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Raisedon Baya
IN my last article I promised to do a review of Black Panther but there has been a lot of reviews of the film, too many reviews if you ask me. Honestly speaking, another review would not make any difference. Usually reviews are meant to give audiences ideas of what to expect from a film or work of art — a good review will encourage people to go out in their numbers and see the film or work of art while a bad review may discourage audience to go and see the film or work of art.
In the past two weeks Black Panther has had so much good reviews that nothing one says now will change anything. The verdict is out. Black Panther is a must see movie for all of Africa and beyond.
I went to see the film with my family. I will never forget the face of my daughter after the movie. It glowed with pride. She understood what the film was all about. I had actually planned to attend the Bulawayo premiere of the movie but unfortunately missed. Word in the streets is that people dressed up in their fancy African attires for the premier. The social media is awash with pictures of takes at the premier. And most of those that saw the film had nothing but words of praise for the superhero movie. They praised the acting. The story. The beautiful costume. Beautiful scenography. People literally raved about this movie.
I was one of those that came out screaming a lot of good things about the film. Because of the genre the film was able to get away with a lot of things.
But most importantly it left us feeling good about ourselves, especially about being black. In simply terms it is a feel good film about a young king who has to defend his rich kingdom against an evil threatening his kingdom and its riches away. I loved how the different tribes seemed to live and share the land in harmony. But it was the whole philosophy around the film that took my breath away. The acting was effortless, superb. Our own Danai Gurira was in a class of her own as the army general.
Lupita Nyong’o was also outstanding — a natural African beauty. Since her Oscar-winning performance in 12 Years a Slave Lupita has been amazing. There is also Atandwa Kani who deserves special mention too. I loved the way he just changed from the usual playful characters I have seen him play in some South Africa dramas to something serious and royal in Black Panther.
The magic for me was Hollywood portraying an Africa country in a very positive way (very unusual). Wakanda is magical. All inclusive. The beauty of this film lies is seeing an African country not ruled by a bloody thirsty dictator ruling like he is some mini god. An African country not ravaged by disease and malnutrition. An African country at peace with itself, where women are not just child producing machine but have a special role to play in the politics and running of the country.
Here is an African country that is technically savvy and a leader in new technology — James Bond can come to Wakanda and look like a village boy. An African country looking like a first world country. I think that is what worked. The film has everyone dreaming again – dreaming that Africa can be that magical. What Black Panther has done is to allow many of us, especially Africans, to dream again and to see possibilities that we have all along shied away from. This is a good film that I can watch again and again and still sing Wakanda forever!
Online Reporter