Does the BLACK PANTHER Live up to its Hype? Marvel's Movie Pretty Good Takes on Justice in the Hood

BLACK PANTHER is busting box office records but for the record, I am not a fan o the superhero action genre movies.  Although, I liked Wonder Woman for it's fish out of water story, WWII historic storytelling & great acting.  BLACK PANTHER, directed by Ryan Coogler (b Amer 1986) and based on Stan Lee's marvelous Marvel character and packed with an all star cast.  (Stan Lee should stick to his day job and stay out of the picture).  Coogler is known for directing FRUITVALE STATION & CREED.  Michael B Jordan was cast a lead in both of these excellent movies and both Cooler & Jordan deserved Oscar nominations.  Jordan is cast as the misguided villain Erik Kilmonger (one of many overkills in the picture) and he delivers another Oscar worthy performance).  The Black Panther (a terrific & moving Chadwick Boseman) is the ruler of a high tech hidden African nation, Wakanda that is technologically way ahead of the rest of the world yet remains hidden & embedded in ancient tribal traditions.  Other outstanding cast members are Nakia (the lovely & talented Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o) plays Erik's love interest but her interests lie with protecting her nation while improving the lives of others.  The omnipotence of the film lies in its socially relevant messaging.  The film is a visual stunner.  Unfortunately, the BLACK PANTHER panders to a trove of tricks that are borrowed from other established movie brands:  James Bond, Star Wars, Kill Bill, The Lion King and cannibalizes other super heroes picks.  The social significance is buried beneath too many battles, car chases & special affects.  The movie is more affective in its calmer scenes than its mounting intergalactic mishmash & mounting weaponry.  Actor Daniel Kaluuya  (Acad. Award nominee for Get Out) is exceptional as one of the Wakanda warriors.  Other actors who phoned it in and should have stayed home are Forrest Whittaker and Angela Bassett.  The always bankable British actor Martin Freeman as an American CIA agent working with the Wakandas seems out of sync.  The film threw everything in including the kitchen sink.  While less is more in many cases such as Wonder Woman and the exceptional film GET OUT, the case here is not to be subtle.  For those who enjoy the comic book super hero genres this film is guaranteed to please.  For those less inclined to be give oneself over to the sci-fi fantasy genre there is still plenty to admire and appreciate especially its prescient powerful stance regarding immigration & social injustice.  I am giving this film a thumbs up, must see although it suffers from blinding dazzle.  The film is fun.  The film that is truly great & deserves an Oscar is GET OUT.