This review is spoiler-free.

Black Panther, Marvel’s newest movie, centers on T’Challa, who returns to Wakanda, a technologically advanced and wealthy African country, after the death of his father, the king of Wakanda. Despite the obstacles he faces, T’Challa is determined to take his place as king and as Wakanda’s hero, Black Panther. As per the course of most Marvel movies, it’s getting rave reviews, climbing to the top of the box office and being discussed all over social media and in real life. This isn’t surprising: not only is Black Panther visually gorgeous and features brilliant characters, it has provided young black Americans with a powerful role model in these divisive times.

As Wakanda is a fictional country, Marvel was expected to conceptualize it in a way both that would fit the film format and leave an impression on the audiences – they didn’t disappoint. From the advanced technology and palaces to the bustling streets and colorful fashion, the atmosphere is ambitiously realized. Even when few characters are in a setting, there’s still a certain “lived-in” quality to every space.

Speaking of the characters, everyone in the cast bring their best to each role. For example, Chadwick Boseman brings a commanding yet kind performance to T’Challa, which leads to dynamic interactions to any character he meets. From Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), a Wakandan spy passionate about her work, to Shuri (Letitia Wright), the princess of Wakanda, every character is able to distinguish themselves. Most notable is Killmonger (played by Michael B. Jordan), who raises the bar for villains. This is due to the fact that he is not only a genuine threat to the heroes, but he also has motives that many can understand, despite his extreme actions.

Finally, talking about Black Panther wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging its cultural impact. Considering the current political climate regarding minorities, both racism and empowerment have taken the spotlight in modern discussions. Notably, many people are criticizing Hollywood for its lack of stories centering on African Americans, and the stories that include them cast African Americans in positions of little power. However, in our current climate of seeing cultural pride heightened to combat the prejudice that African Americans and other minorities face, Black Panther comes at the perfect time. With scenery laced with traditional African art and infrastructure with the cities, to seeing black characters in the position to wield the power to help those in need, Black Panther’s impact is a landmark for empowerment. As Ryan Coogler, director of Black Panther, said, “For me, it was behind the camera that was the most revolutionary.”