7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 2.9 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 2.9 |
T'Challa, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king.
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Martin FreemanAction | 100% |
Comic book | 87% |
Sci-Fi | 82% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Black Panther was a special production for many involved in its construction, representing not just another movie about a fictional hero capable of great feats but standing as a symbol as the first superhero of African descent. The character debuted in the 1960s, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, at the height of the Civil Rights movement in the United States and has become one of the most beloved icons of the Marvel, and indeed the greater comic book, universe. The character was introduced to moviegoers in the fantastic Captain America: Civil War and is now the focus of Director Ryan Coogler's (Fruitvale Station, Creed) third feature film. Black Panther is a rip-roaring Superhero film steeped in culture and tradition while simultaneously presenting cutting-edge technology and modern-made excitement. The film's arcing plot line is a little stale, but it's a fine, fun flick that performs well above most of its cliché-riddled parts.
The digitally photographed Black Panther looks great on Blu-ray. The image sees precious few stumbles -- trace amounts of macroblocking, less than ideal black levels in an early nighttime scene, a sprinkling of noise here and there -- and what shortcomings there are are always overmatched by the otherwise first-class presentation. The image appears clean and highly detailed. The digital source material doesn't offer a traditional filmic veneer but that's not at the cost of any texturing, which is excellent. Consider the Black Panther outfit, which despite practically materializing out of thin air (or a necklace, in this case), offers some amazingly tangible, tactile ridges and a sense of real material density that the Blu-ray reveals with striking precision. Other intricate and ornate costumes are exceptionally sharp and well defined, too. Facial features are intimately revealing, environments are sharp, and various digital constructs -- 3D character renderings, force fields, flying craft -- come effortlessly sharp. Colors are robust and many. The palette springs to life with a beautifully presented variety of traditional, and very vivid, African colors. The palette finds a natural, balanced harmony that never over-accentuates or dulls any shade. Skin tones are healthy and accurate and black levels, beyond a few minor missteps, are pleasantly deep and true. This is a very attractive release from Disney.
Black Panther roars onto Blu-ray...assuming one cranks up the sound loud enough to properly hear it. This DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack is another in a growing line of Disney films to present at a very low volume. On this reviewer's system, a -12.5db setting is generally a sweet spot, but this, and other recent Disney titles, requires cranking it up to a calibrated reference level of 0.0db to appreciate; at -12.5 the track is audible, but lacks any kind of dynamic command of the stage. Once the volume is properly set, though, the track is quite good, though not quite a beast. Bass is present but not often in any prodigious quantities. There's enough support heft to music, explosions, power flying craft, car chases, and a large-scale battle at film's end to add some dynamism to the track, but this one certainly doesn't rock the stage with any serious, big-time authority. Percussion drum beats are perhaps a notable exception, offering plenty of weight to each strike. Still, the track is never shy about engaging every speaker at its disposal. It's frequently very open, sprawling about and drawing the listener square into the middle of any given scene, from fights for supremacy to the film's climactic battle where all sorts of chaotic sound elements present but never draw the listener's attention away from the main-draw, on-screen action. Several discrete effects are very enjoyable. A tire rolls into the back right speaker following the big car chase in the middle of the film, and craft distinctly fly through the stage towards the climax. Minor atmospheric details are handled well, and dialogue is clear and detailed with natural front-center positioning and some excellent reverberation at the 97-minute mark.
Black Panther's Blu-ray release contains a large assortment of extra content. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase.
Black Panther is not a bastion of narrative creativity, but it's done well, it's exciting, it's well acted, and it's beautifully and passionately crafted. Action, costumes, and conviction make up for a fairly linear storyline that has precious few surprises up its sleeve. It's not the best entry into the MCU, but it's a lot of fun in its exploration of one of the most interesting worlds and engaging characters on the Marvel roster. Disney's Blu-ray is packed with extras, features excellent video, and audio is fine if one cranks it up. Highly recommended.
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