Wakanda Forever: Representation Matters | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Wakanda Forever: Representation Matters

A look at the most recent Marvel film and why it is super important.

115
Wakanda Forever: Representation Matters
YouTube

This weekend, Marvel released its most recent film "Black Panther" and is breaking the bank with all sorts of different box office records. Earning 361 million dollars just this weekend, the film is earning its place among the superhero tycoons' best movies.

However, money isn't the only way this movie is doing well. People flocked to the theaters for the diversity in its content and cast. With Instagram tags like #wakandastyle featuring various African American fans in traditional garb, and the immense support for the strong female characters in the film, Black Panther could quite easily be the best Marvel film yet.

The film starts off explaining the myth of the Black Panther and giving us more insight into the use of Vibranium (the metal from Cap's Shield) within the country. We then get a small hint of T'Chaka (played by Antandwa Kani) as the Black Panther and what kind of protector he was to Wakanda.

This is followed by taking us back to the present so that we may see that only a week has transpired since the events of Captain America: Civil War and it is time for T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) to rise into the role as king. We then see the rituals involved with becoming the Black Panther as well as becoming king in the fictional African country.

Not to give away too many spoilers, given that the movie did just come out this weekend, the film allows us into a rich culture and world with equal balance of exposition and current action that keeps us interested as well as plenty of breaks from the action to allow us to fall in love with the characters.

An example of this is the younger sister to T'Challa, Shuri (Latita Wright). At just sixteen years old, she is a genius warrior who captures modern sentiments about women and tradition (complaining about her corset for one) while also respecting it. She has the spunk and humor of today's teens as well as a rich cultural background to make her a multifaceted character that many audience members love.

There is also the Dora Milaje, the female guard that protects the royal family at all times. Having been selected from each of the four tribes, they are the best the country has to offer in protecting the king and working alongside the Black Panther. The one we follow the most is Okoye (played by "The Walking Dead's"Danai Gurira). As General and close friend to T'Challa, we see her struggle with her duty and what she believes in.

The final example as to what makes this movie so special is the Michael B. Jordan's Character of Erik Killmonger. As a half Wakandan youth raised outside of the country, we see him follow the struggle of the world (for him specifically African Americans). In doing such he seeks out Wakanda to take over the country and deliver his own justice.

In doing so we are able to see a parallel of Malcolm X (Killmonger) vs. MLK (T'Challa) in a modern light. Though there are much deeper issues at hand, the simplification does do the film justice in allowing for moviegoers to see the differences in the struggle for these people in a society that preaches about it, but maybe doesn't understand it.

In conclusion, the representation of "Black Panther" spans from more than its diverse cast and the use of the one white American character throughout the film (Martin Freeman's Agent Ross). We get strong female characters, a variety of culture mixed with futuristic tech, and relationships that are as complicated as they are dynamic.

Overall, the film was super important to various audience members and has perfected the superhero movie formula. We also gain two post-credit scenes that add to the content of the film and leave us excited for more in May when "Avengers: Infinity War" comes out.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Gilmore Girls
Hypable

In honor of Mother’s Day, I have been thinking of all the things my mom does for my family and me. Although I couldn’t write nearly all of them, here are a few things that moms do for us.

They find that shirt that’s right in front of you, but just you can’t seem to find.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Reasons To Thank Your Best Friend

Take the time to thank that one friend in your life you will never let go of.

2319
Thank You on wooden blocks

1. Thank you for being the one I can always count on to be honest.

A true friend will tell you if the shirt is ugly, or at least ask to borrow it and "accidentally" burn it.

2. Thank you for accepting me for who I am.

A best friend will love you regardless of the stale french fries you left on the floor of your car, or when you had lice in 8th grade and no one wanted to talk to you.

Keep Reading...Show less
sick student
StableDiffusion

Everybody gets sick once in a while, but getting sick while in college is the absolute worst. You're away from home and your mom who can take care of you and all you really want to do is just be in your own bed. You feel like you will have never-ending classwork to catch up on if you miss class, so you end up going sick and then it just takes longer to get better. Being sick in college is really tough and definitely not a fun experience. Here are the 15 stages that everyone ends up going through when they are sick at college.

Keep Reading...Show less
kid
Janko Ferlic
Do as I say, not as I do.

Your eyes widen in horror as you stare at your phone. Beads of sweat begin to saturate your palm as your fingers tremble in fear. The illuminated screen reads, "Missed Call: Mom."

Growing up with strict parents, you learn that a few things go unsaid. Manners are everything. Never talk back. Do as you're told without question. Most importantly, you develop a system and catch on to these quirks that strict parents have so that you can play their game and do what you want.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
tv.com

"Friends" maybe didn’t have everything right or realistic all the time, but they did have enough episodes to create countless reaction GIFs and enough awesomeness to create, well, the legacy they did. Something else that is timeless, a little rough, but memorable? Living away from the comforts of home. Whether you have an apartment, a dorm, your first house, or some sort of residence that is not the house you grew up in, I’m sure you can relate to most of these!

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments