This review is kind of unnecessary. Unless you’ve been living on another planet, you’ve probably already heard all the buzz surrounding Black Panther. It’s a must-see on so many levels. Not just for people of color but for everyone. There’s been a lot of debbie downers out there trying to downplay the significance of this film. To them I say fuck yourself! Now on to the rest of my review.

Black Panther has a unique, multi-generational cast. The talent in this film is superb. It stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, and a spew of other exemplary actors. Everyone gets their shine throughout the story. No one is really a minor character. They’re all connected in some shape or form. Perhaps one of the biggest characters is the fictional nation of Wakanda itself.

A gorgeous world made of advanced technology, Afrofuturism, and African tradition. The cinematography was amazing. My eyes watered from the beauty of the images on-screen. It was so powerful to see Black people portrayed in a positive manner. As heroes, doctors, scientists, and politicians. Not thugs, rapists, drug addicts, and prostitutes. There was no heavy-handed messages or setups for other Marvel properties. It was just an awesome self-contained story.

You don’t need to be a comic book fan or see every superhero movie. There are elements in this movie everyone can appreciate. You get shades of 007, Star Wars, and even The Lion King. If you haven’t already, go see it in a theater near you. The whole family can enjoy this masterpiece from director Ryan Coogler. It has a lot of replay value. I’ve seen it twice myself. Black Panther gets 9.5 out of 10.