On February 16 of this year, the highly anticipated Marvel film, Black Panther, made its way to theaters worldwide. The film immediately gained a wide variety of responses from the public, accumulating a ground-breaking $1.25 billion in box office, setting a new record. Without hesitation, Black Panther was able to become a global and cultural phenomenon.
The movie is centered around a the technologically advanced African nation known as Wakanda. When the king of this nation passes, his son, T’Challa, returns home to take over as king. Along with being king, T’Challa acquires the powers of Black Panther. When a unsuspected enemy becomes a threat to Wakanda, it’s up to T’Challa, his allies, and the power of the Black Panther to protect their beloved country.
Black Panther isn’t just another typical sci-fi action movie, it has a true cultural impact. In the film, there was a massive amount of diverse cultural representation. The movie immerses itself in the overlooked beauty of African culture that has often been portrayed as barbarous and chaotic in American media. It allows audiences across the world to really feel like they’re a part of this fantasy society.
Sophomore Mariana Ramirez-Velasco described Black Panther as “amazing and spectacular.” She believes that the film changes the way the public views what a true hero really is. “In my opinion, the movie shows that a good ruler is what makes a kingdom successful. It depends on who you are and what makes you who you are,” says Ramirez-Velasco. “This film shows that race doesn’t matter, that anyone can be a superhero. It’s actions and good character that make a hero, not appearance. Everyone’s equal.”