The Steves continue Avengers April with a discussion of 2018's mega-blockbuster Black Panther, along with what's making them happy in pop culture today.
What's Making Us Happy?
Black Panther Discussion
Ending- Any music or audio clips were borrowed from the original source material.
The Steves continue Avengers April with a discussion of 2018's mega-blockbuster Black Panther, along with what's making them happy in pop culture today.
What's Making Us Happy?
Black Panther Discussion
Ending- Any music or audio clips were borrowed from the original source material.
Hello, returning happys and new listeners. This is Steve Bennet- Martin. And this is
Stephen:Stephen Martin-Bennet and welcome to a lifetime
Steve:of happiness. The podcast where we take you on our attorney through some of the. TV shows and other bits of pop culture that are helping to keep us happy. I'll hopefully bring a smile to your face along the way.
Stephen:And today we're continuing a vendor's April with a trip off to a condom. We discuss the
Steve:lack of Panther. Yeah. So excited. But first my love what's been making you happy. So, um,
Stephen:time is really strange, like,
Steve:especially
Stephen:in these years. Yeah. And it like, you know, well, you know, when the. COVID first started March lasted about 17 years all by itself the time. But time seems to go really fast. And this week is my 10 year anniversary at my day job.
Steve:Happy anniversary to you.
Stephen:It just doesn't seem like it's possible that it's been 10 years.
Steve:That's such a huge accomplishment, especially for those who don't know, but like in our senior living industry, People are known to job hop every year or two. My myself included, unfortunately, hopefully that has stopped for me. But for you, you've always been kind of a pillar in this community and reliable and. Dependable and everyone really loves you there. The residents greatly appreciate you. So I'm very happy that you got to celebrate a decade at like Housewives. Thank
Stephen:you very much, darling. That's very kind of you to say. Yes. Um, but what's been making you happy this week. Drag
Steve:queen. Oh yes. Not only are we getting ready to find out this week who the winner of RuPaul's drag race season 14 is
Stephen:a hashed. Team lady Camden. Yes,
Steve:we ort Bosco or
Stephen:hashtag team Bosco or hashtag well peel. Who's the big pill.
Steve:It's a will pill. It's the one hashtag you don't want
Stephen:hashtag no die up Betty. Yes.
Steve:The villain of the season
Stephen:who yay. Finally, um, apologized during the reunion, took her halfway through. But she finally apologized and, um, Jasmine Kennedy, um, posted yesterday that, um, once the cameras turned off, she and Daya sat down for an hour by themselves and really hashed out everything. And they're in a very good place now. Well, that is good. I still don't think she deserves to win. Is entirely a whole
Steve:other topic. Yes. And meanwhile, in addition to wrapping up season 14, we are in the season of drag because shortly after that, we are getting all stars and
Stephen:not just any, all stars, we're getting the all-stars of all stars because it's an all winners
Steve:through. Yes. And who are you most excited to see a return jinx money? Yes, I love jinx. I thought you would say that I also, um, as much as in her original season, Trinity was pretty much the villain of that season. I fell in love with her in all stars.
Stephen:Oh, absolutely. Her all-stars return. It was like, it was a totally different Trinity. And I came to love Trinity, the season. She was. And so now I'm really excited to have her back and she's going to be in Sarasota in June. Yeah, I
Steve:know. I can't wait to see her there. And I pretty sure that project pride is really glad they booked her before that announcement because I'm sure her, her class went up as soon as it was announced that she was returning to the stage. Yes. But yes, uh, we are very excited for that, but you know what, we're also really excited for. Black Panther. Yes. Uh, for those of you who somehow have been sleeping under a rock, uh, who don't know, uh, IMDV describes black Panther as to Cholla heir to the hidden, but advanced kingdom of Wakanda must step forward to lead his people into a new future and must confront a challenger from his country's past.
Stephen:Ah, you know, with the Marvel movies, it's hard to. Summarize them, but that actually does a pretty decent job. I
Steve:agree, but why do we love black Panthers so much and chose to feature him as one of our vendors and Avengers, April. So
Stephen:a it's just a really, really good movie. It's well acted. It's well directed. It's well shot the action scenes, the cinematography, the special effects. It's all really good. One of my favorite things is it's representation of black X. On film and representation in general, because as we know, as LGBTQ people, representation
Steve:matters. Yeah. It certainly does. And not only is it very clear, just the amount of black excellence on screen as the majority of the cast, as well as the crew that worked on it and created it are of African-American descent, but it also has some of the strongest females I've seen in all of Marvel. Oh,
Stephen:All bow down to the door and
Steve:Malaysia. Exactly. Yes. And just, they did such an amazing job. I mean, we'll get into where we, you know, we previously saw black Panther himself briefly and captain America, civil war, but most of these characters were introduced for the first time here and something, I feel like they succeeded at, in this movie that Marvel, especially as it was getting started in like phase one and most of phase two was. Getting depth of characters that aren't the superheroes that we know from the comics, but just this, the supporting characters, the villains, like everyone here is just complex. They're people first before they're stereotypes or tropes or characters. Like they, they all have their own backstories that, you know, whether you got it from a line or just from how they are, as people they're fully realized in a way that I love
Stephen:100% and something that I. Like even some of the smaller parts, like Angela Bassett as queen Ramonda, um, could easily have just been a background character, but because of her talent and also the writing and things, she portrays her love of country, her dead husband, her children, so well, like you see, she is a fully realized character and it's a smaller part. But it's all there. Yes. You're not having to read into it. It's there.
