Black Panther (2018)
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A newly crowned king must defend his hidden, technologically advanced kingdom from a powerful challenger seeking to seize its resources.
The story
Following the death of his father, T'Challa is crowned king of the hidden African nation of Wakanda. While the nation remains isolated from the world, it possesses advanced technology derived from the rare metal vibranium. T'Challa's ascension is immediately challenged by Killmonger, a former soldier who seeks to seize Wakanda's resources to spark a global revolution. As T'Challa navigates his new role as the protector of his people, he must confront the threat posed by Killmonger and the complexities of Wakanda's isolationist policies in a world that remains unaware of their existence.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Thousands of years ago, the tribe of Wakanda secured the metal vibranium and developed advanced technology while hiding from the world. In the present, T'Challa takes the throne after his father's death. He faces a challenge from M'Baku before the conflict escalates when a Wakandan artifact is stolen in London. T'Challa and his allies travel to South Korea to recover it, where they encounter the mercenary Ulysses Klaue. T'Challa eventually takes a wounded CIA agent, Everett K. Ross, to Wakanda for treatment. Meanwhile, Killmonger, the son of a former Wakandan spy, arrives in Wakanda to claim the throne and distribute vibranium weapons globally. After a series of battles that leave T'Challa presumed dead, he is rescued by the Jabari and eventually faces Killmonger in a final confrontation. T'Challa defeats Killmonger, who chooses to die as a free man. The film ends with T'Challa establishing an outreach center and appearing before the United Nations to reveal Wakanda's existence.
- First release year
- 2018
- Runtime (minutes)
- 134
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Ryan Coogler
- Writers
- Ryan Coogler · writer; Joe Robert Cole · writer
- Cast and characters
- Chadwick Boseman · T'Challa / Black Panther; Michael B. Jordan · N'Jadaka / Erik "Killmonger" Stevens; Lupita Nyong'o · Nakia; Danai Gurira · Okoye; Martin Freeman · Everett K. Ross; Daniel Kaluuya · W'Kabi; Letitia Wright · Shuri; Winston Duke · M'Baku
- Genres
- superhero
- Themes
- isolationism; responsibility; cultural significance
- Tone and mood
- heroic; serious
- Premise and plot tags
- superhero; hidden world; political intrigue
- Source material / true-story basis
- Marvel Comics
- Franchise connections
- Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)
- Reception
- Critics praised the direction, writing, acting, costume design, production values, and soundtrack, while some criticized the visual effects. It was noted for its cultural significance and considered by many to be one of the best MCU films.
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Costume Design · Won; Academy Award · Best Production Design · Won; Academy Award · Best Original Score · Won
- Production trivia
- It was the first Marvel Studios film with a Black director and a predominantly Black cast.; It was the first superhero film to receive a Best Picture nomination.; It was the first MCU film to win an Academy Award.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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