A grand opening for Black Panther

One of the world’s most anticipated movies for this year was formally released globally on February 16.For those who were privileged to be at the debut showing, what makes Black Panther such a magnificent movie more than its stunning visuals or the fascinating performance by its ensemble cast is that it is unafraid to be more than just a superhero movie.

This anticipated movie of the year premiered for the first time in Nigeria, yesterday, three days after a special preview session held at the Genesis Cinemas, The Palms, Lekki in Lagos.

The event, which was organised by one of Nigeria’s biggest distribution companies, Blue Pictures, and held by Nairabox, saw excited cinema lovers dressed in different classy and sophisticated traditional attire in respect to the origin, nature and theme of the movie, which was African Royalty.

In attendance were celebrities, such as Debola Williams, Alexx Ekubo, Ik Ogbonna, Stephanie Coker, Lola OJ, Timini Egbuson, Ayoola Ayola, Kas Beats, Adunni Ade, Jumoke Aderonmu and many more, who stepped out in style for the event.

Black Panther follows T’Challa’s actions after the death of his father in Captain America: Civil War, as he returns to Wakanda as the new king.A viewer said: “No matter how much the world tries to strip the movie of its political colouration and treat it as just another Marvel superhero fest, it is what it is, and director, Ryan Coogler, does not shy away from making Black Panther the blackest black movie he could make.”

Actor Egbuson added: “I have been looking forward to this movie. A black super hero movie, with black casts and directors. I am really excited that I got to be among the first people to see this movie in Nigeria. It was totally worth the wait.”

Black Panther is the latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s lineup of movies. Directed by Coogler, who earlier directed Creed, it stars Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Martin Freeman and other stellar actors. The movie is in cinemas.