10 Reasons to Get Pumped About Black Panther

It’s undeniable that Marvel is a movie-making machine, pumping out blockbuster after blockbuster. For some, maybe it’s gotten old. Another Avengers fight fest? Iron Man has triggered the apocalypse again? Well, you can put your snarky questions away and start getting pumped because our favorite superhero is getting an origin story and it’s not Catwoman–she’s a DC character anyway.

So Black Panther first showed up on the big screen in Captain America: Civil War but the character first came into being in the comics in the ‘60s. He’s super strong, super fast, and super agile; his vibranium suit also doesn’t hurt his chances of saving the universe, either. With a character this dope, it’s about time he’s gotten his own multi-million dollar origin movie. Here are ten reasons that we’re stoked for February 16 to get here.

ALL. THE. SICK. MOVES.

In the trailer, not only does Black Panther run along the side of a building like it’s nothing, but he also spider-monkeys onto the side of a moving car and rips the wheel off. Of a moving vehicle. It’s ok. Don’t get too pumped yet. There’s more.

He’s an African superhero.

And it’s about time! Black Panther’s real name is T’Challa and he’s from Wakanda, a mystical land where the people speak Xhosa, a language native to South Africa and Lesotho, and the guardswomen use traditional African weaponry like ring blades. Wakanda was hidden up until T’Challa’s father decided it was best for them to come out of hiding and help the rest of the world with their knowledge of advanced technology. Cause, oh yeah, Wakanda is the most technologically advanced society on planet Earth. T’Challa has the vast knowledge and resources of Wakanda to thank for his super suit, which leads us to…

Black Panther is going to show us all what a leader looks like.

The super suit and the title of Black Panther is actually an office of leadership in Wakanda. He acts as protector of the land, and the trailers are all showing T’Challa as the diplomat that some of us can only wish we had in the highest office of our country. In all reality, Black Panther is going to be a role model that we can shove in every child’s face while we pretend like we aren’t also learning a thing or three.

Less bang, more POW!

Sure, there’s this brilliant moment in the trailers where Black Panther is freefalling without any visible parachute and he throws a few blue, glowy bombs, but besides that moment, he’s all fists and martial dopeness. Black Panther’s whole schtick is that he’s a master martial artist and acrobat. This dude’s body is a tool and he’s the master of it. Prepare yourself for some heart-pumping action that doesn’t rely on high-priced bullets or machinery.

Dream panthers.

Just trust me on this one. We catch glimpses of them in the trailer. I’m getting good vibes from the dream panther visions. This is going to be some Mufasa-level wisdom these panthers lay down, I’m sure of it. There’s a tree in a field and a starry sky and everything.

ALL. THE. STRONG. WOMEN.

Not only is the always brilliant Angela Bassett playing T’Challa’s mother, but he’s got Oscar-winning Lupita Nyong’o as a kick-butt love interest Nakia. According to one interview with Entertainment Weekly, Nyong’o revealed that Nakia isn’t just arm candy, she’s also a member of the Dora Milaje, the lady guard of Wakanda. (It plays a part in their romance even.) Then there’s Okoye, who is sure to slay her role as the general of Wakanda’s forces. All these strong women standing and fighting right alongside these super dudes makes me want to go get in a fight in the best way. Check out this video to learn more about the Dora Milaje:

The hair

You’ve got Nakia with her short, natural look. Then there’s Erik Killmonger–the supposed villain, in case his name didn’t give it away–with shaved sides and dreads on top. T’Challa’s got a close-cropped natural look. Okoye absolute rocks the bald head, and Shuri, T’Challa’s sister, has some gorgeous braids. Everyone is different and rocking their own style and it’s amazing.

The moves, man…

Sure, I’ve told you about how Panther mutilates cars, but can you also picture Okoye using her neck rings to whip a spear around and whip a dude across the head? Need help? It’s in the trailer. Thanks to the martial arts focus of all the characters, these fights are going to be sick-nasty in the best ways.

Erik Killmonger

One might say that a movie is only as good as its villain. If that’s true, then Black Panther is set to be a dope movie. Michael B. Jordan steps up to the plate to play the one serious challenger to T’Challa’s position as Black Panther. He’s also a master martial artist and a physical match to the superhuman T’Challa. I suppose desperation to avenge your family gets you more gains than any protein shake on the market.

Opportunities

Over the years, we’ve seen public denouncements of racism in entertainment–#OscarsSoWhite, anyone?–and Black Panther is finally a move in the right direction by a major film entity. Marvel Entertainment, LLC is a powerhouse with piles of money that are simply mind-boggling to consider imagining. The fact that they’re supporting a film with a mostly black cast with a black director/screenwriter is a long-overdue investment. For minority artists in the American film industry, finding opportunities is one of the struggles. Black Panther is the opportunity we’ve all been waiting for.

And we don’t have long to wait. Catch Black Panther in theatres on February 16!