Eyes Of Wakanda My Quick Thoughts

 

The anticipated Marvel animated series Eyes OF Wakanda landed last Friday on Disney plus. And it landed with a thud sadly. At only four episodes, the animation is beautiful and bright but the story left a lot to be desired. 

The series is anthology focused and its basic premise follows members of Wakanda's War Dogs throughout various moments in history protecting Wakanda's artifacts and secrets. It loosely connects with other MCU properties in one episode. And everything ties together and connects to the MCU again in episode four.

Which is fine and all, but it just never clicks really. And I think fan's expected something else when the series was announced. I know I for one thought we would actually get to explore Wakanda through the series. The history and the culture of this beautiful fictional land along with the technology vibranium offers them.

You know see previous Black Panthers not named T'Chaka. Or even eventually see a young T'Chaka in action. T'Chaka & N'Jobu's relationship as kids to young adults before N'Jobu left for America. Learn more about the tribes and the Jabari tribe's conflict with the rest of the country. See Wakanda defend themselves against a infiltrator. Or even how Howard Stark was able to obtain vibranium for Cap's shield during World War II.

While I can see what they were trying to do with the series. It just didn't work and I'm not sure if four episodes was the plan all along or something occured to force that change. I do hope if Ryan Coogler and Disney decide to revisit the series, they make some changes to give the people what they truly want. More Wakanda and all the stories that can be told there.

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My Top 5 MCU Movies

 5 years ago today, box office records were shattered, tears flowed, and fans everywhere witnessed one of the greatest cinema storytelling eras come to a end. With the release of Avengers Endgame, the culmination of a 11 year saga. Since that film's release the MCU has experienced a serious flow of ups and downs while trying to maintain it's grip on pop culture and introducing a new generation of characters.

Since the film series was such a juggernaut of the 2010's I figured I'd share my personal list of the top 5 MCU movies..so far. 

5. Iron Man

There have been way better movies the MCU has released since Iron Man was released in 2008. This film deserves a spot on any MCU film simply for providing the spark that started it all. While there may have been plans to kickstart a cinematic universe, if Robert Downey Jr's charismatic and confident yet conflicted turn as Tony Stark was not as enticing as it was, the MCU may have never been born.

The film's plot is serviceable and with it's minimal budget and effects some of the film has not aged well, but it's served it's purpose as Iron Man's and The Avengers origin story. Iron Man was a significant gamble that worked and birthed something we'd never imagine.

4. Guardians Of The Galaxy

At the time of the film's release it was so far different than anything Marvel had put out at the time. Featuring at the time a C list Marvel property full of C list characters, that many people outside of devoted fans had never heard of. James Gunn using the low expectations to his advantage, crafted a part space opera, part fish out of water 80's nostalgia comedic zinger of a film.

Peter Quill's introduction dancing to Red Bone Come and Get Your Love should be in any discussion regarding best character debuts. That debut scene also helped show we were in for a different kind of marvel film at the time. The film also played a bit part in continuing the arc of Thanos and the infinity stones. The film proved that light hearted comedy in comic films can work, and spawned two sequels, a Disney Plus special, rides at Disney Park's and more.

3. Winter Soldier 

Winter Soldier turned 10 Years old this year and to me is one of the better MCU films in the entire catalog and has held up very well. It was the MCU movie to me that had that first shit just got real moment, when it was revealed Hydra had infiltrated Shield for all these years. When First Avenger released in 2011, I personally overhyped the film so much I was severely disappointed when it didn't meet my expectations.

Winter Soldier exceeded my expectations, integrating a political conspiracy thriller into a comic book film. While giving Steve Rogers more of a purpose trying to find out what happened to his friend Bucky, was top tier story telling. For the action piece I think we all can admit the elevator scene is one the best fight scenes in cinema history. 

