Marvel has another hit. Whether it’s the intriguing characters, exciting soundtrack, or thought-provoking scenes, Marvel’s Black Panther, directed by Ryan Coogler, is a must-see for superhero fans.  

Starting where Captain America: Civil War leaves off, Black Panther follows T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) who returns home to the technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as king after the death of his father. However, when T’Challa’s old foe Klaue (Andy Serkis) reappears with a new sidekick, Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), T’Challa’s position as king and Black Panther is tested when he is drawn into a conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda, and the world, at risk. 

Black Panther breaks down barriers as Marvel’s first African superhero and presents interesting African culture throughout the movie. Black Panther’s cast and range of characters is a breath of fresh air compared to the normality of the movie industry. The strong female roles of Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), Okoye (Danai Gurira), and Shuri (Letitia Wright) alongside the powerful Dora Milaje women warriors, empower women from beginning to end with their fierce attitudes and impeccable fashion.  

One of the most exciting elements of Black Panther is the soundtrack by Kendrick Lamar in collaboration with a plethora of other popular artists like Khalid, The Weeknd, Travis Scott, and more. The hip-hop beats—like in Paramedic!, Redemption, and Opps—make the movie experience even more breathtaking and absorbs viewers into the dangerous chase and fight scenes throughout the movie.  

The modern humor adds the perfect amount of comic relief while maintaining the impeccable balance of seriousness and fun. Still, what’s especially interesting in Black Panther is how a superhero action movie can address social issues like the haves and have nots, racism, and poverty without shoving it down viewers’ throats. As a child, Killmonger grew up basically on his own surrounded by poverty, drug use, death, etc., which heavily influenced his plan. Although he is the villain of Black Panther, it is hard to not sympathize with Killmonger’s twisted reasoning and begin to question the state of the world. This tactic of bringing light to important issues in movies can be botched by directors, but Coogler did an outstanding job.