Steve:Yes. And as we take a trip back to memory lane, we are bringing ourselves back to February 16th, 2018. When this came out as the 18th film in the Marvel cinematic universe, which it,
Stephen:that was four years ago and so much has happened in the last four years. It honestly seems. Longer
Steve:ago. Yes. Well, because we were able to go see it as sin to be straight, without having to worry about masks before we even knew what masks would mean. Um, and the film was directed by Ryan Coogler, who co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Robert Cole.
Stephen:Yeah. Coogler came to fame with 20 fifteens creed and has since gone on to produce the award-winning Judas and the black Messiah. Now I may be incorrect, but I'm pretty sure that. Probably Coogler brought Michael B. Jordan on because Michael B. Jordan
Steve:is creed. Yes, there are certainly have worked together before. Meanwhile Cole previously produced the amazing season of American crime story. The people versus OJ Simpson. Oh, sorry.
Stephen:And the first time I heard the F word on prime time television, or
Steve:wasn't it the C-word to probably yes. Now the movie stars, Chadwick Boseman as challah AK black Panther alongside Michael B. Jordan as Eric Killmonger and Lupita neon go as Nikia
Stephen:and Bozeman is previously known for roles in Lincoln Heights and persons unknown. Um, Michael B. Jordan won America's heart and Friday night. But some people might also know him in the multi-verse of marvels, checkered past. As Johnny storm in the ill-conceived 2015 iteration of fantastic
Steve:four. Ouch. They are going to be doing a redo on that. And like phase five or six, I
Stephen:think we may be getting it at the end of four. Wow.
Steve:Well that would be FedEx. And Lupita and Django became a household name after her role is Patsy and 12 years a slave and is known in the star wars universe for her role as mass Kanada.
Stephen:And we also love her from the zombie movie on Hulu, um, little creatures or,
Steve:uh, little monster monsters. That was really good. Yes.
Stephen:Now it has a supporting cast, uh, deny. Um, who we know from the walking dead as clay and coy, Martin Freeman is, um, agent Ray Everett. K Ross.
Steve:Yes. Daniel Kalua as Macaby
Stephen:Leticia, right as Sheree
Steve:Winston, duke, as
Stephen:Angela Bassett as queen Ramonda, Forrest
Steve:Whitaker
Stephen:as Zuri and Andy circus as Ulysses.
Steve:Yes. And with a budget of$200 million, it had a box office of 1.3, four,$8 billion. It also was the first MC movie to make up its budget entirely during its opening weekend, bringing in$202 million between Thursday night and then Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Stephen:This was also the first movie that, um, people attempted to review box. Um, to attempt to make it fail because people are racist because people are racist and awful with, um, two weeks ago when we covered captain Marvel being the one that they tried after.
Steve:Yes. And the challah debuted in Marvel comics and fantastic four number 52 in July of 1966. And he was created by Stanley and Jack Kirby as the first African-American superhero in mainstream comics to
Stephen:tell it became the black Panther and king of Wakanda. After he lists his claw killed his father and it was in meeting the fantastic four that he decided his powers would be best put to use servicing all of humanity rather than welcome. Despite what Conda traditionally being closed off to the outside world previously?
Steve:Yes. And I find that interesting that in the comics, Ulysses clause, the one who killed his father, we now to Charla debuted in captain America, civil war in 2016, when his father was killed in the bombing at the accord. Which caused them to assume the mantle of black Panther, but it's interesting that they bring in the villain from the comics that was responsible for his father's death. And, you know, still plays a very big role in the creating him as the king of Wakanda and this movie very much so. Yes. And Erik Killmonger, meanwhile, was created by Don McGregor and rich buckler and debuted in jungle. Action. Number six in September, 1973. And the comics, he's not a relative of challah, although he has attempted to take Wakanda over. Like we see in this movie
Stephen:previously in the MCU.
Steve:Yes. As I mentioned that we saw him in captain America, civil war, he debuted along with Spider-Man and anyone who says that it isn't a full-blown Avengers movie is more than a cat movies kidding themselves because it's an Avengers movie.
Stephen:Oh yeah. And I think that the only reason. That they didn't just call it an Avengers movie is because they really wanted to dive into the whole cap and Bucky,
Steve:um, romance. Yes. And this film picks up one week later,
Stephen:which is also just crazy to think of how compressed time-wise the MCU movies are. But as a fan of the Marvel comics, we also know that. From time moves differently. Time moves differently in the Marvel. Faster
Steve:or slower, depending on what's best for the plot.
Stephen:But in terms of, you know, 60 plus years of comics, it's only been about 14 years of real world time.
Steve:And the movie starts off with the voice of a young boy asking his Bubba to tell him the story, the adult voices, that the story of vibranium a gigantic media, right with the toughest metal crashed in the region of the sources of the Nile river, millions of years ago. And it affected the planet. Later in the age of humans, five tribes in the land named Wakanda battles for control of the vibranium until a spirit led a certain warrior to find and eat a heart shaped herb effected by the metal.
Stephen:He gained superhuman abilities and became king. And the first black Panther for the five tribes submit to his power, but one tribe, the Jabari tribe once. The Wakandans use the vibranium to develop highly advanced technical. But isolate themselves from the rest of the world, presenting themselves as a third world country of farmers and textile workers.
