Black Panther is on its way to becoming one of the biggest blockbusters ever, and the reviews that hit the internet on Tuesday have pretty much solidified that. At 9 a.m., the Black Panther review embargo was lifted, and as of this afternoon the movie currently has a 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.
But did you actually think it wouldn’t?
So far, with 46 reviews already posted by movie critics, the average rating is 8.6 out of 10. Here’s just a sampling of what’s being said:
Black Panther is every bit as good as you were hoping. Actually—it’s better. A terrific screenplay from Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole elevates this thing way beyond the usual boundaries of the Marvel Universe. —Liz Braun, Toronto Sun
Black Panther pounces toward the head of the class in a way that should make the King, and his key subjects, a cornerstone of an already-formidable roster. —Brian Lowry, CNN
Most big studio fantasies take you out for a joy ride only to hit the same exhausted story and franchise-expanding beats. Not this one. —Manohla Dargis, New York Times
Call me a little biased, but Danielle Young’s review hit the nail on the head when it comes to how majestic the movie is, and I appreciate her not hitting me up on Slack with spoilers.
“Whether they were the cheers from Ramonda, or Nakia’s Bantu knots, or the Wakanda dignitaries with lip plates, or Wakandans speaking isiXhosa, a South African language known for its tongue clicks, there was more than enough evidence of the appreciation and adoration for all things black in this film,” Young wrote.
What Black Panther offers is more than a movie; it’s a movement and a force that can’t be reckoned with.