The release date for Marvel’s latest film Black Panther draws near as the fans wait for Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa to fight against both Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) and Ulysses Klaw (Andy Serkis). Directed by Ryan Coogler (Creed), the film is the 18th installment to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The first review round of the movie are online and they look promising. Here is a review round-up from some of the critics who have seen the movie. Don’t worry, the post is spoiler free.

The Wrap – Alonso Duralde

“Black Panther” boasts a lot of black talent on both sides of the camera, which is unusual enough for a big studio movie, but this is also one of the most Africa-centric films Hollywood has ever produced. Outside of “Queen of Katwe” — would that a tenth of the “Black Panther” audience had bought a ticket for that lovely film two years ago — or “Sense 8,” American viewers don’t get much of a look at one of the planet’s most gorgeous and populous continents, so it’s exciting to see the wildly popular Marvel movies take us there.

IGN – Jim Vejvoda

It may utilize the mix of action and humor that now defines the Marvel movie formula, but Black Panther refuses to blend into the crowd of superhero films. It stands out boldly, in part by opening up a beautiful new corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but also with its topical themes. Not everything works across the board, but when it sets this fantastic cast of relatable heroes on one side of real-world ideological debates and the MCU’s most compelling and dimensional antagonist in years on the other, a huge amount of it works wonderfully.

Variety – Peter Debruge

“Black Panther” is a radically different kind of comic-book movie, one with a proud Afrocentric twist, featuring a nearly all-black cast, that largely ignores the United States and focuses instead on the fictional nation of Wakanda — and guess what: Virtually everything that distinguishes “Black Panther” from past Marvel pics works to this standalone entry’s advantage.

Empire – Jimi Famurewa

Like Taika Waititi before him, Ryan Coogler gives the Marvel template a bold auteurist twist with an African extravaganza that packs a muscular intensity and challenges as much as it exhilarates.

This is a movie that cuts deep and with the preternatural finesse of a filmmaking wizard, Coogler tackles some of the most painful, politically explosive subject matter of all time and folds it into a wildly successful piece of action entertainment so that the two aspects of the film become inseparable. Black Panther isn’t just a triumph because it’s an important and unprecedented film, but because it’s also a fantastic superhero movie and a joy to watch. It’s a delicate, impressive balance.

Polygon – Joelle Monique

Black Panther is the best Marvel film thus far. Aside from the incredible representation and the gorgeous visuals, the story is terrific. I have never cared for a villain the way I care for Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger. Standing with feet shoulder width apart, he always has his hands clasped in front of him, and he never looks at anyone straight on unless he intends to end them. Killmonger is as attractive as he is intimidating.

From the looks of it, Marvel has another win on their hands with Black Panther. The interesting thing to watch will be how the movie will connect to Infinity War, which will release in May, 2018. Guess we’ll just have to wait and find out. Black Panther releases on Feb 16, 2018.

Source: Various