Steve:Yes. And they did a good job of like introducing the whole concept of vibranium because it is such an important piece. Of what kind of technology while also establishing the history fairly quickly. And I find it interesting, like in the comics, people just don't know about what Conda, until it becomes a common knowledge here. They actually are like, well, we can't pretend we don't exist because of geography. Right? So they just instead present themselves as a third world country, which I feel is a pretty, like more logical way of saying it rather than just like we hide on a map where you can't see
Stephen:us. The we fast forward to Oakland, California, 1992, where prince and played by Sterling K brown from this is us vows to share of a conduct technology with people of African descent around the world, in order to help them take over and conquer. There are pressers in Joe boo, endless black market arms dealer, Ulysses claw to infiltrate, Wakanda and remove a cache of vibrant. King to Chaka learns of his brother's actions. He confronts and Joe boo, who becomes angry and threatens to kill to Chaka his loyal friend, Zuri, who has been posing there as a spy. And we find out later, um, that king to Chaka reluctantly kills his brother and Joe BU to save. But in the, in midst of all this, they decided to abandon and Joe son, Eric in Oakland, California in order to prevent the Wakandan people from learning the truth of the entire matter.
Steve:Yes. And that certainly comes back to bite Wakanda in the, but yes, but, um, what was interesting here is the language that they're speaking, uh, is real language.
Stephen:Cosa. It's a south African language characterized by clicks and glottal stops. And it's the same language native to Nelson Mandela from the Cape region of South Africa.
Steve:It also is the native language of the father who, uh, king to Chaka and, uh, in real life.
Stephen:Oh, that's fantastic.
Steve:Yeah. And that's what kind of, why they chose that language out of all the different dialects in Africa is because like that's. Kink to Chaka spoke natively in real life. So that's the language that they chose because of that. I love that. I know I saved that for you to surprise you here. Good surprise. And knowing how it ends. Uh, what do you think to Chuck as biggest error was killing his brother or leaving Eric behind. It's not
Stephen:killing his brother, killing his brother. His brother was already becoming a trader to the country and was willing to kill. Respected members of the Royal council and things. It was leaving Eric behind if they had brought Eric back. Um, we might've prevented this, but also in the end, we know that, um, because what Marvel does better. Anybody else? Our gray area
Steve:villains. Yes. And that certainly becomes true in this movie. Um, in the present day, following to Chuck his death at the hands of helmet, Zemo, uh, his son to Shiloh, which returns to a Conda to assume that. Along the way he works with a coy, the leader of the all female fighting force known as the Dora Milaje and they extract his ex-lover Nikia and from an underground, undercover assignment in Nigeria's SIM Baeza forest in order to request that she be there.
Stephen:So in this action sequence, it's fantastic because they immediately show that a coy and Nikia are as equally capable as to challah. Like, and I think that's important to show. And we also get to see more of the Dora Malaysia, but I think it's fantastic that the elite fighting force of this. Is women only. Yes.
Steve:Agreed. And we get to see a little bit of the, the basis and, uh, substance behind to challah and Nikias relationship. I mean, at first she was offended like how dare you ruin my undercover mission. You compromise. But at the same time, the moment that she finds out, it's because his father passed and he's taking the throne, she's willing to just drop everything, to follow and support him. And you can see that love there with the way that even on like the plane, the flight over there, you see her kind of holding his hand in his arm and like, they're like arm in arm and she's kind of consoling him. And you can just tell that while they might be exes, that there is still love there. For sure.
Stephen:And I also love that a coy has that relationship with where she. When you see her don't freeze. Yes. And then he does freeze. And then later, um, when we get to see Sheree Sheree looks to equate and goes, did he freeze in a nicoise is like, like a deer in headlights. And that shows that they may be the Royal family, but they also have a familial familial bond with all the people that are around them. And that speaks volumes to their character and characterization as well. Yes.
Steve:Uh, great. And they make it into the main cities of Wakanda behind the shield that also acts as a hologram to hide the advanced civilization.
Stephen:And what we are shown is beyond anything else on earth, even though superhero movies are technically scifi. What we see in Wakanda is what you would see from like a space scifi type a movie. Okay. For
Steve:sure. And once he returns home, he reunites with his mother queen Ramonda, who is Regal AAF. Yes. And younger sister, princess Sherry, the nation's current technological genius
Stephen:and Sheree has, um, a really great line because he was talking about some things and she's like, well, this is a new iteration. And he's like, it's fine. And she goes just because something works doesn't mean it can't be improved.
Steve:Yes. And as she walks away, she flips some off and like, instantly I love her. I know.
Stephen:And the queen without turning around knows what she's doing. And she goes, Sheree, sorry, mother. And I was like, and I immediately loved the queen. More like their interactions are so good. It was a two minute scene at Mo. And completely nailed what we needed to know about
Steve:these characters. Exactly. And in London, a gang led by an X, U S black ops soldier, Eric Stevens, a K Killmonger and claw steel, an ancient Wakandan vibranium acts from a museum and
Stephen:they also poison the museum curator and she dies very painfully
Steve:from coffee. I know. And it makes, you never makes you think twice before I serve you coffee in the morning.
Stephen:Oh, damn, you didn't make coffee
this
Steve:morning. I did, ah,
Stephen:at the kingship ceremony, we see an epic display of Wakandan technology mixed with traditional ceremony, um, because they empty the waters of the waterfall to reveal a cliff side so that the ceremony can take place to make to challah king. That in and of itself was. A really great visual display.
Steve:It certainly was. And I mean, the costume designers certainly deserve a shout out. As you see the different tribes across the cliffs, you can tell that they all are like, have their different cultures and they all have these different ceremonial garbs that are just gorgeous.
Stephen:Yeah. Now to challah is challenged for the crown by inbox. The leader of the fifth tribe, the mountain dwelling, Jabari, and the, to engage in ritual combat with, to channel emerging victorious and becoming the new king. And he has the option to kill in Baku, but such Allah being to challah instead pushes him to yield and lets him live. And the interesting thing that makes sense. Fair for all involved. Is that to channel a, has to drink this potion that takes away the black Panther power.
