The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s latest entry, “Black Panther,” had its world premiere Monday night in Los Angeles and critics’ early reactions are already rolling in.
With full reviews embargoed until Feb. 6 at 9 a.m., film fans were quick to share their thoughts on the Chadwick Boseman-starrer.
See some of the first reactions below:
Jen Yamato of the Los Angeles Times calls it “incredible, kinetic, purposeful. A superhero movie about why representation & identity matters, and how tragic it is when those things are denied to people. The [first] MCU movie about something real; Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger had me weeping and he’s the VILLAIN.”
BLACK PANTHER is incredible, kinetic, purposeful. A superhero movie about why representation & identity matters, and how tragic it is when those things are denied to people. The 1st MCU movie about something real; Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger had me weeping and he’s the VILLAIN — jen yamato (@jenyamato) January 30, 2018
Natasha Alford of The Grio wrote that the “nuances and details in the #BlackPanther storyline are impeccable. I didn’t feel pandered to, stereotyped, or turned off. I felt incredible pride at every turn and these are fictional characters.”
The nuances and details in the #BlackPanther storyline are impeccable. I didn’t feel pandered to, stereotyped or turned off. I felt incredible pride at every turn and these are fictional characters. Like, that’s a real accomplishment. — Natasha Alford 🇵🇷 (@NatashaSAlford) January 30, 2018
If you don’t understand the power of representation, imagine growing up never seeing a superhero who looks like you. When American Girl dolls came out I always picked Addy who had to escape slavery. But now kids have #BlackPanther’s Nakia, Shuri and Okoye. Dope on many levels. — Natasha Alford 🇵🇷 (@NatashaSAlford) January 30, 2018
ReBecca Theodore-Vachon of Entertainment Weekly wrote that “Ryan Coogler has changed [the] game for MCU” and that “Lupita Nyong’o and Danai Gurai bring the heat.”
Y'all. Y'ALL. Y'ALL. #BlackPanther is everything I wanted and so much more. Ryan Coogler has changed game for MCU. My God. pic.twitter.com/12dfz0xKkk — ReBecca Theodore-Vachon (@FilmFatale_NYC) January 30, 2018
Lupita Nyong'o and Danai Gurai bring the heat in #BlackPanther. Their action scenes had the audience cheering and clapping. I loved every second. pic.twitter.com/tmHcWMTnW6 — ReBecca Theodore-Vachon (@FilmFatale_NYC) January 30, 2018
Geeks of Color wrote that “Black Panther” is the “best movie ever” and that it was “by far the best marvel movie to date.”
Black Panther is the best MCU movie ever. I was blown away from start to finish and I’m not even being biased. This was by far the best marvel movie to date. Thank you, Ryan Coogler! #BlackPanther pic.twitter.com/8Qh0hlOYAb — Geeks of Color (@GeeksOfColor) January 30, 2018
Steven Weintraub of Collider wrote that he was “very impressed with the story and filmmaking. [Michael B. Jordan] absolutely kills it as the villain and is the best one since Loki.”
#marvel does it again with 'Black Panther'. Very impressed with the story and filmmaking. @michaelb4jordan absolutely kills it as the villain and is the best one since Loki. Also @DanaiGurira kicks so much ass and I loved every second of it. Going to make serious $. pic.twitter.com/YBrg2x3Nnz — Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) January 30, 2018
Peter Sciretta of SlashFilm said that “Black Panther” “looks, feels and sounds unlike any Marvel film to date” and called it “Marvels (sic) most political movie.” Sciretta predicted that the film will receive be nominated for costume, art, and production design awards.
Ryan Coogler knocked it out of the park, some great sequences presented in a “single take/shot.” If this movie isn’t nominated for costume, art and production design awards next year, I would be seriously shocked. #blackpanther — Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) January 30, 2018
Angie J. Han of Mashable said that she “never wanted this movie to end…Solid action, smart story, tons of personality…[Director Ryan] Coogler has done it again.”
