The Marvel Cinematic Universe is turning 10-years-old this year. We've come a long way since the first Iron Man film, with dozens of characters introduced through countless origin films, standalone trilogies and cross-property team-ups like the Avengers films. However, as the cinematic universe gets more and more saturated, with a tightening timeline gearing up to the ultimate duel against Thanos later this year, it's no question that the studio has begun to exhaust its formula.

It's refreshing, then, to see a standalone Marvel film that can genuinely stand alone.

Of course, that's not all that "Black Panther" is. It's entertaining, dazzling, some may say revolutionary as the first, black-led superhero film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Not the first black-led superhero movie, though. Not even the first black-led Marvel superhero film; that honor goes to the Blade trilogy in the late 1990s. But when Wesley Snipes fighting vampires, in a franchise so forgettable most of the media overlooked it in the build-up to "Black Panther," is the pinnacle of black superhero films, it's time for a proper black superhero film.

Set shortly after the events of "Captain America: Civil War," Prince T’Challa, played fantastically by Chadwick Boseman, returns to Wakanda, his technologically-advanced African country, after his father's death to assume the throne. T'Challa, as his superhero alter ego Black Panther, then hunts down Ulysses Klaue, an arms dealer with a bad history with Wakanda, when he tries to sell vibranium, Wakanda's precious ore.

Kluae's plot thread is merely a McGuffin, however, unfortunately ending shortly after a spectacular chase sequence through the streets of South Korea. The story then pivots to the main plot with Erik Killmonger, a U.S. military operative with a special connection to Wakanda, who challenges T'Challa's control over the country.

Boseman, with his strong and thoughtful portrayal of T'Challa, isn't the only actor giving a grade-A performance here. Michael B. Jordan as Killmonger delivers with a tough, furious attitude, coupled with moments of humanity. Andy Serkis as Kluae is charming and fun, even for how little screen time he has.

And it’s not just the men. Danai Gurira plays the unwavering warrior badass Okoye while Letitia Wright is T'Challa's technology wizard sister Shuri. While the movie has received critical praise as an inspiration to black children to see a black superhero, it shouldn't be overlooked as an additional inspiration to girls to see such well-developed, strong and intelligent female characters. Okoye, it could be argued, is a greater fighter than Black Panther, and thankfully gets the screentime to show off some amazing fight choreography and brutal takedowns.

The movie's tone and visuals complement each other beautifully, in a stunning embrace of African dress and culture blended with a fantasy reimagining of history that romanticizes the continent. This is not a helpless African country with impoverished people picked apart by centuries of colonization. This is a proud, strong, advanced African nation, where technological wonders and ancient heritage meet in perfect harmony.

The movie seems to recognizes its historical significance as a black-led superhero film, and leans heavily on it. It doesn't shy away from discussions of race relations, of the Slave Trade, mass incarceration or gang activity in 1990s Oakland.

Killmonger is driven by black oppression in his quest for revenge, to remake the world with a proud African people at the helm. While the movie may have an underlying message of socioeconomic disparity in the United States, however, it remains mostly contained to Wakanda to deal with domestic issues.

As stated before, "Black Panther" feels like the first Marvel film in a while that can stand on its own. The events of "Civil War" that matter, mostly the death of T'Challa's father, are recapped, meaning someone who, somehow, hasn't seen any other Marvel movie could come in and miss very little.

While the movie doesn't try to cram in MCU development, however, it does still have some common Marvel tropes. The most notable would be the recent trend of adding a fellow MCU character as a sidekick. Spider-Man had Iron Man in "Spider-Man: Homecoming," Thor had Hulk in "Thor: Ragnarok." Here, Black Panther gets Agent Ross.

His role is perhaps the smallest contribution of the sidekicks, and his part in the film is of minimal consequence, though that raises the question of Ross’ purpose. Other than, of course, to remind the audience that it's the MCU and to go preorder tickets for "Avengers: Infinity War."

Audiences have been calling for a (proper) black superhero for years, and after ten years Marvel finally did it with "Black Panther," either out of confidence or perhaps public shaming. It probably shouldn't have taken this long, but it's finally here, and it's more than we could have ever hoped for.

Full review: https://www.redandblack.com/culture/black-panther-not-the-first-black-superhero-but-the-right/article_5d31cc84-12dd-11e8-b006-eb80b6dd65f6.html