Steve:Yes. So they were equals when he won and it's pretty good. It's a seeing how the rest of the movie goes that he let him Baku live. Yes. Um, and comic book enthusiasts were very wary when they learned that in Baku would be included in the cast because in the comics, he's a problem, problematic villain that goes by Manet.
Stephen:Yeah, I'm pretty sure that MCU was like, thank goodness we know his first name. Thank
Steve:goodness. I really highly doubt that we'll be seeing his, uh, that moniker ever future.
Stephen:And one of the great things that this scene shows us that at the heart of it all Wakandans value honor, tradition, ancestors, ceremony, and ritual, and no matter how advanced they may be. It's these values that they hold true.
Steve:Yes. And this is also the first time of hearing Wakanda forever, which is what Kaunda forever. Yes. Which has now become, you know, a battle cry for all enthusiasts and supporters of the movie. Yes. And the title of the sequel.
Stephen:Yes. Black Panther. Wakanda
Steve:forever. Yes. And to challenge. Given the power of the black Panther through the ritual with the heart shaped herb while lying in beautiful red sand and just the colors in that cave. I mean, a Cape could easily be seen as like dark and like dungeon almost, but it's just beautiful with the purple flowers and the red sand. And he's buried ceremonially and awakens in a dream realm where we see as ancestors, as black Panthers and his father passes on the. And is it me, or did that seem give like super lion king vibes? So it
Stephen:totally, um, gave off the exact same thing of, um, you know, that part in the lion king where, um, symbol looks up in his father's in the cloud and is talking to him as the shape and the cloud that
Steve:Sachs yelling that I got, I was like writing for him to be. You can go beat scar
Stephen:rock, movie, wrong movie. Now his father gives him this amazing advice and says, you're a good man with a good heart. And it is hard for a good man to be king. Yeah. And I think we see that in presidents as well, that, you know, we want a good person to be our. And that is true, but we also need that good person to be able to make the hard decisions. And that's what to Chaka is telling to channel it is you have a good heart. You will come from the right place. But you're going to have to do things you may not
Steve:want to do. Yes. And I mean, up to this point, you know, it's a child definitely sees his father on the, a lot of very high pedestal, which comes crashing down when we, he learns about what his father did to his uncle. Um, and it just kinda goes to show you, and we're kind of hints at. Yes. And we get to see more Nicaea and challah together as he requests that she stays. And she insists that she can't because she has her calling out in the world. We hear she wants to provide aid to other countries and people in need. Well, he wants to keep things the way they are. And you can definitely sense that, like that was the crux of what caused them to split. Is that difference in ideas? Yes. And I, I love when he makes a comment about her being queen, but she's stubborn. And what does she say? I
Stephen:would make a great queen because I am stubborn if that was what I wanted.
Steve:Yes. And I love that. And yeah, you can see even in the market, their technology, but they still don't forget the simple things like handmade
Stephen:items. Like you see the woven baskets and things that are for sale there. And, you know, the open air market food stops and stuff like that mixed with the light rail going up over their heads. I love the blend of traditional and technology that Wakanda has.
Steve:Yes. And when the tribal elders receive word that claw has resurfaced in South Korea to Charles, for friend work hobby, and I use friend and air quotes, um, urges the young Monarch to bring them to justice because he lost his parents as a result of the dealer's actions. Um, in that same scene, we learned that what Cabi and a coy are a thing because she calls them. But after his betrayal later, do you think that there's any chance that they work things out or did she dump his ass?
Stephen:Um, she, 100% dumped his ass, but I think the big question is, is he still alive or did she let him live the life as a shameful trace?
Steve:I have a feeling he's still alive, but, um, yeah, definitely a trader. I did not like him. I mean, he's characterized well, yeah, but I mean, at the same time, I mean, you build, you know, they say at one point that he's like the Charles Best friend, but like he doesn't act like a friend at all.
Stephen:No. And like, it's real quick that he changes. I mean, We see in a little bit, but I mean, once things in South Korea didn't go well, we'll, copy's already mad and right.
Steve:And it's not like he just like flips back and forth depending on a whim. Once he made that flip over to siding with Killmonger, he had multiple chances and options to stand down or to apologize, or to rescind his actions. And he never chose it up until the very end. Yeah.
Stephen:So he brought that on
Steve:himself. Yeah. And before they go out to Korea to stop claw, we get to see Sheree doing her thing in the tech lab. And this is the Disney princess that we've all been waiting for.
Stephen:Uh, I love Sheree and especially the things that she creates in her brain and her. Like her sneakers,
Steve:sneakers that help you
Stephen:sneak. Yup. Because they're shoes that create no sound when you walk, no matter how hard you jump or run or anything.
Steve:Yes. And also the Knights in the new suit doing the ultimate. Like I am rubber, you're glue pipe of like, if you hit it and then you hit it again, it bounces back with like double the
Stephen:power and she doesn't tell him that so that it knocks him on. And she's recording it and laughing the whole time. And she's like, and he says, delete that video
Steve:now. Yeah. But what I love about her, her tech in her brains is like that it's not questioned like really by anyone in the country. And she's not told that because she's a princess. She used to just sit behind the queen and watch the queen run the world, or just wait for her time to come. You know, she must've shown her interest in tech at a young age and they just. Let her embrace it fully. And
Stephen:like, we have no idea how old she is. She could be 15. She could be 22. Yeah.
Steve:Because black don't crack
Stephen:or because they don't say yes
Steve:exactly. But at the same time, it is. Also great, just to see that like she's strong in a different way. And that's what I like about this movie. And the way that they portrayed women is that, you know, you have the strong, powerful fighter in a coy. You have the strong regalness behind the queen, and then you have the strength of will and intelligence that you get with Sheree. And it just goes to show that women can be strong and more than just physical strength.
