it means so much more.

It certainly means a lot to me, since I recall playing Ghostbusters on the playground and being relegated to the role of Winston Zeddemore (who was cool, but no Venkman).  I remember Lando Calrissian's handsome face being my entry point for Star Wars.

But here, in this remarkably entertaining and slyly complex film, I didn't have to pick and choose my heroes, because the screen was full of them.

There were black people of all different shades, looking beautiful and strong.

Not every character of color was a good guy, and the main hero was not without his flaws. And yet, just like with Get Out (which curiously also came out during Black History Month a year ago), I watched this film with a diverse audience, all of whom were invested in a story by and about black people, and they all appeared to enjoy the hell out of it.

Which is no small feat in an age where audiences are quick to deflate the hype around any movie, and when contrarian opinions inevitably eclipse initial thoughts. I had previously enjoyed almost every Marvel movie I'd seen since Iron Man changed the game just ten years ago -- but most of those films soared on the strength of their star turns, not their story. Therefore, I can barely explain to you what actually happened in many of those films now, or what they were about.

It's probably fair to say that most Marvel movies prior to this one were not really about anything, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but it renders them largely disposable. Black Panther, which was clearly made with a lot of earnestness and purpose by the brilliant writer-director Ryan Coogler, takes some big risks in the hopes of resonating with the young boys and girls who have inevitably gone to see it, and it miraculously pulls off something fresh and invigorating.

The politics... Yes, this is the first overtly political Marvel movie (although Captain America: Civil War flirted with a closer look at why and how we employ our military muscle). Its plot deals with whether the fictional African country of Wakanda could and/or should use its rich (and secret) resources to enrich the rest of the world and risk their sovereignty and safety in order to do it. This premise provides real stakes and an opportunity to take some digs at colonialism and systemic oppression. That said, the movie never crosses the line from subtle to preachy, even if it is bursting at the seams with progressive representation.

Which brings me to ... the women. Unlike any superhero movie other than Wonder Woman, this film provides a space for its badass female heroes to not just shine, but nearly steal the show. After too many roles utilized her only as a motion capture performer, Lupita Nyong'o gets to be the sexy, fierce love interest here. Danai Gurira is simply fantastic as a great warrior and the right hand woman of Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and Letitia Wright is wily and witty as his sister and personal Q branch. Add the legendary Angela Bassett to the mix and you have an embarrassment of riches here.

Michael B. Jordan in Black Panther

Still, the standout performance for me comes from ... the villain. I don't remember any superhero movie I've ever seen where I was emotionally moved by and involved in the bad guy's backstory. But in this film, Coogler doesn't just provide his muse Michael B. Jordan with a flashy role as the swaggering Erik Killmonger, he also gives him a powerful motivation to do his evil deeds, and a nuanced take on the world that is seductive as hell. Jordan is a magnetic movie star of the first order, and if there was any justice in the world, his one-of-a-kind performance in this film would earn some awards recognition later in the year.

And that being said, as sincere as his performance and the movie is, keep in mind that its strength may be ... its humor. This is one of the most effortlessly funny of all the Marvel films. The humor comes from natural teasing, or unexpectedly clever line readings, or blunt responses amid the tension. Almost every character gets an opportunity to crack a smile either themselves or in the audience, and the tone is totally in keeping with the story's comic book origins. The comedy also helps the film's pacing feel fleet and satisfying. It never loses its audience.

That's especially impressive when it comes to ... its action. There's a phenomenal car chase, some brutal hand-to-hand combat, and an all-out battle scene to rival something out of Lawrence of Arabia. Ryan Coogler proved with Creed that he can stage a virtuoso one-take action sequence, but what he's doing here is next level and perhaps the most underrated part of the film. So many Marvel movies collapse under the weight of their third act CGI, and while yes, this film does have its fair share of semi-chaotic big action set pieces, they are all pretty riveting and visually striking,

Which finally leads me to ... the look. This film gratefully got a bigger budget than some of its other standalone spinoffs like Doctor Strange and Ant-Man, and it shows. It is a loving, detailed portrait of a whole new world, a fully-realized nation with a distinct cultural aesthetic that is immersive and simply glorious. This is a tribute to all the craftspeople who made this magnificent piece of mainstream entertainment possible, including its cinematographer and costume designer (both women!), but it is also, unmistakably, the vision of Coogler, who with just three films has made his presence known as a creative force to be reckoned with, apparently equally capable of small-scale drama and blockbuster extravaganzas.

Black Panther feels like a homecoming for him, and for so many film audience members who have dreamed of seeing a world on screen where they could not just be the heroes, but also be the masters of their own fate.