Black Panther (2018)

Another strong, entertaining addition to the ever-expanding Marvel Universe, “Black Panther” gets going from the first few scenes and doesn’t ever let up. In fact, by the time the movie is over it’s hard to believe it’s been over two hours, as it feels like it goes by in a flash. The African-influenced set dressing and costume design are beguiling while the cast fills the screen with confidence, with stand-out performances by Michael B. Jordan, Danai Gurira and Winston Duke amidst an on-screen parade of charisma. The African accents stand out by virtue of their scarcity within big-budget blockbuster American entertainment, and the movie’s deliberately casual embrace of its characters’ roots make the finished product all the more remarkable.

Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)