‘Black Panther’ is the superhero film you absolutely need to see

It’s tempting to go into the visual effects, plot, and whatnot of the newest Marvel Studios film, 'Black Panther'. We’ve all seen the umpteen entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and truth be told, we all know what to expect from these silver-screen superhero slugfests.

At this point, complaining about such things as predictability might be overkill. Suffice to say that there's a Marvel movie formula and it works. "Black Panther" however deviates from all of it enough to stand out. It's a challenging movie to write about, mainly because it asks so many uncomfortable - and important - questions that hit a little too close to home.

What if you could make a major positive impact on the world - but in doing so, would put the safety and security of your loved ones at risk? Would you still want to do that? More importantly, should you?

Do years of abuse and oppression truly justify "an eye for an eye"? What if you had the power to settle the score with everyone who has ever harmed you and your loved ones, but at the cost of becoming exactly like your oppressors in the process?

And would you wholeheartedly be willing to break years of tradition and prosperity for the good of the majority by tearing down a perfectly solid, long-standing system that benefits the minority (including yourself)?

The ebony-clad Avenger is a refreshing addition to the overall tapestry of the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe, and not just because he isn't Caucasian.

For once, we have a Marvel movie headliner who did not start out as fundamentally broken or physically impaired. Here is a man who is arguably, the best parts of Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor put together; a man with power, influence, AND a functional moral compass, born and raised to assume responsibility and make decisions for an entire nation.

Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios

T'Challa is a man who started out with kindness in his heart, but still had to learn a different sort of kindness to progress on his hero's journey. After all, it's one thing to be shown the error of your ways; it's another thing entirely to realize that "right" and "good" are not necessarily the same thing, and that your view of the world, despite being geared towards the good of your own countrymen, still needs to change.

There is far more to T'Challa than his wealth, abilities, or even skin color. This fierce fighter has truly earned his place in the pantheon of Marvel's cinematic heroes, right next to the archetypal Captain America and the quintessential Spider-Man. The Black Panther is the essential Marvel hero. With everything to lose and everything to give, he will tear down any wall that the fools of this world would dare to build.

And now more than ever, in a world plagued by fear-mongering, gripped by xenophobia, and controlled by leaders with arguably questionable values, T'Challa is just the kind of hero we need. — LA, GMA News

'Black Panther' premieres in Philippine theaters on February 14.