#BlackPanther: I never wanted this movie to end, and as soon as it did I wanted to go back. Solid action, smart story, tons of personality. Shuri is my new fave, Nakia is everything, Killmonger is incredible, T'Challa deserves to rule the MCU. Coogler has done it again. 💜🖤💙 pic.twitter.com/t9gG3DLuCL — Angie J. Han (@ajhan) January 30, 2018
Kyle Buchanan of New York Magazine/Vulture wrote that “the MVP of ‘Black Panther’ is Letitia Wright’s hilarious, ebullient Shuri.”
The MVP of #BlackPanther is Letitia Wright's hilarious, ebullient Shuri. I want a Shuri supercut, I want a Shuri spinoff, I want a capsule collection of Shuri sportswear at Opening Ceremony, and I want these things now! — Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) January 30, 2018
A gay man's guide to BLACK PANTHER: This movie has more shirtless wrestling than RIVERDALE and more tear-stained cheeks than a Julianne Moore clip reel — Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) January 30, 2018
Erik Davis of Fandango said that “Black Panther” is the “James Bond of the MCU…It’s bold, beautiful & intense, but there’s a depth & spiritualness that is unlike anything Marvel has ever done…The best part of ‘Black Panther’ is how it unravels this deeply emotional & complex story about family ties and protecting your tribe.”
#BlackPanther is exceptional – the James Bond of the MCU. You've seen nothing like this in a superhero movie – it's bold, beautiful & intense, but there's a depth & spiritualness that is unlike anything Marvel has ever done. It's 100% African & it is dope af. pic.twitter.com/Z77IjnIjf2 — ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) January 30, 2018
The best part of #BlackPanther is how it unravels this deeply emotional & complex story about family ties & protecting your tribe. While lots will tout Michael B. Jordan as the stand-out, my favs were Danai Gurira & especially BP's lil sis, Letitia Wright pic.twitter.com/VSEwa98BnI — ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) January 30, 2018
Lastly, #BlackPanther is an audience movie. See it with a crowd cause they will be loud. It is a very proud movie & a female first movie, and I hope it crushes at the box office, paving the way for a future full of much greater representation pic.twitter.com/OBAmAt8eZL — ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) January 30, 2018
Brian Truitt of USA Today wrote that “Black Panther” is “simply awesome” and has a “deep bench of memorable characters.”
#BlackPanther is simply awesome. Extremely bold and as touching as it is thrilling, it boasts GOT-style intrigue, crazy innovative action and a deep bench of memorable characters. Top 5 all-time Marvel movie, easy. More later. pic.twitter.com/mmz8Nuf1sy — Brian Truitt (@briantruitt) January 30, 2018
Marc Bernardin said that at “first blush: majestic.”
So…#BlackPanther. So much to digest. But first blush: Majestic. — Marc Bernardin (@marcbernardin) January 30, 2018
James Gunn commended Ryan Coogler, calling the film “extraordinary work.”
Extraordinary work by Ryan Coogler and company! #BlackPanther #WakandaForever! — James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 30, 2018
Tre’vell Anderson of the L.A. Times wrote that “Black Panther” is a “love letter about blackness” and that “this world’s livelihood is in our blood.”
#BlackPanther is a love letter about blackness, to a world that often ghettoizes it without realizing that it is on black backs that this planet revolves. This world’s livelihood is in our blood. pic.twitter.com/FscW1hWbI6 — Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) January 30, 2018
The Wrap’s Umberto Gonzalez wrote that “the argument can be made for #BlackPanther being the best Marvel film ever” and that it’s “a film that elevates the superhero genre to new heights.”
I think the argument can be made for #BlackPanther being the best Marvel film ever! Just got out of premiere & overwhelmed at the imagery, the majesty, & a film that elevates the superhero genre to new heights. pic.twitter.com/LSkWEconB4 — Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) January 30, 2018
Cheo Hodari Coker, the creator and showrunner of Marvel’s “Luke Cage” had nothing praise for the “Cooglerization” of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Black Panther is essential. Incredible. Revolutionary. Woke. Fun. I can’t stop thinking about it. The Cooglerization of the Marvel Universe is exhilarating. — Cheo Hodari Coker (@cheo_coker) January 30, 2018
And “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Creed” actress Tessa Thompson had a short (but sweet) reaction…
The hype around Black Panther was certainly palpable.
