Marvel’s Black Panther had its red-carpet (or, rather, purple carpet) premiere last night, and if early Twitter response is anything to go by, this latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe is totally worth the hype.
First, this is by far my favorite reaction just due to the sheer fan emotion:
Every #BlackPanther emotion in one video. #BlackPantherPremiere pic.twitter.com/dj4Zzp90Eg
— Andre Black Nerd (@BlackNerd) January 30, 2018
So many of the responses to the film were understandably steeped in that level of emotion as we finally have a film showcasing not just a black superhero, but an entire world of blackness in the MCU. One that is allowed to be excellent and heroic and complex and nuanced:
Black Panther is the best MCU movie ever. I was blown away from start to finish and I’m not even being biased. This was by far the best marvel movie to date. Thank you, Ryan Coogler! #BlackPanther pic.twitter.com/8Qh0hlOYAb
— Geeks of Color (@GeeksOfColor) January 30, 2018
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
#BlackPanther is a love letter about blackness, to a world that often ghettoizes it without realizing that it is on black backs that this planet revolves.
This world’s livelihood is in our blood. pic.twitter.com/FscW1hWbI6
— Tre’vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) January 30, 2018
And not all the fan love even had to do with the movie, though. Some of it had to do with being able to see and say stuff like this:
Chadwick Boseman just stepped out of a black Lexus onto the purple carpet w/ a Dora Milaje escort. & this is a sentence I actually got to say. #BlackPantherPremiere pic.twitter.com/wSr8kSMS0w
— Mitchell L H Douglas (@MLHDouglas) January 30, 2018
A gay man’s guide to BLACK PANTHER: This movie has more shirtless wrestling than RIVERDALE and more tear-stained cheeks than a Julianne Moore clip reel
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) January 30, 2018
But most of it had to do with the film. In addition to the brilliant showcasing of black excellence, people seemed particularly into the film’s nuanced story, saying that it goes way deeper into important socio-political issues than any Marvel movie before it:
Stunning visuals. Iconic performances. And A REAL FREAKING STORY about a wealthy nation confronting its role in the world. Black Panther has the goods. Also there’s a post-credits scene. Here’s the premiere crowd racing back to watch it. pic.twitter.com/EiS7z9xbA7
— Rebecca Keegan (@ThatRebecca) January 30, 2018
#BlackPanther is simply awesome. Extremely bold and as touching as it is thrilling, it boasts GOT-style intrigue, crazy innovative action and a deep bench of memorable characters. Top 5 all-time Marvel movie, easy. More later. pic.twitter.com/mmz8Nuf1sy
— Brian Truitt (@briantruitt) January 30, 2018
Well, as promised, my non-spoiler first summary of #BlackPanther: a thoughtful masterpiece connecting the historical struggles of the African Diaspora, meets the hope and possibilities of afrofuturism.
— Kovie Biakolo (@koviebiakolo) January 30, 2018
Anyway, yes, Black Panther is incredible on so many levels and I feel very comfortable calling it Marvel’s best, most thoughtful movie to date.
— A.B. (@AlannaBennett) January 30, 2018
And can we just talk about the women involved in this production for a second?
Like yes, Ryan Coogler is clearly doing his thing, but one of the smartest things he did was surround himself with ridiculously talented women all doing their thing, including cinematographer Rachel Morrison, who just became the first woman to be nominated for Best Cinematography for her work on Netflix’s Mudbound, the film’s brilliant actresses (Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, etc), production designer Hannah Beachler, and costume designer Ruth E. Carter among them.
People were loving the representation of women both in front of and behind the camera:
The production design by Hannah Beachler is so lovely – and the cinematography by Rachel Morrison, whew! By far the best looking MCU film. #BlackPanther pic.twitter.com/p1L0yEc4ZC
— ReBecca Theodore-Vachon (@FilmFatale_NYC) January 30, 2018
And the representation of Black women in #BlackPanther made me feel seen. Seen in a way other superhero movies have not done well. pic.twitter.com/xrzVP5SLu6
— ReBecca Theodore-Vachon (@FilmFatale_NYC) January 30, 2018
And all hail Ruth E. Carter! The costume design in #BlackPanther is stunning and I hope she lands an Oscar win next year. pic.twitter.com/Q0oKdr4tCw
— ReBecca Theodore-Vachon (@FilmFatale_NYC) January 30, 2018
Lupita Nyong’o and Danai Gurai bring the heat in #BlackPanther. Their action scenes had the audience cheering and clapping. I loved every second. pic.twitter.com/tmHcWMTnW6
— ReBecca Theodore-Vachon (@FilmFatale_NYC) January 30, 2018
It was beautiful to see Danai Gurira on the purple carpet talking about how Black Panther is basically the culmination of her entire mission statement for her career of telling African stories:
DANAI GURIRA HAS BEEN WORKING HER ENTIRE LIFE FOR THIS. Talking about her life goal to tell African stories on film: #BlackPantherPremiere pic.twitter.com/UIvdUFdNeQ
— Mike@FischbowlProd.🐍 (@Fishbowl_Film) January 30, 2018
And apparently, as awesome as Chadwick Boseman is in the film, Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger is getting rave early reviews as the one to watch:
Yes, Michael B. Jordan delivers as Killmonger. Menacing and charming. He says something at the end of the movie that effed me up. I wasn’t ready. #BlackPanther pic.twitter.com/G373JdwojX
— ReBecca Theodore-Vachon (@FilmFatale_NYC) January 30, 2018
Black Panther is amazing. Intelligent, thought-provoking, and emotionally resonant on top of being fun. Killmonger is the MCU’s best villain, bar none. Michael B. Jordan kills it. Letitia Wright is a star.
— Rebecca Pahle (@RebeccaPahle) January 30, 2018
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
And now, I would just like to take an opportunity to look at this mother-effing ROYALTY right here:
Y’all look at Chadwick. He just blessed us tonight. #ChadwickBoseman #BlackPantherPremiere pic.twitter.com/eOFy1MeOqS
— fri 🍼 (@clooouudd) January 30, 2018
Flipping through the Black Panther premiere photos and ho-ly shit. pic.twitter.com/tlX3XNwCmK
— Rebecca Pahle (@RebeccaPahle) January 30, 2018
The incredible @IssaRae looks like a goddess on the #BlackPantherPremiere purple carpet #BlackPanther (📸: @GettyImages) pic.twitter.com/isW1cbyPFM
— Fuse (@fusetv) January 30, 2018
#Grownish star @YaraShahidi looks radiant at the #BlackPantherPremiere 😍 #BlackPanther (📸: @GettyImages) pic.twitter.com/mly9cyIfq1
— Fuse (@fusetv) January 30, 2018
Wow. @donaldglover making this orange suit WORK at the #BlackPantherPremiere 🧡🧡🧡 #BlackPanther (📸: @GettyImages) pic.twitter.com/sKWPfs32tP
— Fuse (@fusetv) January 30, 2018
Nothing but respect for my King and Queen #BlackPantherPremiere ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ap3f2H7IN1
— Maria Aixa di Angelo (@BloodyGirlKill) January 30, 2018
Best-dressed. Red carpet. Ever.
If ALL THAT doesn’t have you hyped for this movie, I don’t even know what to do with you. I’m sure most of you already have your tickets for opening weekend, but if not, get on that!
Black Panther opens February 16th.
(via CBR.com, image: Marvel Studios)
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