Stephen:Oh. And you know that, um, Angela bath. Is the personification of the queen in real life, as we've seen her, if only Leticia, right. We're like Shuri in real life. Yeah. Yes. And because
Steve:I don't follow news because it makes me sad. Tell us a little bit about what almost didn't get to come to pass in the second movie.
Stephen:So Sheree is the biggest believer in science and technology Leticia, right? I spent a good portion of the pandemic, um, doubting vaccines and spreading disinformation about the virus and ways to prevent it. And, um, like there were issues with her. They wanted everyone on set to be vaccinated and be safe. And she was preventing that. So there were talks of, you know, No Shuri for black Panther too. I believe it is all fixed now, but it's kind of, you know, we know that actors and characters are completely different. It's just sad that they're polar opposites.
Steve:Yeah. It's polar opposite in this case. Yes. Now the Shala a coy and the Kia planter intercept. At an underground casino in Busan where we know from the train at Busan
Stephen:to see it here before the zombie
Steve:apocalypse. I know, but that movie was awesome too. Yes, I'm there. He's going to be selling the ax to an unknown buyer. The plan, whoever goes wrong when to cello discovers the buyer is CIA agent Everett, Ross, and Klaus suspects. The deal as a setup, it subsequently goes sour and a car chase and sues that culminates in class. Clause apprehension. So
Stephen:this car chase scene is so good. You have Nikia and a coy in one car, and then you have Surrey remote control. Um, the other car with on top and because there are four vehicles and they have to split up, you know, you're not sure which one is following clon, which one are his henchmen, and it's fast paced through the streets of Busan and it's amazing martial arts and fighting and special effects. And it was all so really, really well done. It was one of my favorite action sequences.
Steve:Yeah. And I mean, it's followed by, I mean, it's proceeded by another equally amazing action sequence in the casino where you see them like going from story to story and the way that they weave through the three of them kicking ass and taking names. But I mean, in that moment, I just. Had such a, like a metaphorical, like hard-on for Okoye and just how amazingly powerful she was during the scene, um, fighting in that sexy red gown and using your wig as a weapon.
Stephen:I love that she hated wearing the wig
Steve:and she just, at the first chance she got, yeah. But one thing that I also thought when I was watching the scene is. Fighting in that gown, she was able to fight well in it. Like she wore the gown, knowing that she would have to likely end up fighting or that it was at least a possibility, but it also made me realize like so many times when we see female heroes or female, like action stars. At an event that switches to a fight, they instantly have to like rep us repertoire and their address, or so it's above the knee. Um, exactly. And it almost like goes to show that, you know, it feels like in that moment, in those movies that they're having to sacrifice their femininity and their beauty in order to be able to be efficient at combat. And I love that it shows here that you can be, uh, you know, she doesn't have to detract from her femininity to be strong and powerful.
Stephen:All right. And another one of those of, um, show don't tell. Yes. And while in CIA custody claw reveals the truth about what Condon vibranium. Who is totally shocked by all of this. And, um, before getting rescued by Killmonger, Ross is seriously injured by a bullet from Killmonger while saving Nikia and the attack. And rather than pursue klong to challah takes Ross to a common. Where Sarah uses the advanced technology there to save Ross's
Steve:life. Yes. And a throw away line that doesn't make sense if you didn't watch captain America civil war or the post credit scene for this movie, but she says another broken white boy for us to fix painting towards Bucky's post credit scene that we see because
Stephen:after the whole winter soldier thing, he came to get his mind.
Steve:Right? Yes. And it was amazing that they were able to do that, like with their science as well as. Being in the healing atmosphere.
Stephen:Right. And what was the other really cute thing you found?
Steve:Well, I mean, she, she points out here. The he's a broken white boy and he is one of the two like main actors in the movie who are Caucasian, um, in the onset Martin Freeman and Andy circus were known as the token white guys, because they also started together in the Hobbit films. I
Stephen:love that token, not token. I think that's hysterical and. But also how great that they were able to make this whole big budget, huge movie with pretty much two white guys as the only white people were usually in the other way round. It's a token black actor.
Steve:Yeah. And you know, Martin Freeman went on record to say that. This is what they all go through in every other movie that they're in. You know, it's only fair that I go through it and that, you know, he didn't really feel like. Token or the token, but, um, at the same time, I mean, what I like about the character that he plays of Adrian Ross is like, once he realizes that he's like out of his element, he doesn't have like, that hurt white male privilege that you can often see in toxic masculinity. Um, you know, even in, um, when they're later, when they go to the other tribe to try and get help and he's, he speaks up and they all start like, Making eight noises at him and say one more word, and you'll be dead. He just, you know, stops. He stops and he shuts up like he should. And you know, there are a lot of white men out there who I'm sure wouldn't have taken kindly to that plane. And exactly. So he, he knows he's an outsider or as a later calls him a colonizer. Yeah. Um, and he just, he respects it though. And he respects this country, this place.
