Black Panther is going to be so lit, I’m almost not ready for it

Films

Nola Ojomu

Black Panther is going to be so lit, I’m almost not ready for it
Michael B. Jordan and Chadwick Boseman (Picture: Disney/Marvel Studios)

We are just days away from the release of Black Panther and I honestly don’t think I’m ready for what is about to go down.

The first reactions and reviews that flooded our time lines were full of praise for the film and made my excitement levels reach fever pitch.

Sterling K. Brown had already confirmed this film is will be amazing when he told reporters at the Critics’ Choice Awards that people aren’t ready for the way it is going to affect people.

‘They ain’t ready bro! You’re going to get all the bells and whistles that you get from a Marvel film – but the message, like, they aren’t even ready for the message,’ he said.

‘It’s going to hit people, like on the entertainment value and then a soul level. This movie works on all levels. It’s beautiful.’

Sterling and the critics don’t have to tell me twice, I already know I am going to get MY LIFE from this film for several reasons.

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I’m not ready for the unapologetic display of Black Excellence.

I don’t have to explain why this film is particularly important to the black members of the audience; the world knows we’ve been waiting far too long for this moment.

For years we’ve had to make do with black superhero characters just being part of the ensemble – Don Cheadle’s War Machine, Anthony Mackie’s Falcon, Halle Berry’s Storm etc. And aside from the Blade trilogy, the odd film like Hancock and the relatively new Netflix series Luke Cage, black superheroes just haven’t been seen leading the charge very much.

What makes Black Panther so exciting is that fact it is going to be more than just a token film to tick the box, it is going to be a film that holds its own alongside all the other blockbusters and superhero flicks.

Black Panther is going to be so lit, I’m almost not ready for it
T’Challa is a strong as Captain America, smarter than Mr Fantastic, richer than Tony Stark (Picture: Disney/Marvel Studios)

T’Challa is a strong as Captain America, smarter than Mr Fantastic, richer than Tony Stark and directly descends from a line of Kings and Queens who he turns to and learns from when facing his present dangers.

Wakanda is a fictional African country that has never been colonized and is actually a world leader in technology because of Vibranium.

For a superhero this epic to be a black man and portrayed on screens across the world as an African literally blows my mind.

And once I’ve just about recovered from it all, one look at the epic melanin rich cast sets me off all over again; Michael B(ae) Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya, Lupita N’Yongo, Sterling K. Brown, Forest Whitaker, ANGELA FREAKING BASSETT… I just can’t cope with the magnificence.

Plus director Ryan Coogler has pretty much perfected the ability to make epic films that feature fully rounded black characters so I know he’ll ensure the film is full of heart and humour, ticks the action boxes and also hits the audience with powerful message.

He had me completely in my feelings with Fruitvale Station and Creed so it goes without saying that he’ll ensure the film is exactly what we need it to be.

I’m not ready for the way it will prove old Hollywood wrong.

Black Panther is going to show the world that a black superhero film can appeal to an international audience, that a film led by a mainly black cast can break records AND make a powerful impact on the box office records.

Black Panther is going to be so lit, I’m almost not ready for it
The Dora Milaje (Picture: Disney/Marvel Studios)

From the feedback I’ve seen so far, Wakanda is fully representing Africa and critics see that as one of Black Panther’s strengths. This film will finally prove that you don’t have to make a movie that is mainly concerned with catering to a white audience in order for it to be a success.

We’ve already seen a hint of the joyful change in the land of cinema in recent months and Black Panther can follow in the footsteps of Get Out, Girls Trip and Wonder Woman by proving that there is a massive audience for stories that don’t just centre around a white man.

Black Panther has already smashed the ticket presales record which was previously held by Captain America: Civil War.

And the official guestimation for its opening weekend predicts Black Panther could pull in around $100-$120 million which would see it slot in nicely with other Marvel film opening weekends such as Spider-Man: Homecoming and Thor: Ragnarok.

Not too bad, right? I can only hope it bring in even more and blows everyone away.

More: Film

I’m not ready for how lit Halloween is going to be from now on.

Ethnic minorities have always had a bit of a struggle when it comes to Halloween costumes and just dressing up in general. Unlike our fairer skinned friends, our options have always been rather limited.

Obviously black kids have always dressed up like super heroes such as Batman and Superman but it is going to feel so good to see loads of them kitted up as the characters from Black Panther this year.

Black Panther is going to be so lit, I’m almost not ready for it
Halloween will be SO LIT (Picture: Disney/Marvel Studios)

There have been a few options up until now but let’s be honest dressing up as Storm is no easy task when you still a kid. Now they are going to have the option of new kick ass characters who look like them and their family members that are just as awesome other characters in superhero flicks.

And us big kids will take full advantage of the new costumes too!

I’m not ready for how blessed the next generations will be because of this.

Black Panther hitting the big screen now means that my future son/daughter/niece/nephew is going to be able to find films, books, toys and costumes of characters who they can look up to and be inspired by. And I can’t even begin to explain why that makes my heart feel so full.

Growing up in a world where all the best characters and heroes looked nothing like me sucked. It’s as simple as that.

What’s worse is I accepted early on that it’s just the way things are.

Black Panther is going to be so lit, I’m almost not ready for it
The next generation will have a chance to know what it feels like to be represented completely in mainstream movies (Picture: Disney / Marvel Studios)

But now the next generation will have a chance to know what it feels like to be represented completely in mainstream movies; Black Panther will hopefully spawn even more films, books and TV shows with ethnic superheroes who are just as inspiring as Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman and all the rest.

I honestly feel like we are literally going to speak about the history of black-led blockbusters based on Black Panther.

Before BP and After BP are going to be two completely different worlds when it officially hits screens in February; in fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if we literally feel the Earth shake at its core from the power of the reactions the world will have to this film.

Life after Black Panther is going to be so damn lit and I’m going to do all I can to be ready for it.

Black Panther is out in the UK on 13 February 2018.

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