You have probably been hearing references to this movie everywhere as of late. It’s the big buzz in the movie biz right now. So, we decided to send two of our staff writers here at the Arrow to go check it out.  Here are their thoughts and experiences. Enjoy!

Staff Writer: Khalila

No wonder it’s the top movie right now. With amazing visuals, cinematography, music, themes, and an even more spectacular cast, Marvel’s new Black Panther sure lives up to all the hype.

A track personally compiled by Kendrick Lamar for the movie is currently sitting at number 1 on Billboard 200. The songs in the album perfectly complement the movie, and constitute a mix of hip-hop, soul, and other genres of music. Oscar’s nominee, cinematographer Rachel Morrison filmed the movie, and the shots work extremely well with Black Panther’s stunning, dark, and colorful visuals. With a roughly 242-million-dollar debut, it’s broken (or very nearly broken) many, many box office records.

The almost completely Black cast consists of stars Chadwick Boseman (King T’Challa), Michael B. Jordan (Erik Killmonger), Lupita Nyong’o (Nakia), Letitia Wright (Princess Shuri), Danai Gurira (Okoye), Daniel Kaluuya (W’Kabi), Sterling K. Brown (N’Jobu), with Martin Freeman (Agent Ross) and Andy Serkis (Klaw). The young director/writer, Ryan Coogler (known for his work in Creed), is also African American.

They all deliver Oscar worthy performances. Everyone is absolutely in love with Letitia Wright’s Princess Shuri, and obsessed with Boseman’s Black Panther. Michael B. Jordan portrays Killmonger in such a way that the antagonist’s actions seem understandable, although immoral, and viewers end up loving him anyways. Besides that, the general representation and diversity the stars offer the Big Screen is a start to something that is much needed in the film society (and in general), and thus, could be one of the most influential movies of the decade.

Black Panther is different than many Marvel movies to date; simultaneously being so incredibly critical and heartfelt. It beautifully portrays general themes such as loyalty, compassion, mercy, and the importance of family in the realistic and enthralling way Marvel is known for. What makes it so different are the political and cultural themes and values that the production company has mostly distanced themselves from in the past. The movie displays the importance of global unity and knowledge, the importance of culture, the dangerous political state the country is in, and most importantly, the problems people of color in America have on a daily basis.

Because of this, Black Panther has become so much more than just another great, top-grossing superhero film by Marvel.

Staff writer: Iran

This movie has got a big impact on the Black community. Why is that? Because after a long time coming, this movie is the first to finally have a black superhero as a main character. But what makes Black Panther even more special than your average superhero movie? I’ve narrowed it down to this observation: it is because even though it is concentrated on the Black community, you can see there is a diversity within the communities present in the movie, even more specifically, between some of the characters. For example, the Wakanda have their own language and a different perception of the world. This for me is the best idea a director has ever made because it is representing that unique differences in people despite skin color.