A Throne of Panthers

Black Panther is the latest release from the Marvel Comics juggernaut. The movie has had an amazing opening, grossing over a half billion dollars. It’s really having an impact out there, as Jimmy Kimmel found out when his show discovered people who think Wakanda is a real country.

For the record, Wakanda, the nation of King T’Challa (the Black Panther), is fictitious. Also, for the record, so is King T’Challa.

There’s a lot to recommend this movie. It’s got a noble and just King (and those are hard to come by these days). Its cast of characters has the King’s little sister who’s so smart she invents weapons and spaceships. Really, she’s Africa's version of Bond’s M. Then there’s the bald, female general who really is so kick-ass she needs a movie of her own.

The fight scenes are good. Every Marvel movie is required to come with a lot of action. But, the overall story could be a little grittier – and it’s way too long. Editing the film down would have helped to eliminate some of its dull spots.

Given that it has made so much money, there’s sure to be a sequel. Maybe the writers can put some weight into the plot so it doesn’t seem, at its core, so formulaic. A little more Deadpool and a little less King Solomon.