Rather than the cookie-cutter superhero film with a political edge that I’d expected, the film gifted us an immersive universe that was pure mythology at work. Black Panther has arrived in the midst of a resurgence of white nationalism in this county, and I have been interested to see this film for what messages it actually presents in terms of identity politics, rather than what certain resistant folks expect from it. Had I not been somewhat fascinated with current political fringe groups I’d have no idea about these crazy stirrings.

But ultimately, this film is for everyone. No matter how politically polarized the current climate is, people have always been tribal and will always feel fulfilled by seeing good examples of those who look like them. Wakanda is roughly modeled on African cultures but is no more realistic or specific than Asgard in the Thor films or Middle Earth. These civilizations reflect our daydreams of grand, sweeping empires ripe with adventure and conquest. This version of the hero’s journey emphasizes diplomacy and teamwork, giving ample screen time to Nakia, Okoye, and Shuri, the king’s romantic interest, bodyguard, and sister, respectively, through their efforts to defend the honor of Wakanda.

Over time pop culture has grown to question the traditional, larger-than-life hero archetypes, adding post-modern parodies and existentialist anti-heroes to the mix. Those ideas are not new but simply more visible. I older I get, the more realism dominates my taste in fiction. And I feel like the same applies for the world around me. I caught the fantasy wave with fervor, as a devout Harry Potter fan for many years, but graduated from it abruptly and never needed another heroic symbol again. More regrettably, I haven’t sought out an all-encompassing fictional universe again, instead craving stories that address everyday mental health and relationship issues – concerns that are most immediate to me. When I was young, my parents would always proclaim “realistic” movies to be superior and dismiss fantasy as exaggerated and “unrealistic.” My reply would be “I’ll like what I like,” which hasn’t changed, but I would add, “It’s whatever feels real to me.”

After Harry Potter, it’s not to say that no sweeping hero’s tale has grabbed me. People have bemoaned Marvel and DC films for their relentless attachment to sequels and remakes, which just dilute the story into a mushy pile of nothing. But when they do capture us, they don’t let go so easily. Strong characterization prevails over the (illusory) limitations of genre. To me, good and evil are not black and white, but I welcome any story that can change my mind, even briefly. Evil was not so stark in Black Panther, perhaps better characterized as misguided and power-hungry. No matter how egregious the evil force is, what matters more is how to get the audience aligned against it.

Let’s talk more about Black Panther. Or jump on tangents galore.