It already has the biggest pre-sale numbers for a Marvel movie, and even Lupita Nyong'o — who plays Nakia in the film — struggled to get tickets for the opening night.
Following the global premiere, press were able to share their initial thoughts on the movie on social media from 1 a.m. ET Tuesday. And fortunately, it looks like we can all truly believe in the excitement.
As Mashable's movie reporter Angie Han wrote on Twitter:
#BlackPanther: I never wanted this movie to end, and as soon as it did I wanted to go back. Solid action, smart story, tons of personality. Shuri is my new fave, Nakia is everything, Killmonger is incredible, T'Challa deserves to rule the MCU. Coogler has done it again. 💜🖤💙 pic.twitter.com/t9gG3DLuCL — Angie J. Han (@ajhan) January 30, 2018
Of course, Black Panther is a Marvel film unlike any other, or heck, any film out there. It's the first superhero movie with a black lead: Chadwick Boseman. Kendrick Lamar and SZA are on the soundtrack. Ryan Coogler is the first black director of a Marvel movie.
All of this is promising, and the result is thrilling.
It's a film that will inspire
#BlackPanther is also the latest and certainly biggest film to show Oakland love. Ryan Coogler really did that for the Bay. Imagine all the kids who will see themselves onscreen so deliberately - for a movie to tell you that you are seen like this one does is just beyond words — jen yamato (@jenyamato) January 30, 2018
WOW. Black Panther will change the landscape of superhero movies forever. Expect and demand more from Hollywood. The stories its denied us for so long don’t just *deserve* to be told — they will save blockbusters from total irrelevance and creative bankruptcy. — Jess Joho (@liongirl528) January 30, 2018
BLACK PANTHER is incredible, kinetic, purposeful. A superhero movie about why representation & identity matters, and how tragic it is when those things are denied to people. The 1st MCU movie about something real; Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger had me weeping and he’s the VILLAIN — jen yamato (@jenyamato) January 30, 2018
The film's design is out of this world
Ryan Coogler knocked it out of the park, some great sequences presented in a “single take/shot.” If this movie isn’t nominated for costume, art and production design awards next year, I would be seriously shocked. #blackpanther — Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) January 30, 2018
Black Panther is set to be one of Marvel's greats
#BlackPanther is simply awesome. Extremely bold and as touching as it is thrilling, it boasts GOT-style intrigue, crazy innovative action and a deep bench of memorable characters. Top 5 all-time Marvel movie, easy. More later. pic.twitter.com/mmz8Nuf1sy — Brian Truitt (@briantruitt) January 30, 2018
#marvel does it again with 'Black Panther'. Very impressed with the story and filmmaking. @michaelb4jordan absolutely kills it as the villain and is the best one since Loki. Also @DanaiGurira kicks so much ass and I loved every second of it. Going to make serious $. pic.twitter.com/YBrg2x3Nnz — Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) January 30, 2018
It's black and it's proud
Yes this will be the Blackest movie of all time! Excellent special effects, compelling story line, brilliant performances! This will go down in history as Marvel’s best! #BlackPanther #BlackPantherSoLIT — Jamie “Is February 16 2018 Here Yet?” Broadnax (@JamieBroadnax) January 30, 2018
#BlackPanther is riveting on many levels: visually astonishing, but more importantly, so unpredictable. Incredible to watch a major blockbuster celebrate blackness while exploring its relationship to various facets of pop culture. “Stop scaring me,” colonizer!” #wakanda4ever — erickohn (@erickohn) January 30, 2018
And the representation of Black women in #BlackPanther made me feel seen. Seen in a way other superhero movies have not done well. pic.twitter.com/xrzVP5SLu6 — ReBecca Theodore-Vachon (@FilmFatale_NYC) January 30, 2018
#BlackPanther is black, beautiful and proud. A gorgeously shot film with heart, action, and a message that is so needed today. The women shine bright, bold and strong and are everything women of color have been denied... till now. #RyanCoogler is a genius. LONG LIVE THE KING!! pic.twitter.com/oYHxk0qg4G — Yolanda Machado (@SassyMamainLA) January 30, 2018
#BlackPanther is exceptional - the James Bond of the MCU. You've seen nothing like this in a superhero movie - it's bold, beautiful & intense, but there's a depth & spiritualness that is unlike anything Marvel has ever done. It's 100% African & it is dope af. pic.twitter.com/Z77IjnIjf2 — ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) January 30, 2018
BLACK PANTHER is black as fuck and I love it for it. Y'all don't understand how good it feels to see. I want to live in Wakanda. #BlackPanther #BlackPantherSoLit pic.twitter.com/mRCblLq8cj — Brandon Norwood (@bwood0824) January 30, 2018
Look, can we just see it already?