Stephen:So after noticing kill mongers matching ring from their grandfather, um, Zuri refused, reveals, um, to, to Shala how his father killed his uncle and abandoned his cousin. And that sets a whole thing in motion, you know, with, to challah and needing to go with Nikia, to talk about, talk about it and get some quiet time because it's shaken to. Everything he thought he knew about his
Steve:father. Yes, it is very difficult. And in Marvel loves parent issues. Yes. If you're a male protagonist, you have daddy issues. If you're a female protagonists, you have mommy issues or sometimes they flip it around. But pretty much like it's very rare to find a superhero that doesn't have issues with one or the other parent. Yup. And, uh, meanwhile, while he's having that client moment, Killmonger kills claw and takes his body to a condo as a token, revealing his identity. And Joe Booz son to the tribal elders and challenging to challah for the throne with that's when we're Cabi instantly flipped sides without a second thought. Uh,
Stephen:so angry, um, unfortunately Killmonger triumphs and this ritual combat and kills Zuri and the process and hurls the defeated to challah over a waterfall. And the, at this moment, everybody realizes it. That things are gone really bad because if it had been like, if it had been him in Baku who won the first time yeah. Sheree and the queen would not have needed to worry about their lives or their safety, like the Jabari would not have done that when this happens, Nikia prepares to flee with Shuri, Ross and Ramana.'cause they know they're going to be killed as well. Oh yeah. And, but then a coy regretfully shares that as general of the door in Malaysia, she has to be loyal to the throne, no matter the king. And so while a coy serves their country, Nikia wants to save the country. Yes.
Steve:And can you blame a Quaid for her loyalty to the throne?
Stephen:Uh, no, because the way I saw it is. You could see it as military servicemen that are loyal to the United States, no matter who's president or even more specifically secret service agents that are loyal to the president. No matter who's the
Steve:president. Yes. And I mean, uh, you can, even for us, like kind of pair it to employers in real life. I mean, with your decade at lake house, you showed that loyalty for me. If you know everyone above me just drastically changed to be villains overnight. It'd be very hard for me to say, yeah, I'm going to confidently stick with this job. Even though Killmonger is my new supervisor,
Stephen:you never know. He could put in really good health benefits.
Steve:True. And now after ingesting the heart shaped herb to gain the powers of the black Panther, Killmonger burns the remaining crops in order to prevent future Kings. Uh, while in the Kia grabs one on her way before the crop is lost.
Stephen:Killmonger then an acts, his father's plan, preparing shipments of Wakanda and weapons to the distributed Wakandan war, dog, operatives that are around the
Steve:world. Yes. And while his methods are certainly villainous, what are your thoughts in his philosophy? I mean, should what content technology be shared with those in need?
Stephen:Okay. So I see it as two different things. There is what condom technology that is weaponry. And then there is Wakanda technology for. Crops health, things like that. I do believe that what condom technology that can help people should be shared with those in need. I don't think that what kind of technology should be shared with those of African descent to just overthrow the world. And I don't think most people would agree with that. I, but because. You know, there's the, they have a line later about where the sun will never set on the kingdom of Wakanda, meaning that we'll condo will control the entire world. That's not good for anybody. Um, but what condom technology that can help people not be hungry, not be sick as they are, things like that. Absolutely. If you can share and help those types of people, it's like how we share. Medicines and things with their rural countries or ways to, um, bring water to arid climates
Steve:very well said. And one thing I noticed during these scenes with Killmonger as well, the majority of the film has this amazing instrumental soundtrack. Uh, when Killmonger is on screen, it goes to modern day, Kendrick Lamar, uh, showing that he is more American and modern than what Conduent and traditional. And that is also
Stephen:a really good. Uh, another thing of show don't tell, like, because those are easily things that could be skipped or
I
Steve:forgotten. Yes. Now Nikia Sherry Ross, and Charles' mother Ramonda flee to seek the aid of the Jabari and learn inboxes men have found and are caring for the comatosed Shala healed by the heart shape or brought by Nikia he's buried in the snow and is able to confront his father in the dreamscape and declare. Has planned to fix the problems that his father caused.
Stephen:So the original plan that Nikia and Ramonda had on the way there was to give that herb to embark who, for him to be the black Panther, um, and save the country because though they may have differences. It's someone that they technically know they could
Steve:trust. Yes. Now, could this be the new plan, given Chadwick Bozeman's untimely death in real life for the upcoming Wakanda forever. Uh,
Stephen:I don't know. Um, I know that there were large battles online on social media of, um, should we replace, should we recast to challah because, um, the character of black Panther and to challah has a long and storied history in the Marvel universe. And they had many, many plans for him in the Marvel cinematic, you know, And with us moving towards mutants, um, there are that potential if they, you know, go away from the Nicaea route, um, with the storm and to child love romance. Um, so I know it's not an entirely popular opinion and you know, at the time, right after his death, it was harder. I think now that a couple of years ago, I think it's okay to recast the character of, to challah with someone else besides Chadwick Boseman. That's my personal opinion. Um, I don't think it dishonors what he brought, um, because nobody can do what he did, but I think this is one of those things where the character is potentially more important than the actual. Um, there were also rumors of Sheree being the new black Panther because, uh, if I'm correct, she took over the mantle in, um, the comics for a bit. They have been very, very secretive of the plot and the actors involved in the new black pants. So I have no definitive information.
Steve:Yeah. I mean, as of December of 2021, Marvel execs opened up about their decision, not to recast Chadwick Bozeman's role, but other fans are reacting including Chadwick Bozeman's brother in real life, uh, who voiced his approval for the childhood to be recast. Because I feel like there is so much to the character that while it's tragic, what happened with Bozeman? Uh, you know, there's still more story to be told there. Um, especially given that he in the comics, he is typically one in the same. There are so many other mantles that are picked up by different people. I mean, even Thor, which we'll see coming up 11 thunder. Ironman in the future could be someone else. Like there are different iterations of so many different superheroes, but from the challah is black Panther. Exactly. And so it'll be interesting to see what they do with that, but I also, if it had to be recast to be someone else in the movie, I do think that plot-wise and story-wise in Baku would be a now. And they'd be a good way to keep his character in the universe, without him having to go by his, uh, previous moniker
Stephen:now and something, because we do read comics and we know how this happens. Um, and we're about to head into the multi-verse. We could a in the future. To challah could just get better because we know that death in comic book movies is not always permanent and with a multi-verse house. A to challah from another universe could look
Steve:slightly different, look slightly different. Yeah. And judge holla that we know and love yep. Returns to a conduct to renew his combat with Killmonger to take over the throne because it was never officially concluded because he never died or conceited. Yeah. So his,
Stephen:um, challenges, challenges still going and Killmonger refuses to cooperate. Um, but his claimed to the throne is immediately invalidated. So a koi and the door in Malaysia can turn against him because technically. still the king. Yes.
