The First Black Panther Reviews Are In—And They’re All Raves
But really, is anyone surprised?
One of the most hotly anticipated movies of this year is, without a doubt, Black Panther. Its trailer was screened at Comic-Con last summer to tears and a standing ovation, and later practically broke the internet with its online release. Last month, advance tickets for the film went on sale and promptly broke records within the first 24 hours, making it the bestselling Marvel Cinematic Universe movie in terms of pre-sales. (Anyone with doubts about the bankability of black films need look no further than Girls Trip and now, Black Panther, for proof of both the demand for and success of these films.) The rabid excitement for this film is understandable. Not only is it Marvel’s first black superhero film, but it’s directed by Ryan Coogler, the young visionary behind Creed and Fruitvale Station, and is packed with enough star power to make a person’s head explode—Lupita Nyong’o, Daniel Kaluuya, Michael B Jordan, Chadwick Boseman, Angela Bassett and Forest Whitaker. Whew.
The film, which is scheduled to release on February 16, had its premiere last night in Los Angeles and if initial Twitter reactions from film critics are anything to go by, it lives up to all the hype. Scroll through for a look at what they’re saying, and get—if humanly possible—even more excited for this film’s arrival at a theatre near you.
Jen Yamato, film reporter, Los Angeles Times
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
ReBecca Theodore-Vachon, film/TV contributor, Entertainment Weekly, Forbes, NYTimes, Roger Ebert, The Urban Daily
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
Vanessa K DeLuca, editor in chief, Essence
I’ve been to Wakanda, and I may never recover. I am so grateful that our young people will see this film and their minds will be transformed. Congratulations #RyanCoogler —you did that! #blackpantherpremiere #blackpanther
— Vanessa K. De Luca (@Vanessa_KDeLuca) January 30, 2018
Frank Pallotta, entertainment/media reporter, CNN
“Black Panther” is one of Marvel’s most ambitious works and includes, in Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger, a top tier villain for Marvel or otherwise. He owns every scene he’s in and the film is everything it’s been billed as. Long may it reign. pic.twitter.com/KajWk3PNRm
— Frank Pallotta (@frankpallotta) January 30, 2018
Angie J Han, movies reporter, Mashable
#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
Rebecca Keegan, Hollywood correspondent, Vanity Fair
I often struggle to feel invested in comic book movies. Many feel ‘not for me.’ This one felt like it opened its arms, perhaps because the women of Wakanda are so layered and integral to the action.
— Rebecca Keegan (@ThatRebecca) January 30, 2018
Tre’Vell Anderson, film reporter, Los Angeles Times
I don’t even like superhero movies but THIS IS IT! I feel like I felt after watching Wonder Woman BUT BETTER! Like. Wow. Im amazed! #BlackPanther
— Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) January 30, 2018
Kyle Buchanan, senior editor, Vulture
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
Natasha Alford, deputy editor, The Grio
Soooo I went to an early screening, and #BlackPanther IS A MASTERPIECE. Period. End of story. Excuse me while I gather my thoughts and feelings… ?????? pic.twitter.com/BNRccAh1HZ
— Natasha Alford ??✊????? (@NatashaSAlford) January 30, 2018
Peter Sciretta, editor, Slashfilm.com
Black Panther looks, feels and sounds unlike any Marvel film to date. A visual feast. Wakanda is amazingly realized, the antagonist actually has an arc with emotional motivations. Marvels most political movie. So good. #BlackPanther
— Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) January 30, 2018
Erik Davis, managing editor, Fandango
https://twitter.com/ErikDavis/status/958218220153917440
 The rabid excitement for this film is understandable. Not only is it Marvel’s first black superhero film, but it's directed by Ryan Coogler, the young visionary behind Creed and Fruitvale Station, and is packed with enough star power to make a person’s head explode—Lupita Nyong’o, Daniel Kaluuya, Michael B Jordan, Chadwick Boseman, Angela Bassett and Forest Whitaker. Whew.
The film, which is scheduled to release on February 16, had its premiere last night in Los Angeles and if initial Twitter reactions from film critics are anything to go by, it lives up to all the hype. Scroll through for a look at what they’re saying, and get—if humanly possible—even more excited for this film’s arrival at a theatre near you.
Jen Yamato, film reporter, Los Angeles Times
https://twitter.com/jenyamato/status/958219135623741440
ReBecca Theodore-Vachon, film/TV contributor, Entertainment Weekly, Forbes, NYTimes, Roger Ebert, The Urban Daily
https://twitter.com/FilmFatale_NYC/status/958225253074862080
Vanessa K DeLuca, editor in chief, Essence
https://twitter.com/Vanessa_KDeLuca/status/958274136836485121
Frank Pallotta, entertainment/media reporter, CNN
https://twitter.com/frankpallotta/status/958218644437250048
Angie J Han, movies reporter, Mashable
https://twitter.com/ajhan/status/958218216806940672
Rebecca Keegan, Hollywood correspondent, Vanity Fair
https://twitter.com/ThatRebecca/status/958235738050519040
Tre’Vell Anderson, film reporter, Los Angeles Times
https://twitter.com/TrevellAnderson/status/958227785914335232
Kyle Buchanan, senior editor, Vulture
https://twitter.com/kylebuchanan/status/958219468190105600
Natasha Alford, deputy editor, The Grio
https://twitter.com/NatashaSAlford/status/958152925980905472
Peter Sciretta, editor, Slashfilm.com
https://twitter.com/slashfilm/status/958219815943995392
Erik Davis, managing editor, Fandango
https://twitter.com/ErikDavis/status/958218220153917440){kind=link}