The much anticipated movie Black Panther has dominated other recently released films since its own release in February and has been widely praised by movie critics and most people that chose to see it in theaters.

The movie begins with a rescue mission of sorts as Tai??i??Challa (Chadwick Boseman), the soon to be king of Wakanda, and his military general of the Dora Milaje, Okoye (Danai Gurira). This first scene shows how truly advanced the country of Wakanda’s technology is as both characters take down dozens of men using a suit with claws and a form of a spear. Many different aspects of African cultures are implemented into the movie as you see the people of Wakanda interacting with each other. From the clothing and accessories, to the languages and arts there is cultural representation of many African countries displayed on the big screen.

The main conflict was represented really well. After Tai??i??Challa’s initial ceremony to become king, he is faced with the discovery that he is not the only one that wishes to be in power. His cousin Eric (Michael B. Jordan), a man he had not known existed, creates an uproar in and outside of Wakanda as he hunts down his family in a quest for vengeance. His goal to dethrone his cousin rooted in the dark past of the Tai??i??Challa’s father Tai??i??Chaka and his father Nai??i??Jobu. Not only faced with this new challenge, Tai??i??Challa also must decide how he will represent his country. Should he go with the advice of Nakia (Lupita Nyongai??i??o) and reach out to other countries in conflict? Should he stick with tradition and hide the vibranium rich country?

There have been opinions that a lot of the film’s plot is extraneous information and scenes, but I feel that the content is still necessary and interesting to watch nonetheless. It’s not so much adding to the center conflict as it is giving background on the culture and past of the setting. In the Marvel universe, Wakanda has isolated itself from the outside world for its own protection and was unheard by other countries until Captain America: Civil War. The “extra” scenes in which you experience what had gone on in the country in the past educates you on conflicts that have motivated current antagonists to create further conflict in the current day.

With the exceptional budget and the reputation of Marvel movies being well filmed, I found it unsurprising how beautiful the filming turned out. Sure, some scenes that were nearly all CGI were a tad obvious but not any more than other movies. I may not be a film expert, but from what I could tell it was pretty seamless and almost realistic like.

The actors seemed so immersed in their characters that it hardly registered with me that they weren’t real people after I left the movie theater. Accents were mastered so well that I almost forgotten Chadwick Boseman is from South Carolina. The familial bond between T’Challa and his sister Shuri is so strong that I almost forgot Boseman and Letitia Wright aren’t related. I almost forgot I was watching a movie based on comics.

Black Panther has been nothing short of a success since its release, and it comes as no surprise. Everything about the film is so well put together. It would definitely be worth the money needed to see the film even if you’re not a huge super hero fan unlike me.