Steve:However, what Cabi and his tribe have no issue raising their arms against the, to challah and the door in Malaysia, as well as raising their rhinos against him. Oh. And I hate him and I get that. They have to have someone else to fight a can't be just Killmonger versus all of Wauconda. Right. But, um, as much as the rhinos were villains here, I think that the rhinos were also really bad-ass and really cool to have light armored in the vibranium and like doing their thing.
Stephen:Yes. I mean, I could see Remy wearing vibranium.
Steve:Yes. I don't think he'll be as equipped of a fighter unless it's a battle against the squirrels.
Stephen:I don't know. You see how ferocious he can be.
Steve:That's true. Now, speaking of ferocious, Killmonger is now wearing a suit of black Panther armor of his own, uh, and resists with forests along with the border tribe, uh, while Xu, Sheri, Nikia, and Jabari battle. Ross piloting our remote jet with Sheree's guidance tries to shoot down the planes, carrying the weapons before they can leave the country. So
Stephen:Nikia has a moment where Sherry tells her to just Dawn the door and Malaysia armor, and she refuses saying I'm not a Dora and till Shuri insists, it's just armor. And so often heroes are defined by the costumes they wear and Nikia is clearly pushed back against becoming. How do you feel about the concept? Is it just armor or does it mean more or what do you think
Steve:in this instance, they make it a point, which I like to say that it is just armor, but I can also see the ideology and the symbolism behind the armor. I mean, so oftentimes, especially in superhero movies, the costumes are what make the hero. Without the tech, there is no iron man. He's just Tony stark, right? Without the shield cap is just strong and Steve Rogers. And so I can see, especially in this universe where she sees people being defined by the armor that they wear. Put on that armor. I mean, it would be the same way, you know, in real life, if someone, you know, was against their, with their parents, like serving in the military and having to put on the, you know, military outfit for something just how like triggering that could be. Um, and you know, it is just armor in this case. It is just to protect her, which she needs in the battle. But I can see that, that strong internal struggle with it. And I think that it's just really crunchy, especially in this world where. Oftentimes it isn't just armor. It is a symbol. I, and
Stephen:I completely agree in this instance, it's to save her life where if any other time she would not have done it and Shuri isn't right. When she says it's just armor because it's not, but in this instance, it's like a Bulletproof vest. Yeah. And she does need that. And time is of the us. But the door in Malaysia armor does mean more. And I agree with Nikia saying. I'm not a Dora. I can't wear that. Yes.
Steve:And so I thought that was really crunchy.
Stephen:Why don't you tell our fans, but crunchy means,
Steve:I mean, well, crunchy when you're eating potato chips. So it's like that crunchy noise that you make because you're digesting it. And so I, when I say crunchy, I mean, like, it's like crunchy for your brain. Like as your brains digesting it, like the topic is crunchy. Like there's something to it there that, you know, the, when I saw it, I mean, Two lines in the film, but there's a lot there, there, and like, you need to take the time to digest it, to chew it in your brain, to be able to figure out where you kind of stand on it. And so that's what I mean by crunchy. It's just the whole concept of, you know, is it just armor or what does that mean for Nikia after a lifetime of trying to say that she doesn't want to become a door, that she wants more from it, you know,
Stephen:because the Dora don't leave
Steve:Wakanda and she does. That's what I mean by crunchy. Thank you for sharing
Stephen:that. What's
Steve:also less crunchy and more flashy and fighty is to challah and Killmonger battling. It carries them into the heart of the vibranium mine, where Sonic disruptors used in the transport of the metal incapacitate, their vibranium armor. So you can see where that fights going as they have powers and they don't have powers and they have powers and they don't have. Um, meanwhile, the battle above goes poorly for to challah side till when Baku and the Jabari arrived to support him. And that turns, the tide acquire is then able to get the little prick where Cabi to finally stand down. Uh, Ross Ross is also struggling to shoot the escaping cargo ships with vibranium because while he's piloting. In VR in real life, the lab that he's in is being attacked. And I love that. Like even sure he's giving him the out, he's giving him, she's giving him the chance to escape for his life and he could easily turn his back on the Wakandans and save his own ass there. But instead he puts himself back into the simulator so that he's able to get that last ship just in time for him to escape.
Stephen:Yeah. That and that in and of itself prevents, um, Killmonger his plan from being an actor. Like at that point, you know, no matter what happens down below, there is not enough power on Killmonger side to re-enact this plan again. And they're able to stop that from happening now in the fight down below Killmonger, his body is briefly exposed and to Chella stabs his cousin, he takes Killmonger to see the sunset of Wakanda and offers to heal. But Killmonger is states that he knows he'll just be imprisoned and would rather die a free man. He pulls the dagger out of his chest and dies peacefully.
