portraitoftheoddity:

I’m really just… in awe of how layered and complex a film Black Panther managed to be, as a blockbuster superhero movie. 

It had a sizable cast of complex, fully-realized characters, with their own motivations and ideals, who were almost universally sympathetic. It dealt with a spectrum of political viewpoints in regards to isolationism, revolution, and interventionism. It addressed the challenges of leadership, with the dual obligations both to one’s people and to the larger world. It handled hot-button issues of race and diaspora with incredibly deft grace. It examined the value of preserving tradition and the value of embracing change and progress. It made a hell of a statement by depicting a beautifully and brilliantly designed version of Africa, had it been allowed to develop with its wealth of resources not been plundered by colonization. Its art direction, set design, hair & makeup, costume design, and overall world-building were all breathtaking. And with all that, it gave a fast-moving, riveting superhero story. 

And I know, as a white person, there’s also whole levels of resonance I’m not even picking up on or understanding, that black viewers are taking away from it. Reading the beautiful reactions and meta and analyses of POC viewers has been eye-opening and mind-expanding and I’m so thrilled that this movie happened, when it did and how it did. This movie wasn’t for me, but that’s okay and perfectly reasonable, since so much media already is for me; and even with it not being made with me as the target audience, I found it still thoroughly enjoyable and incredible and just plain good. So for all the folks for whom it was made – I am so happy for you, and hope there’s a sequel, and that Hollywood damn well takes note of the massive box office success and takes that into account with future projects. And I can’t wait to see more of Wakanda in Infinity War. 

Honestly, if this thing doesn’t get an Oscar for SOMETHING, I’m gonna punch someone.