BLACK PANTHER is the most spiritual Marvel movie yet! Family and heritage is a big part of the story — there are moments in this movie that get real deep. Danai Gurira is a scene-stealer and the movie elevates whenever Michael B. Jordan shows up. #BlackPanther pic.twitter.com/KIxiAItnEY — Jason Guerrasio (@JasonGuerrasio) January 30, 2018
.#BlackPanther is phenomenal to say the least! All cylinders from direction, acting, production design, costumes and action are Aces!!! — Wilson Morales (@blackfilm) January 30, 2018
The Black Panther hype train is officially in motion following the Marvel film's Los Angeles premiere on Monday night (29 January).
Ryan Coogler (Creed) debuted his film to the world at a star-studded event which saw him joined by his cast including warrior king T'Challa himself, Chadwick Boseman, as well as Lupita Nyong'o, Angela Bassett and Best Actor nominee Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out).
Initial reactions have rather unanimously pitched Black Panther as a runaway success with those fortunate to have attended the premiere praising the film as one of Marvel's greatest films to date.
“Yes this will be the Blackest movie of all time,” one viewer raved in reference to the film's cast - also including Michael B. Jordan, Danai Gurira and Letitia Wright - which is the first black ensemble to lead a film of this size. Another praised the film for its “gorgeous and beautiful” focus on black women.
Much praise went to Coogler's depiction of fictional country Wakanda while Jordan's villain Erik Kilmonger has been branded the best since Loki.
27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018
27 show all 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018
1/27 Black Panther Released: 12 February Director: Ryan Coogler Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Forest Whitaker, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman
2/27 The Greatest Showman Released: 1 January Director: Michael Gracey Cast: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya,
3/27 Darkest Hour Released: 12 January Director: Joe Wright Cast: Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ben Mendelsohn
4/27 Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri Released: 12 January Director: Martin McDonagh Cast: Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Caleb Landry Jones > Twentieth Century Fox
5/27 Coco Released: 19 January Director: Lee Unkrich ,p> Cast: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Renée Victor
6/27 Downsizing Released: 19 January Director: Alexander Payne Cast: Matt Damon, Christopher Waltz, Jong Chau, Kristen Wiig, Jason Sudeikis
7/27 Early Man Released: 26 January Director: Nick Park Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Maisie Williams, Timothy Spall
8/27 Fifty Shades Freed Released: 9 February Director: James Foley Cast: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Kim Basinger
9/27 Maze Runner: The Death Cure Released: 9 February Director: Wes Ball Cast: Dylan O'Brien, Thomas Brodie Sangster, Kaya Scodelario, Giancarlo Esposito, Aidan Gillen
10/27 The Shape of Water Released: 16 February Director: Guillermo del Toro Cast: Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon, Michael Stuhlbarg, Doug Jones
11/27 Annihilation Released: 23 February Director: Alex Garland Cast: Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Lee, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, Oscar Isaac
12/27 Dark River Released: 23 February Director: Clio Barnard Cast: Ruth Wilson, Mark Stanley, Sean Bean
13/27 Red Sparrow Released: 2 March Director: Francis Lawrence Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Jeremy Irons
14/27 Tomb Raider Released: 16 March Director: Roar Uthaug Cast: Alicia Vikander, Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu, Dominic West,
15/27 A Wrinkle in Time Released: 23 March Director: Ava DuVernay Cast: Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Zach Galifianakis
16/27 Pacific Rim: Uprising Released: 23 March Director: Steven S. DeKnight Cast: John Boyega, Scott Eastwood, Charlie Day, Burn Gorman
