Even though most people have only see the trailer and interviews with cast members, the new "Black Panther" movie hitting theaters this Friday has generated a rhapsodic amount of attention on social media.
That makes sense on a few levels.
First, the movie is being critically acclaimed in a way few superhero movies have ever been.
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Second, it’s the first major movie about the iconic Marvel character.
And, perhaps most importantly, "Black Panther" is an unabashed celebration of African-American culture that challenges Hollywood notions of representation. It features a black director, black screenplay writers, and a primarily black cast. It has a phenomenal soundtrack (featuring Global Citizens like Kendrick Lamar).
It occurs in a fictional African country called Wakanda that was never colonized. By showing an African country as prosperous and thriving, it defies the usual reductive treatment that the continent receives. And it’s being released during Black History Month as people throughout the US reflect on black culture from the past several centuries.
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The movie has become so culturally significant, that celebrities and regular people are donating money to help underprivileged kids attend a screening. Kendrick Lamar’s label director, T.I., and Octavia Spencer are sending thousands of children to see the movie and many more campaigns are on GoFundMe.
When "Black Panther" comes out this weekend, it could become the highest-grossing superhero movie of all time.
All the reasons above are causing the excitement. But the conversation online is amplifying the hype as well.
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Here are 17 of the best reactions to the highly anticipated movie so far.
Congrats to the entire #blackpanther team! Because of you, young people will finally see superheroes that look like them on the big screen. I loved this movie and I know it will inspire people of all backgrounds to dig deep and find the courage to be heroes of their own stories.
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) February 19, 2018
Black Panther
— Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) February 11, 2018
Respect to all the artist/producers that allowed me to execute a sound for the soundtrack.
The concept of producing and composing a project other than my own has always been ideal
I appreciate the experience love ones
Continue to be great
Just watched Black Panther, RUN 2 this Film, Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan off the hook, & EVERY woman in this film, no matter your own race, is the woman you want 2 be. Believe me when I tell you C this movie, it’s SO much more than you think it is.
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) February 14, 2018
Our Future. #BlackPanther
— Lupita Nyong'o (@Lupita_Nyongo) February 15, 2018
Credit: @asiko_artist & @lookslikemeUKpic.twitter.com/gCuVHkuAtF
this is a contender for best pun ever pic.twitter.com/yG3C8kIEcN
— Guy is ALL IN for Solo: A Star Wars Story (@yeblod) October 17, 2017
The trailers for Black Panther don't even begin to do the movie justice. This is easily one of the best Marvel films I've ever seen. #BlackPanther
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) February 14, 2018
Yes, we’re wearing kente because it’s Black Panther season & Black History Month. No, you should not come for us because you think we’re being divisive & schismatic. Yes, we’re going to take some time to acknowledge our dreads, our Afro puffs, and our chocolatey skin. pic.twitter.com/c7uj9ThYh3
— ShinigamE (@WWEBigE) February 14, 2018
If you don’t understand the power of representation, imagine growing up never seeing a superhero who looks like you. When American Girl dolls came out I always picked Addy who had to escape slavery. But now kids have #BlackPanther’s Nakia, Shuri and Okoye. Dope on many levels.
— Natasha Alford 🇵🇷✊🏾👩🏾💻🎥 (@NatashaSAlford) 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
Black Panther is a new high for Marvel on so many levels: the richest exploration of identity and strength and privilege, the deepest bench of complex women, and I think the MCU’s most tragic villain. The atmosphere in the screening room was so charged.
— Emma Dibdin (@emmdib) January 30, 2018
Black Panther was STUNNING. The movie itself tackles a lot of different issues, including a complex villain and the moral struggles that come with being king.
— Dani Fernandez (@msdanifernandez) January 30, 2018
And it truly showed the strength of black women THE ENTIRE TIME.#BlackPanther
Want an impressive stat? Ryan Coogler's first three movies:
— ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) February 10, 2018
FRUITVALE STATION 94% 🍅
CREED 95% 🍅
BLACK PANTHER 98% 🍅 pic.twitter.com/0coFJBh5pk
I woke up this morning, opened my eyes and whispered to myself “Black Panther is here.” And I was instantly recovered from Idris’ engagement. #BlackPanther
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) February 15, 2018
"Hopefully this is the world before Black Panther and the world after. Markets where all-black films have been challenging will maybe be changed forever.” https://t.co/zF2YBcYSAy
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) February 14, 2018
“It isn’t just the idea that black people will exist in the future, will use technology and science, will travel deep into space. It is the idea that we will have won the future. There exists, somewhere within us, an image in which we are whole, in which we are home.” https://t.co/Z9Deqa34Bl
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) February 13, 2018
Wow!!! @blackthought on Black Panther!!! Cannot wait to see it! Taking my whole family! pic.twitter.com/7pPIObV6jS
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) February 13, 2018
#BlackPanther director Ryan Coogler says he's constantly inspired by fellow filmmakers @Ava DuVernay, @JordanPeele and Dee Rees https://t.co/vYgYDdSXmVpic.twitter.com/F1sUgFkuc9
— Variety (@Variety) February 14, 2018