"Black Panther." Did I miss something?

[bif]

After hearing all the great reviews about it, I decided to watch it yesterday. What a huge disappointment. I'm not a fan of superhero movies, but I thought this might be something special. Nope. Watched about an hour and a half of it and gave up. Decent premise and special effects, but the storyline and acting were so-so. Anyone else feel the same way?

[vlyons]

1. completely agree

I watched about 30 min. So boring. Superheros, who fight a lot. So predictable. So juvenile

[Aristus]

2. No.

I'd watch Angela Bassett if she was doing a dramatic reading of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress in super slo-mo, while on Thorazine, and with Muzak playing in the background.

Black Panther was quite a bit better than that.

[MLAA]

3. I loved it. I found it funny and uplifting.

[ChicagoRonin]

4. Mixed feelings

I'm a big comic book and superhero fan (superhero movies included). I'm well aware its a pretty trope-heavy genre with formulaic storytelling and fan expectations, but I still think there is something entertaining and worthwhile there. I'm also a person of color and a struggling actor, so getting non-white talent both behind and in front of the camera in big budget US films is something I find worthwhile.

However, I do feel Black Panther is overrated. I don't think it's bad. But I don't think as a film itself it offers much that is different from the run-of-the mills movies Marvel is making.

But, I understand why it is a big hit. For African American filmgoers in particular, seeing heroic characters that look like them strikes a big cord. I'm Asian American, and I got that feeling watching Donnie Yen in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story". Despite all that film's flaws, as someone who grew up watching the original trilogy in theaters, seeing someone who looked like me fighting the bad guys really struck an emotional cord that I was unaware of.

Also, go to Youtube and check out the reaction to the film in African countries. Audiences there really got a kick out of it.

I guess for some it's a bit damming if a so-so film gets so much applause just because of the racial representation; like some kind of pop cultural affirmative action. But, let's say it's like the way people thrill over the "local boy does good" kind of stories. For now, that identification is a big deal. It might not last the test of time (I doubt anyone is going to remember "Black Panther" decades from now, but I could be wrong). But it might pave the way for bigger and better stuff in the same vein.

[FSogol]

5. Really? How many Afro-futurism films have you watched? How many has Hollywood made?

Compelling story, realistic villain who was really an anti-hero, unique costumes, layers of richness in design, extremely moral and decent main character which all goes a bit beyond what we expect from superhero films. Not sure it deserves best picture, but have no problem with it being in the conversation.

[Beausoleil]

6. Agree

Very good action film. Not "Best Film" material.

[Drifter]

7. This is why I generally do not watch movies ...

By the time I get around to watch a movie, it never lives up to what I heard about it.
You would be surprised about the popular movies that I've never seen (nor plan to).

Cheers
Drifter