17/27 Roman J Israel, Esq Released: 23 March Director: Dan Gilroy Cast: Denzel Washington, Colin Farrell, Carmen Ejogo Columbia Pictures
18/27 Isle of Dogs Released: 30 March Director: Wes Anderson Cast: Bill Murray, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton, Scarlett Johansson
19/27 Ready Player One Released: 30 March Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Rylance, Simon Pegg
20/27 Avengers: Infinity War Released: 27 April Director: The Russo Brothers Cast: Robert Downey, Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Josh Brolin
21/27 Untitled Han Solo Film Released: 25 May Director: Ron Howard Cast: Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson, Donald Glover
22/27 Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Released: 8 June Director: J.A. Bayona Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Pine, B.D. Wong, Toby Jones
23/27 Deadpool 2 Released: 1 June Director: David Leitch Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller, Zazie Beetz, Josh Brolin
24/27 Ocean's 8 Released: 22 June Director: Gary Ross Cast: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Anne Hathaway, Olivia Munn, Helena Bonham Carter, Rihanna, Matt Damon
25/27 Ant-Man and the Wasp Released: 29 June Director: Peyton Reed Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer
26/27 Soldado Released: 29 June Director: Stefano Sollima Cast: Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin, Jeffrey Donovan, Catherine Keener, Matthew Modine
27/27 The Incredibles 2 Released: 13 July Director: Brad Bird Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Samuel L. Jackson
You can see a range or reactions below
Yes this will be the Blackest movie of all time! Excellent special effects, compelling story line, brilliant performances! This will go down in history as Marvel’s best! #BlackPanther #BlackPantherSoLIT — Jamie “Is February 16 2018 Here Yet?” Broadnax (@JamieBroadnax) 30 January 2018
Black Panther is unapologetically Black. I loved how all representations of Blackness was present.
Black women are centered in this film and that was gorgeous and beautiful to see. — Antwann Michael (@antwann4real) 30 January 2018
Ryan Coogler knocked it out of the park, some great sequences presented in a “single take/shot.” If this movie isn’t nominated for costume, art and production design awards next year, I would be seriously shocked. #blackpanther — Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) 30 January 2018
#BlackPanther: I never wanted this movie to end, and as soon as it did I wanted to go back. Solid action, smart story, tons of personality. Shuri is my new fave, Nakia is everything, Killmonger is incredible, T'Challa deserves to rule the MCU. Coogler has done it again. 💜🖤💙 pic.twitter.com/t9gG3DLuCL — Angie J. Han (@ajhan) 30 January 2018
Wow. Black Panther is the best MCU movie ever. I’m not even being biased. This was by far the best marvel movie to date. #BlackPanther — Dorian Parks (@DorianParksnRec) 30 January 2018
#marvel does it again with 'Black Panther'. Very impressed with the story and filmmaking. @michaelb4jordan absolutely kills it as the villain and is the best one since Loki. Also @DanaiGurira kicks so much ass and I loved every second of it. Going to make serious $. pic.twitter.com/YBrg2x3Nnz — Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) 30 January 2018
Donald Glover and The Big Sick writer-star Kumail Nanjiani also gave the "beautiful" film a thumbs up.
black panther was beautiful.
we should keep celebrating.
who’s out here? — donald (@donaldglover) January 30, 2018
Black Panther. So very good. I cheered and laughed and pumped my fist. I’ve never seen a super hero movie like it. Everybody involved with it deserves a medal and a high five. — Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) January 30, 2018
Black Panther - which is expected to signal the start of the MCU's long-mooted second phase - will be released in the UK on 12 February. Its US release arrives a week later (18 February). Reviews are embargoed until 6 February.
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