With Avengers: Infinity War on the way and the first decade of Marvel's great experiment coming to a close, we're finally seeing the famed superhero studio take more risks. They're allowing incredible directors to execute their respective vision to perfection, avoiding the visual and narrative blandness that has come to define the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Sure, I wasn't over the moon about this summer's Spider-Man: Homecoming, but the studio's other two 2017 films are more than enough to convince me that they're on the right track. It seems to have been overshadowed by Logan and Wonder Woman, but James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 is the rare sequel that surpasses its predecessor, mixing kaleidoscopic action and rich character work to great effect. Meanwhile, it appears that Taika Waititi has made Marvel's first true comedy with Thor: Ragnarok, which is receiving great buzz ahead of its November 3 release. Even if Kevin Feige has clashed with filmmakers like Edgar Wright and Ava DuVernay in the past, it appears that the culture is changing.
And now, enter Ryan Coogler's Black Panther. The young director of Creed has already solidified himself as one of the best of his generation, and he's getting the chance to helm his biggest project yet. Earlier this week, Marvel released the second full trailer- check it out below!
Marvel has always crafted interesting characters, clever one-liners, and delightful action scenes. From Iron Man all the way to Homecoming, these have been consistent hallmarks of the franchise. And on occasion, Marvel has even taken storytelling risks- think the surprise HYDRA twist in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. But while they've always done so many things worthy of praise (I've liked all but two or three of the Marvel films), it's almost exhausting to watch them stretch to use the same template for every film. Even something visually interesting like Doctor Strange has no real definition of its own- it's just a Marvel movie with Inception action scenes.
For these reasons, the studio's newfound embrace of auteur filmmakers with distinct approaches to style and genre is so exciting. While I have no doubt that subsequent Marvel films will still follow roughly the same story, the idea that these movies will finally look and feel different has me pumped. With Black Panther, it appears that Coogler has taken the superhero film and blended it with an uber-cool spy thriller, a tremendously fascinating proposition. The first trailer was great, and I'm not even sure we needed a second look- but hey, I'll take what I can get. The design of Wakanda is just so awesome, and every action scene looks so slick, so insanely satisfying. And that cast! Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Daniel Kaluuya- these are some of the best young actors working today. Black Panther is also a massive step forward for diversity in front of and behind the camera, and I have a feeling that this movie is going to make so much money come February. At this point, I don't need to see anything more. Bring it on.
Black Panther will hit theaters on February 16, 2018.
Image: Marvel/IMDB
And now, enter Ryan Coogler's Black Panther. The young director of Creed has already solidified himself as one of the best of his generation, and he's getting the chance to helm his biggest project yet. Earlier this week, Marvel released the second full trailer- check it out below!
Marvel has always crafted interesting characters, clever one-liners, and delightful action scenes. From Iron Man all the way to Homecoming, these have been consistent hallmarks of the franchise. And on occasion, Marvel has even taken storytelling risks- think the surprise HYDRA twist in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. But while they've always done so many things worthy of praise (I've liked all but two or three of the Marvel films), it's almost exhausting to watch them stretch to use the same template for every film. Even something visually interesting like Doctor Strange has no real definition of its own- it's just a Marvel movie with Inception action scenes.
For these reasons, the studio's newfound embrace of auteur filmmakers with distinct approaches to style and genre is so exciting. While I have no doubt that subsequent Marvel films will still follow roughly the same story, the idea that these movies will finally look and feel different has me pumped. With Black Panther, it appears that Coogler has taken the superhero film and blended it with an uber-cool spy thriller, a tremendously fascinating proposition. The first trailer was great, and I'm not even sure we needed a second look- but hey, I'll take what I can get. The design of Wakanda is just so awesome, and every action scene looks so slick, so insanely satisfying. And that cast! Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Daniel Kaluuya- these are some of the best young actors working today. Black Panther is also a massive step forward for diversity in front of and behind the camera, and I have a feeling that this movie is going to make so much money come February. At this point, I don't need to see anything more. Bring it on.
Black Panther will hit theaters on February 16, 2018.
Image: Marvel/IMDB
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