Is Black Panther (2018) overrated?

@tj849 said:

According to Rotten Tomatoes, its the greatest film of all time

This can not be real.

In all honestly,its slightly overated by the critic and that is perfectly understandable because for an African American dominant cast its still an excellent film in the superhero genre,slightly better than winter soldier who has been their best stand alone so far,as for whoever said GOTG is better than black panther,that is incredibly false and that's the ultimate truth.

Disgustingly overrated.

No, it’s not overrated. You either liked it or you didn’t. To each their own. Everyone can’t be pleased. That’s said, the movie isn’t for everyone.

As far as the movie being too political (whoever said that shit), the best superhero films have usually have a political agenda in them. Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Dark Knight are two examples. No one complained about them being too political though. Strange. Black Panther being too political isn’t the problem. The problem is that the majority isn’t going to be able to relate to the movie.

EDIT: Fox's X-Men films have a political agenda as well. No one complains about that, though.....

@static_shock: Out of curiosity how did you feel about the movie?

Slightly, but I really enjoyed it though. One of the top MCU films imo.

@jashro44: The movie is phenomenal. It is life for me, as I have an emotional connection with the movie. I saw it three times in one week. LOL. I have some slight criticisms about the movie's CGI, which was good, but could have been a bit better. Some things weren't explained, like why N'Jobu was sent to America in the first place or the overall purpose of the War Dog spies (basically the Hatut Zeraze), or how T'Challa was already enhanced as a Black Panther prior to this movie, but somehow wasn't the king yet. I would have liked the movie to briefly touch on T'Challa's training and studying throughout his life. It was mentioned by T'Chaka in the beginning of the film, but that was it. I don't consider this to be a true origin story at all, but I was able to overlook those things. The movie is very relatable, as it contains many layers that most Black viewers would pick up on:

• The spaceship Bugatti comment.
• The significance of Oakland, CA in the movie, considering that the Black Panther party was formed there in 1966, months after Black Panther was created by Marvel.
• T'Challa and Killmonger's emotional vulnerabilities, which are 1) usually frowned upon within the Black community and viewed as a weakness, and 2) in complete contrast to the superhero archetype, in which heroes are not expected to showing emotional vulnerabilities but expected to keep up a sense of strength and bravado in their endeavors.
• The colors that T'Challa, Nakia, and Okoye wore in Busan (wearing black, green, and red, respectively); they are the same colors as the Pan-African flag.
• M'Baku and crew hushing down Everett Ross, which highlights a lack of respect for White people's uninformed opinions on racial matters that usually don't affect them.
• The tension and/or disconnect between Black Africans and Black Americans. T'Chaka leaving young Killmonger in America after killing his father, Killmonger's comment about how Wakandans are lost, and that they can't find him, and N'Jobu's comment about Wakandans not accepting Killmonger all highlight this
• T'Challa's ability to lean on the female cast for support, uncommon in superhero films.
• The film is a huge nod to Afrofuturism.
• T'Challa's decision to help disadvantaged youth in the end, preventing the possibility of young Black children becoming like Killmonger.
• Many, many, more....

The one thing that sets this movie apart from other superhero movies is Killmonger's portrayal. He isn't even a villain in the traditional sense. He's a villain that has a point, compared to most other villains in the MCU. To a lot of people, Erik was right about a lot of things and was even viewed as the hero in contrast to T'Challa by the audience. There was a parallel there, likening T'Challa and Killmonger to MLK and Malcolm X, respectively; both of them having good points, and neither of them being wrong. Killmonger's plan could be viewed as a necessary evil, however. Interestingly enough, T'Challa, throughout most of the film, was only motivated to bring Klaw to justice. He had no clue what kind of king he wanted to be or how to rule until Killmonger came into the picture. So, although he didn't completely agree with him, he felt his pain and it's like that Killmonger's perspective made sense to him even if T'Challa doesn't admit it in the end. Everything T'Challa did in the end was influenced by Killmonger.

Apart from that, the fight choreography was spectacular and the cinematography in the movie was great, especially during specific scenes.

• The casino fight in Busan, specifically Okoye's part, all being done in one shot as the camera moves from the first floor to the second during her fight scene.
• T'Challa and Killmonger falling through the Vibranium mine while fighting.
• The camera slowly re-positioning itself from an upside down perspective as Killmonger approaches the throne (symbolic shot there).
• Etc, etc....

T'Challa's portrayal mirrored several things about myself and my own life experiences. It felt like I was watching myself in that movie. Although I couldn't completely identify with Killmonger (mainly for cultural reasons and the difference in life experiences), I sympathized with him. I shed some tears when he lost to T'Challa in the end, and I shed even more when he stated that he'd rather die and be buried in the ocean, because he knew death was better than bondage. Even in the beginning, when T'Chaka stated that "a man who doesn't prepare his offspring for his death has failed as a father," it affected me greatly. My father didn't prepare me for shit, and like T'Challa, I'm not ready to be without my father.

Once again, the movie was life. This was a movie that I needed to watch. I can't speak for anyone else's opinion on it. But, the film grossed $700 million in ten days and broke a bunch of box office records. That said, opinions mean very little here if you ask me.

Lastly....
REPRESENTATION MATTERS!

Slightly. It was good, not great; wonky politics.

@static_shock: Glad to hear you liked it! I actually just saw Ryan Cooglers break down of the casino fight where he actually pointed out how the colors T'challa, Okoye, and nakia wore were the colors of the pan-african flag. I thought it was pretty amazing how much thought he put into all of the characters action based on who they were.

