'Black Panther' first reactions: It's 'astonishing,' 'iconic' and 'will save blockbusters'

Andrea Mandell | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Boseman: 'Black Panther' is 'a movement' Stars from Marvel's highly-anticipated "Black Panther" pounced on Los Angeles Monday night for its world premiere. Chadwick Boseman and the cast explain why the movie is part of a powerful cultural movement. (Jan. 30)

Black Panther is finally upon us.

The first superhero movie in years to star a black lead character – with Chadwick Boseman playing an African king, and director Ryan Coogler at the helm – had its world premiere on Monday night in Hollywood.

After the credits ran, social media's cup runneth over, with early reaction praising the Marvel film for celebrating black excellence at a level never seen before in the genre, and predicting Black Panther will render audiences speechless.

More: Daring, diverse 'Black Panther' promises to be Hollywood's latest 'cultural touchstone'

Jill Scott didn't mince words, saying Black Panther "surpassed Star Wars."

Actually, she said it in all caps.

BLACK PANTHER SURPASSED STAR WARS. With gratitude, awe, respect and invigoration, sincerely,

@MissJillScott — ⭐Jill Scott⭐ (@missjillscott) January 30, 2018

USA TODAY'S Brian Truitt called Black Panther "simply awesome" and a "top 5 all-time Marvel movie, easy."

#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

"The representation of Black women in #BlackPanther made me feel seen," tweeted film critic ReBecca Theodore-Vachon. "Seen in a way other superhero movies have not done well."

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

"Whatever you think it is... multiply that by a hundred. Royalty is in our DNA," raved The Chi creator Lena Waithe (and Master of None writer/star) on Instagram.

Los Angeles Times' Tre'vell Anderson compared the emotional highs to those in Wonder Woman. "I don’t even like superhero movies but THIS IS IT!" he tweeted. "I feel like I felt after watching Wonder Woman BUT BETTER! Like. Wow. I'm amazed!"

I don’t even like superhero movies but THIS IS IT! I feel like I felt after watching Wonder Woman BUT BETTER! Like. Wow. Im amazed! #BlackPanther — Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) January 30, 2018

Vanity Fair's Rebecca Keegan declared the performances iconic. "Stunning visuals. Iconic performances. And A REAL FREAKING STORY about a wealthy nation confronting its role in the world. Black Panther has the goods," she tweeted.

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

Buzzfeed's Adam B. Vary called the film's accomplishments "just astonishing."

"Ryan Coogler has harnessed the superhero movie — and a really fun one! — to explore profound ideas and create vivid images of black excellence that so rarely ever make it to a giant Hollywood movie. Wow wow wow!" he cheered.

BLACK PANTHER is just astonishing. Ryan Coogler has harnessed the superhero movie — and a really fun one! — to explore profound ideas and create vivid images of black excellence that so rarely ever make it to a giant Hollywood movie. Wow wow wow! — Adam B. Vary (@adambvary) January 30, 2018

The women of Wakanda were done right, added The Hollywood Reporter's Rebecca Ford. "The female characters in it are amazing. Both physical forces and intellectual badasses. Yes!"

Los Angeles Times reporter Jen Yamato described Black Panther as "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."

Fandango's Erik Davis hailed Black Panther as "the James Bond of the MCU."

#BlackPanther is exceptional - the James Bond of the MCU. You've seen nothing like this in a superhero movie - it's bold, beautiful & intense, but there's a depth & spiritualness that is unlike anything Marvel has ever done. It's 100% African & it is dope af. pic.twitter.com/Z77IjnIjf2 — ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) January 30, 2018

And Mashable's Jess Joho said Black Panther is the kind of inclusive blockbuster that might just save Hollywood.

"WOW. Black Panther will change the landscape of superhero movies forever. Expect and demand more from Hollywood. The stories its denied us for so long don’t just *deserve* to be told — they will save blockbusters from total irrelevance and creative bankruptcy."

WOW. Black Panther will change the landscape of superhero movies forever. Expect and demand more from Hollywood. The stories its denied us for so long don’t just *deserve* to be told — they will save blockbusters from total irrelevance and creative bankruptcy. — Jess Joho (@liongirl528) January 30, 2018

Black Panther hits theaters Feb. 16.