2. Black Panther 

When Black Panther was released February 16, 2018 it was a cultural event. Sold out shows, audience members came in droves with their dashikis on and represented leading the box office gate to a total of $1.3 billion. Fan's went to show love for the culture, but the story of the film is what engaged them. Showing a African Utopia society and the technological advancements  the fictional country Wakanda had was a sight to see. Chadwick Boseman was a screen general as Wakanda's king T'Challa and his hero Black Panther. T'Challa learned quickly in the film, that sometimes you pay for the sins of your parents and that the traditional way of doing things is not always the best. 

But it was Michael B. Jordan as one of Marvel's top 3 villains alongside Thanos and Loki who stole the show as Killmonger. Killmonger was full of rage and misplaced anger but wanted to use Wakanda's resources to help liberate Black people. T'Challa and Killmonger learn from one alone in their respective ways, which made the film even more powerful. It was he last film in the MCU released before the last two Avengers film to cap off the Infinity Saga, which gives it another cool spot in history.

1. Avengers Infinity War/Endgame

I count these two films released a year apart as one, mainly due to the fact it tells an complete story across the two and is an culmination of a saga. In fact originally the two films were called Infinity War part 1 and part II which illustrate how attached at the hip they are. Honestly Infinity War maybe the better film pacing and stakes wise, but Endgame is the more emotional film. Infinity War showed the chaos and brutality that Thanos could do and had that gut punch of seeing your favorite heroes turn into dust after that snap knowing we had to wait a full year to see how everything played out.

Endgame was a fan service film full of callbacks to previous films, easter eggs, that amazing final battle scene where Cap finally uttered the famous Avengers calling. I can watch that scene over and over by the way, and of course that emotional death. It truly was the apex of the MCU thus far and one of the coolest things to witness. This is why it is the best of the 33 films released in the MCU so far.

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X-Men In The MCU..Should Be A TV Series

Back in 2018 when Disney bought 20th Century Fox Studios, fans couldn't wait for the X-Men to be apart of the MCU. It looks like that time is here, as it was recently announced Marvel has started developing an X-Men series called "The Mutants". We don't know much about it other than it'll be a movie.

Personally I think introducing the X-Men into the MCU would be better served as a Disney Plus series. Right now Disney plus and MCU are coming off the hit WandaVision series, with Falcon and The Winter Soldier debuting next week. This summer the Loki series will be released this summer, and a dozen or so series are already in development. Disney and MCU also seem to be spending blockbuster quality budgets on the series. 

Besides that we have had two X-Men film series within the past twentie years, with both falling off the rails with the third film. Both films also have retreated the same stories, and for the most part relied on the same characters through both films.

A TV series could do a few things. If a decision is made to rehash Magneto's and Charles Xaviers story it could be completed in 2-3 episodes, before diving deep into the battle of the respective mutant idealogies. Fan favorite stories that were adapted to film like Age of  Apocalypse, Dark Phoenix and Days of Future Past could be fleshed out through a entire season, giving them proper time to develop and be executed. The same could be said for other popular stories like House of M, God Loves, Man Kills, and E for Extinction could be adapted as well. 10-12 episodes to allow these stories to play out with promises of more,  Disney Plus would never have to worry about losing subscribers.

Another thing a series could do is give other mutants like Gambit, Sunfire, Bishop, Banshee, and many more screentime. Possibly rotating the majority of the roster out each season, keeping a holdover or two for continuity. On the villain side, Bella Donna, Callisto, Exodus, and Mister Sinister could get their time to shine. 

Marvel has been highly successful with the MCU, and there's no doubt in my mind they have a grand plan on how the concept of mutants will work in that world. Just my two cents, give us a good TV show before moving to movies. 

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Bring Back Steel, Without Shaq

The DC Universe streaming service is set to debut later this month. Streaming services are all the rage nowadays and every media company out there is throwing their hand in the bucket for some extra cash. A good thing about streaming services is that it has opened the door for so many creators and content that wouldn't see the light of day in traditional media.