All though it seems like you picked up on all that on your own LOL

It's not.

@static_shock: Also regarding T'chaka being not being black panther in civil war there is a tie-in comic which explains T'challa has been black panther since Tony revealed himself to the world. I think T'challa was black panther because T'chaka was old?

In the terms of what it is and what it does purely as a movie; acting, story, cinematography, all the rest of that. Then yes it's overrated, because it's just a well done superhero flick with everything that comes with it and adds very little that hasn't been done before just as well. That the cast is nearly entirely black and the setting is in a nice part of Africa is broadly speaking just a palette swap in terms of craftsmanship.

What raises BP above that however is that it's become a pop-culture phenomenon, and because the cast is almost entirely black and the setting is in a nice part of Africa, it's kinda managed to reinvent the wheel when it comes to superhero movies.

By who? It scored a 97% on RT due to the racial contraversy following the film.

The movie itself was Incredible Hulk level. I found the story generic but had great action.

I can't stop thinking about it. It had so much going for it:

• Great worldbuilding.
• Great action.
• Thought-provoking storyline that explores real-world issues and themes.
• Best CBM villain since Joker in The Dark Knight.
• A distinct, epic, African-influenced soundtrack. Great change of pace from the generic music of past MCU efforts.
• A compelling, flawed, perfectly cast protagonist. I loved T'Challa realising that past leaders and generations of the country (including his father who he admired) aren't perfect. Exploring the conflict between being a hero and being a prince was compelling and fresh.
• Badass female characters.

My only issues are some of the placement of humour and some of the CGI action. Not overrated at all in my opinion.

It’s a pretty good movie, but it is kind of overrated. It’s no where near the level of the Dark Knight in quality. It’s not even in the top 5 best MCU movies.

Underated...never understood besides nostalgia what makes the Dark Knight better.. Logan level of good...

Kinda overrated.

Problem about Black Panther movie is that it is racist movie.

@bigcimmerian: How is it racist?

Haven't seen it, and probably won't til DVD.

I can see why you'd believe that nonsense....

@jashro44: I'll have to watch that video. :)

Seems like that could be the case. I would have liked to see who T'Challa defeated in ritual combat prior to becoming the Black Panther.

Maybe no one challenged him.

@fangdanerd said:

@mickey-mouse said:

Comicvine Overrated: I don’t like this thing and you shouldn’t like it either....

thank you for the definition so now i can be proper viner

If anything, it's underrated as a film.

Watched it yesterday for the 2nd time in 3D, it’s a great movie

Maybe, maybe not.

I'd have liked a little more T'Challa and a little less Shuri.

Just like WW, the movie was extremely politicized months before it's release. It was elevated to a point beyond hype so, barring any extreme failure, it was bound to be extremely successful and well received. The quality of BB can never live up to the pedestal people put it on. It would literally have to be the next Citizen Kane or The Godfather to not be overhyped. As it is, however, it's an above average MCU movie.....so....yeah....it's overrated.

Wow. I haven't seen it yet, but from all of this I have to say I'm more than a little curious. That crazy rating on Rotten Tomatoes is hilarious.

Cool, I'm exciting to watch it now.

Nope I enjoyed it as did many others. It was great overall.

Honestly, yes. I just saw it today and I thought it was a very good CBM, even great as a film in general. Among the best MCU movies (top 3 or 5 for me). But, the reaction to this movie reminds me of Logan x10. I can understand why black people would think Black Panther was 10/10 best CBM ever blah blah blah. Though the way the media blew this movie up is mind blowing. It's like people are acting as if this was some sort of all time masterpiece that rivals the GOAT movies. Get real guys. Yes, the movie was different, actually had a great villain, great story, etc. But come on. Same overhyped bullshit that happened to Wonder Woman and Logan.

By critics it definitely is, but it's also an extremely solid film nonetheless.

So 54% of the people taking this poll agree that Black Panther is the best super hero movie ever?

Seen it twice now. This movie is exceptional and not overrated in the slightest.

I enjoyed it too, but I do not think it is the best super hero movie ever. BP is currently critically favored above ALL super hero films (by a pretty decent margin) and it is on the way to becoming the top grossing domestic super hero film ever.

Lack of white people, lgbt and muslims in Wakanda disturbed me.

No.

No. By critic standards? Perhaps

I voted no. But I think it is better than Ragnarok. Also a lot of MCU movies are rater over going by RT ratings. some of the very worst movies get 90+.

Yes. I liked it, but it isn't the amazing movie many people are making it out to be. It was just another good MCU movie, not even the best one IMO.

Yes, it's overrated.

Pretty much this. Loved the film, but I would have loved it more three years ago. It was one of the better Marvel films, and the socio-political commentary added a new perspective, but it still just felt like another Marvel film, despite how well it was executed.

No, and what do folks mean by "too political"? A lot of comics have political messages. It's almost as if some people are thrown off by the message because it may make them feel uncomfortable.

@x_insignia1: Yeah, this idea that the film is "too political" is pretty juvenile, and short sighted. When Civil War asked questions of how The Avengers fit into the world, to what extent they are culpable in the events they are, and are not, a part of, and to what extent they should be involving themselves in world events, it added philosophy (depth) to the Marvel U. But when you replace "Avengers' with "Wakandans" and ask the same questions, suddenly it becomes "too political" for some people.

noob