Steve:Yes. And I mean, for a villain who was ready to. You know, cause wars across the world. Uh, it is very touching when he dies. You know, we know that his father always told them that there was nothing more beautiful than our Condon sunset, and he's able to see it before he passes and the way that they do it while. So Charlie is the one who put the blade in or the dagger into his chest. They make sure that he's also the one who's able to heal him so that when a Killmonger pulls it out, Killmonger is basically killing himself. So our hero doesn't have that blood on his hands. Metaphorically speaking. Yep. Um, could, do you think there could have been redemption for Killmonger? Had he not let
Stephen:himself die? Absolutely. I think there could have, I think with some time with. And seeing how Wakanda actually operates. He could have gotten to a different place beyond the idea of, um, total world domination. Um, and also the fans whenever, um, Chadwick Boseman died were very much in favor of a resurrected Killmonger. The new black Panther.
Steve:Yes. Which I could see that as well. And whether it be resurrected or from the multi-verse where maybe he could have, maybe
Stephen:he didn't have that, um,
Steve:past maybe he was eating, he comes from it the whole time. Maybe he comes from a universal. Where, you know, they brought him back and that, that he's just Chaka did the right thing.
Stephen:It's just called, um, in Chicago the whole
Steve:time. Yes. Now with that victory to challah is actually restored to the throne with granted a seat in the national tribal council to represent his tribe in recognition of his loyal. It's a challah and Nichia or reunite. And he asks her to stay saying, he knows a way that she can still fulfill her calling to help others outside of Wakanda. And you can kind of see what, what could be, what their relationship rekindling, because at this point, We know that they pretty much broke up because of their differences in ideology and the battle with Killmonger drastically changed and like, not just the battle, but the realization of what his father did and how it affected this, this kid, um, you know, really changed. Comes around to her way of thinking, uh, rejecting the isolation of passive Alcon and Kings. He established as an embassy in the United States to be run by Nikia and Sheree in and around the old department building his uncle lived in.
Stephen:And I think that is fantastic because it's, you know, it's going to be about science and technology and health and the things that communities really need. And. And you can see Sheree is immediately 100% behind the idea. Yeah, of
Steve:course. She gets to share her tech with the world and in a mid credit scene to travel appears before the United nations to reveal a kind of true nature of the world. I, and I
Stephen:do love that where they're like, you know, no offense, your majesty, but, um, what can a nation of farmer. Teach us
Steve:and all you need is a smile. He doesn't, you don't even need to see what he says next. Just that, that smile. And then in a post credit scene, Sheree continues to help Bucky Barnes with his recuperation hinting that not only will black Panther returning a infinity war, but so will Bucky and
Stephen:then Marvel fans have since seen. Um, the Falcon and winter soldier mini series, which is excellent. Yes,
Steve:it is now final thoughts on this movie.
Stephen:It's amazing. I have zero issues with this movie whatsoever. Um, it was very well thought out. Well-written well-directed well, acted. Amazing. Special effects. Great message. I can't say enough. Good things about it. It is just that good.
Steve:Yeah. I mean, they've had so many amazing Marvel origin stories, but I would say that this is probably my favorite out of all of them.
Stephen:100% out of all of them.
Steve:And we talked a little bit about what we hope or think could happen for black Panther. The title character and the upcoming sequel. But what are other things that you hope to see more of or see different or change in black Panther to what kind of forever? Uh,
Stephen:so a rumor that I heard is that name or is going to be, uh, the major villain, uh, What Conda or of black Panther to what Conda forever and says name or name or would happen to be the, um, egotistical king of Atlantis, which means he rules the oceans. And he is a mutant. Yes.
Steve:While he's not the first mutant in mutant timelines. He is the first mutant who was introduced in the comics 100%.
Stephen:He was, and he. His note was known back in the day for being a villain because he, um, flooded New York against the fantastic four. Um, he was also responsible during the Phoenix five things for destroying, um, Wakanda.
Steve:Yes. So, uh, like all Marvel villains, there's always the chance that they might turn around and be good because he was, uh, recently an X-Men red on the team. And he was affectionately referred to by many, uh, as Atlantis. He loves
Stephen:showing off his eight pack. Yes.
Steve:And I also wouldn't mind, speaking of mutants, if they find a way to incorporate Ms. Aurora Monroe storm in some, uh, what condos? Well, uh,
Stephen:absolutely. And I think that is another one of the reasons why I would like to see. Them recast to channel it because I really enjoy the romance between two challah and Aurora. And I would like to see that. Um, shown on screen.
Steve:Yes. And it would give more chances for crossovers with seeing maybe the black Panther and one of the future X-Men movies. Exactly. Not like they won't have enough X-Men to incorporate, but yes, I'm very excited for the future of the MCU, but especially with the upcoming black pants. Speaking of upcoming movies as well, but there's a reason why we saved Dr. Strange next week to be the last one. Isn't it?
Stephen:Yes, because Dr. Strange and the multi-verse of madness comes out at the beginning of may, which is right around the corner. Yes.
Steve:And so we are wrapping up our Avengers April next month with the first Dr. Strange movie, uh, in order for us to all get better acquainted for him before we dive into the multi-verse of madness. Oh, it's so exciting. Yes. And what also excites me is our listeners. We love hearing from you and you can do get in touch with us anytime by emailing us@happylifepodatgmail.com. And you know, your feedback is what keeps us running and keeps the show going. And we just love hearing from you. So if you'd enjoy this episode or have any thoughts on it, whether you agree with us or disagree with us, or want to contribute something, write us, and we will be sure to share your thoughts in an upcoming episode.
Stephen:Absolutely. And you can also get in touch with us on all the socials, whether that is Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Tik TOK at happy life
Steve:pod. Yes. And until next time everybody stay
Stephen:happy. And what Conda forever.
Steve:Wakanda forever.