Critical popcorn

Released as part of Phase Three of Marvel Studios’ Cinematic Universe, Black Panther became an instant smash-hit at the box office, and cultural moment for audiences around the world. It became the first superhero film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, being nominated for seven awards overall and winning three: Best Costume Design, Best Production Design and Best Original Score. Said score by Ludwig Göransson feels completely unique in blockbuster films, balancing African drums, electronic sounds and a variety of choral voices in a symphony which perfectly encapsulates Wakanda as it appears on screen. It was difficult not to be excited when the Royal Albert Hall announced the European Premiere of Black Panther in Concert as part of their Films in Concert series!

Black Panther is easily one of the best films in the MCU, not only telling a compelling standalone story, but building upon the foundations set up in previous films in the series. T’Challa / the Black Panther (played by the late, great Chadwick Boseman) was introduced in Captain America: Civil War, while secondary antagonist Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) featured in Avengers: Age of Ultron, and vibranium was set-up as far back as in Captain America: The First Avenger. But in hindsight these set-ups feel like stepping-stones in the lead-up to Black Panther itself, a film which doesn’t expect the audience to be familiar with previous films, but doesn’t feel the need to repeat anything either. T’Challa already is the Black Panther, and the story sees him take on the mantle of King of Wakanda, and figuring out how best to rule his country. He’s a character conflicted between the traditions of his people, closing themselves off from the outside world, and by the potential for the positive impact Wakanda could have on the rest of the world. This inner conflict is exploited by Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), a character who wants to use Wakanda’s advanced weaponry to cause an uprising against the people and systems oppressing black people all over the world. It’s a politically-charged motivation, and one audiences can sympathise with, but most interestingly Killmonger becomes one of the few villains to actually change the hero’s perspective. T’Challa doesn’t agree with Killmonger’s violent approach, but realises that he has the power to make change. The screenplay – written by director Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole – tackles these complex themes with the right amount of dramatic weight, creating an engaging ensemble cast of characters with different perspectives and motivations, leading to a third act which, despite some dodgy (and apparently very rushed) CGI effects, features a civil war for the future of Wakanda.

Chadwick Boseman brings a sense of grace and pathos to T’Challa, as well as an inherent heroic quality which defines the character and his legacy. The entire film takes on a different significance in the wake of his tragic passing in 2020, immortalising him forever in the history of cinema. The huge ensemble cast includes Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, Martin Freeman, Lupita Nyong’o, Daniel Kaluuya, Sterling K. Brown and Forest Whitaker – all of whom are excellent in their respective roles. Michael B. Jordan is an obvious standout as Killmonger – one of Marvel’s best on-screen antagonists to date – while Andy Serkis is clearly having a whale of a time in his scenery-chewing performance as Klaue. My personal favourite performances in the film come from Danai Gurira as Okoye, who balances a subtle sense of humour, action star prowess and a nuanced physical performance throughout, and Winston Duke as M’Baku, who takes a potentially unlikable character and turns him into a funny, endearing and charming supporting protagonist.

Of course, one of the main highlights of Black Panther is Ludwig Göransson’s Oscar and Grammy-winning score, performed live to picture at the Royal Albert Hall by the Chineke! Orchestra and conducted by Anthony Parnther, who conducted the scoring sessions for the film, and introduced the event. Inevitably, the electronic elements of the score were not performed live, and neither was Baaba Maal‘s astonishing vocal work, but the audience were treated to special guest Massama Diop, talking drum soloist, who performed on the original score and played live. Every time he performed on stage – which was admittedly a huge portion of the film – the atmosphere in the Royal Albert Hall was electric, and he more than earned a standing ovation and his encore after the film itself had concluded. Hearing Ludwig Göransson’s musical themes performed live by the Chineke! Orchestra was an experience in and of itself – with or without the film playing alongside them – and allowed for a greater appreciation for the score than listening with headphones or speakers. I hope a Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in Concert isn’t too far away.

Overall, Black Panther is already one of Marvel Studios’ best films in their ever-expanding cinematic universe, while Ludwig Göransson’s score is one of the most distinctive and memorable blockbuster scores in recent memory. To not only see Black Panther on the big screen again, but to hear the score performed live in accompaniment is an incredible experience for both Marvel fans and film music enthusiasts alike.

The Royal Albert Hall regularly screen classic films with live orchestral accompaniment

See our previous reviews for events such as Star Trek and Jurassic Park, plus keep an eye out for more special events and upcoming titles here!