Why Black Panther Is Going To Be LIT {and I haven’t even seen it}

Black Panther drops in theaters next month. With all the news and excitement about Marvel’s newest film, I’m sharing my feelings and thoughts about why Black Panther is going to be LIT, and I haven’t even seen the movie!  Share your thoughts below.

Why Black Panther Is Going To Be LIT {and I haven’t even seen it}

I didn’t grow up reading the comics like my husband (who’s inner geek cannot WAIT To see this movie), but I have watched every single Marvel movie and waited for anticipation for the next one. As much as this girl loves a romantic comedy flick, we all know how they end- the girl gets the guy of her dreams. What I have always loved and appreciated in action-packed superhero movies, is they are all versatile, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the last credit rolls. Yes, Marvel knows how to entertain the masses, and considering how much effort, time, and talent put into Black Panther, I know it’s going to be good, and I haven’t even seen the movie yet. 

I’m sure many of you have already heard the buzz, watched the trailer, read the comic books, and scooping up everything you can while you anxiously await for February. Well, besides it being my birthday month, it’s also known as Black History Month (although we celebrate all.the.time.), it’s also the debut of the highly anticipated movie from Marvel Studios and Disney, Black Panther. 

I remember when T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) made his first appearance in Captain America: Civil War. The gasps in the movie theater and reading reviews later on only told us how widely popular this movie was going to be- whenever Marvel dropped it. 

And then that day came. February 16, 2018, Black Panther will be showing in theaters around the country. With excitement and anxiously awaiting buzz flying around about the next movie in Marvel’s franchise, let me break it down to you on WHY this one is a BIG deal! 

Representation matters. As much as I love ALL the Marvel movies, I’ve always wanted to see more representation of myself onscreen, for my boys and husband. As an African American and a woman, Black Panther is bringing THAT and more. My boys grew up watching Spiderman, Batman, The Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, and the rest of the Avengers. To have a superhero that looks like them onscreen is HUGE.

Black Women represent. Yes, this film features a black superhero, but that’s not all. I think I may be MORE excited about all the black women portrayed in this 99.9% black movie. Queen Ramonda and the Dora Milaje, an all-female group of elite bodyguards, is SLAYING, y’all! I’ve already died. I mean, I’ve already had a girl crush on Angela Basset; and just from looking at the trailers, she is bringing it as Queen Ramonda, which is a fitting role for the queen that she is- YASS, I’m here for all of it! And no, I haven’t forgotten about the gorgeous Lupita Nyong’o, who plays Nakia (part of the Dora Milaje and a Wakandan spy). 

The music will be lit. It was recently announced that Kendrick Lamar is producing “Black Panther: The Album.”  You can hear All the Stars, part of the soundtrack, by going here. With this announcement, it solidifies this as a continuation of the black empowerment happening. Lamar had this to say, “The magnitude of this film showcases a great marriage of art and culture. I’m truly honored to contribute my knowledge of producing sound and writing music alongside director Ryan Cooger and Marvel’s vision.”

If the trailer is lit, the movie is going to slay. Speaking of music, the music in the trailer has me PUMPED! We’re only getting snippets of the movie, but I’m over here saying, “where do I give all my money?” “Black Panther trailer soundtrack is the famous spoken word piece “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” by Gil Scott-Heron, from 1971. The actual song in the Black Panther trailer is “BagBak” by Vince Staples, which marries futuristic-sounding techno beats with hip-hop bass, for a song about being black in modern America and trying to seize a piece of the American Dream in the midst of racism and constant threats like police shootings.” {Source}

Wakanda. It’s on my bucket list to travel to Africa one day; as well as the first international trip my 12-year-old wants to take, and I plan to make it a reality for him. And while Wakanda may not be a real place, it highlights how beautiful and rich of a country Africa really is– Wakanda is a fictional location, but we will all get a glimpse of it next month! 

Because of AAA. There are so many fantastic African-American actors in this film. I already mentioned my love for Angela Basset, but let me tell you about a few others that are making Black Panther the movie of the year already. I’m also excited to see Danai Gurira in a new light. I’ve loved her since first watching her in The Walking Dead. And if she can slay a few thousands of walkers, I can’t wait to see what she does in Black Panther! 

• Ryan Coogler {Director} 
• Chadwick Boseman {T’Challa / Black Panther}
• Michael B. Jordan {Erik Killmonger}
• Lupita Nyong’o {Nakia}
• Angela Bassett {Ramonda}
• Forest Whitaker {Zuri}
• Danai Gurira {Okoye}
• Daniel Kaluuya {W’Kabi}
• Letitia Wright {Shuri}
• Winston Duke {M’Baku}

Dark-Skinned Actors get the respect they deserve. Black Panther is a cast made up of mostly dark-skinned black actors. How many times have our skin color been tossed aside for a lighter “us.” No disrespect to any of my sisters and brothers of [lighter] color, but it’s a beautiful day when a movie of this caliber boast of a 99.9% all black, dark-skinned cast!

Many  more reasons why Black Panther will be LIT:

• It’s the first black superhero in mainstream American comics. 
• The costumes and designs by Oscar nominee Ruth E. Carter are already showing promise, and now we all need to have a dashiki. 
• The set of Wakanda is all high-tech and futuristic, something we haven’t seen in most Marvel movies. 
• Black people do the most. I love us. And I’m loving all of the memes, Black Twitter going wild over this movie, and the watch parties already sold out to Black Panther. I mean, we are taking it seriously, down to what we are wearing and who are going to see this movie with– we do the most, and I love it! 
• This movie is just not about black celebration, but it again, shows that Marvel and Disney know how to entertain the crowds with a movie that (I’m predicting) will exceed many of Marvel’s previously opening week records. 
• And I’m totally peeping the date of when this movie comes out, during Black History Month. 
• The director, Ryan Coogler puts his own stamp on this movie. And if you loved him in some of his previous work (Creed, Fruitville), then you already know what time it is! 
• Black Panther will set its own course on its own terms. Prepare yourself that Black Panther will be different than any other Marvel film you have watched. I haven’t even seen this movie, but based on everything I have read and watched, I already know this movie is going to set the stage- in a BIG way. 

What is Black Panther all about? If you’re not familiar with the comics, haven’t watched the trailers, let me give you a little synopsis. 

Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.

Learn more about Black Panther by reading a post by my friend, Choya with Just A Splash of Diva, Black Panther 101. 

Stay tuned for MORE Black Panther excitement to come here on the blog, including some party ideas, with our exclusive Black Panther Cocktail and more! 

In the meantime, what y’all wearing to the premiere? Drop me a line below and let me know your thoughts about Black Panther! 

Get more information and follow along: 

• Marvel.com
• Like on Facebook
• Follow on Twitter and Instagram 

And be sure to follow the #BlackPantherSoLIT and #BlackPanther on Twitter to get the latest news, updates, and share your excitement about this movie coming out next month, February 16th! 

P.S. a NEW featurette was just released! Check it out:

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