 The DC Universe has already announced some original programming Titans, Swamp Thing, and Doom Patrol are a few properties that will air on the DC Universe platform. While I’m personally looking forward to Swamp Thing, I think DC should use this opportunity to bring Steel to the small screen.

  As a live action TV show with about 10 episodes, it could right the wrong that was the movie starring Shaq in 1997. Since TV shows and movies based on comic books, are developed with much more care nowadays it could rival any of the Marvel Netflix shows or CW DC shows. Here are three things a possible series would need to be successful.

Getting John Right

First order of business is portraying John Henry Irons as he is in the comics. A engineer/scientist who works for a high tech firm Amertek Industries and uses his brain just as much as his size to get the job done. Some things go south on the job and John leaves to become steel.

Representation is very important in any genre, highlighting a black superhero who is very intelligent and builds his armor and gadgets rivaling Iron Man on his own. Could be a spark in a lot of Black kids to take more of an interest in the STEM field. Streamline his armor and make it less clunky add some gadgets that have real life purposes and someone could really believe they would see Steel walking down the street.

Setting

Location is next, in the 1997 film Steel is set in Los Angeles. In the comics he traditionally lives in Metropolis, even moving to Washington D.C. at one point in the comics. The series would benefit from not being in Metropolis, as too many viewers would always be waiting for clues that superman is around. Having Steel set in a fictional inner city would probably be the best bet to allow the character to build his own world.

Opponent

A compelling villain, most superheroes stories are best when they have a villain that is a perfect foe to them. The stakes have to be real and high, and something is personally affecting the hero.  Steel doesn't have a primary villain that is synonymous with him.

He’s traditionally fought street gangs, which he did in the film. If a series was created and the creators went that route, it would draw comparisons to CW’s Black Lighting.

Using a fellow employee at amertek who has gone rogue would be the best option. Maybe throwing a wrinkle in the story that the employee knows John Irons is Steel. That could make for a nice cat and mouse game.

We need more black superheroes.  Black Panther proved there's a market for it. Luke Cage and Black Lighting have produced quality, interesting TV shows. If DC wants to make a serious splash in the streaming world, a Steel TV show would definitely help out. Hell DC hire me I’ll do it!

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Black Panther is Here

  Black Panther is HERE!! The culture can celebrate as it hits on all cylinders. This isn’t a review of the movie, but why I think it’s so important for the culture.           
   First this movie is special because it was crafted with love and appreciation. A majority black cast, and major players behind the scenes being black. Having the deeppppp pockets of Disney and Marvel offered the filmmakers a opportunity to create a world unlike any other and they don't disappoint.
   Honoring traditional African customs and culture. Celebrations of African culture, and spirituality of the culture. All the while implementing the possibilities of a future way of life improved by technology, but not “enslaved" by the technology. It’s a perfect blend of the past and present in this fictional country. Even though Wakanda is a fictional Country , hopefully it inspires people to take a trip to culture rich Africa.
   Representation is another important factor in this film. Besides a black superhero who is first and foremost a royal and second who kicks ass, there’s the Dora Milajae fierce female warriors who display you can be a female and take care of yourself. T’Challa sister Shuri who encompasses the STEM (Science Technology engineering mathematics) trait and mentality, she is a role model to show young girls they can become inventors and much more in those fields. We have Killmonger one of the MCU’s better villians, his ideals whether right or wrong will resonate with a lot of people.
   The underlying message of Black Panther is very important. The importance of family, humanity being humane to one another. Past transgressions affecting future progress. Issues that are very much contemporary and will be for the foreseeable future.
    We’ve had Black superhero movies before. Blade, Spawn, Meteor Man, Steel. While for the most part they are good movies, those movies are what they are. Much like the new CW show Black Lighting,  Black Panther is released at a time when there is a cultural awakening so to speak, a new found appreciation of us as black people, where we came from, where we been, and where we’re going. Black Panther taps into all that energy to make something that will be talked about for years to come. Wear your dashikis, your Kentes, embody black excellence and shout Wakanda with pride.

    

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