Marvel exhibited a glistening, prosperous society with Asgard in their Thor films. In Black Panther, they take take it a step further, adding to this featured pearly-looking city an in-depth experience with the unique style, traditions, and beliefs of the hidden African society of Wakanda.

Black Panther is brought to life with a remarkable ensemble cast whose characters demonstrate conflicts that reverberate through our real world. Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther wrestles with his duty to his people verses his moral obligation to an indiscriminate view of humanity. And Michael B. Jordan as the stand-out villain Killmonger holds an understandable, yet extremely misplaced resentment to those that have wronged him and his ancestors.

Without being too preachy, Black Panther handles these and many other internal struggles regarding loyalty and responsibility with great tact, while being the slick, action-packed piece of Marvel entertainment moviegoers like to love.

While the plot points are fairly routine, what Black Panther was able to accomplish with the melding of an underrepresented culture and a superhero arena is astonishing. With timely themes and puzzle-perfect placement within the MCU, Black Panther should not be revered just because it's proper Black-themed entertainment, but because it's truly exceptional filmmaking.

Acting and Casting - 2 | Visual Effects and Editing - 2 | Story and Message - 1 | Entertainment Value - 2 | Music Score and Soundtrack - 2 | Reviewer's Preference - 2 | What does this mean?