Black Panther Reviews: 10 Critical Reactions You Need To See
A roaring success?
When the social media embargo on Black Panther press screenings lifted, it was immediately apparent the critics felt they had experienced something truly special, and now that the first wave of reviews has come crashing in, they've had the chance to express that sentiment using more than just 280 characters.
At the time of writing, Ryan Coogler's MCU newcomer holds a 99% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on the views of 76 movie journalists. There's no guarantee it will stay that way, with dozens more critics expected to have their say over the next week or so, but T'Challa and the Wakandans are off to the best possible start.
No MCU movie or DCEU film has ever achieved a rating that high from Tomatometer-certified critics, with Wonder Woman's 92% and Captain America: Civil War's 91% being the scores to beat, but Black Panther is in good stead to set a new record.
It's refreshing to see the movie doing so well, given what it represents. A superhero blockbuster populated by black men and women, all of whom sound like compelling characters, is what the genre needs to truly diversify and stay relevant.
The critics so far seem to agree that Black Panther helped the superhero movie achieve those things, and here's exactly what they're saying.
10. A Movie With Universal Appeal
"[Black Panther is] a picture for everyone that stresses the necessary meaning of the word everyone. It’s pure pleasure to look at the screen and see the faces of both established actors we don’t get to see often enough (like Angela Bassett, as well as Forest Whitaker as Zuri, a spiritual-warrior figure) and newcomers who leave us hankering for more (like the vibrant Letitia Wright)." - TIME
"Black Panther is a hit! It's emotional, powerful and action packed to satisfy comic book fans as well as newcomers who probably haven't seen a Marvel film, but want to experience seeing black excellence on the big screen." - BlackFilm.com
Most superhero movies are smash hits with their target audience of dedicated comic book fans, but it takes a truly special one to please everyone, and a section of critics are claiming Black Panther belongs to that elite group.
Several reviewers have hailed the movie's blend of action, political bite, emotion and cultural significance as a winning formula that gives it universal appeal, while strong performances from the main cast only cement that.
Black Panther pairs veteran stars such as Angela Bassett and Forest Whitaker with relative newcomers like Letitia Wright, and from the sound of things, there are no weak links in its Vibranium chain. Meanwhile, Chadwick Boseman has been praised across the board for his strong, dignified portrayal of T'Challa, as has Michael B. Jordan in the role of the villainous Erik 'Killmonger' Stevens.