Top 10 Best Moments From Black Panther (2018)

Taking place on Warrior Falls, T'Challa accepts Erik Killmonger's proposal to fight for the throne. T'Challa has his superhuman abilities stripped by Zuri to ensure a fair fight. As the two battle, T'Challa initially seems to have the upper hand and believes he could end the fight with Killmonger yielding. Unfortunately, this does not happen, as Killmonger, driven by hatred and vengeance, is determined to defeat the king. The fight ends with Zuri's death and T'Challa being bested.

This scene stands out to me the most because it highlights T'Challa's merciful side and his sympathy for Killmonger, given his tragic backstory. These qualities ultimately contribute to his defeat. It also shows Killmonger's ruthlessness, as he is willing to kill both Zuri and T'Challa. This brutality devastates Shuri and shocks Nakia and T'Challa's mother, Ramonda.

I also found it heartbreaking when Zuri takes responsibility for Killmonger's father's death to protect T'Challa. Overall, this scene is powerful and emotional. It showcases the depth of each character, even Shuri, who tries to encourage her brother during the fight.

After T'Challa is nearly fatally injured, M'Baku's fishermen rescue him and bring him to M'Baku. When Shuri, Nakia, and Ramonda arrive, they offer M'Baku the Heart-Shaped Herb to gain superhuman abilities and defeat Killmonger. Instead, M'Baku steps aside and shows them T'Challa preserved in the snow. He allows them to use the herb to save T'Challa's life.

T'Challa later visits his father in the afterlife and confronts him and the past kings for turning their backs on the rest of the world in order to preserve Wakanda's way of life. He especially calls out his father for killing his own brother and abandoning N'Jobu's child, indirectly creating the monster that Killmonger became.

This scene made me appreciate M'Baku as a character. He could have let T'Challa die and claimed power for himself, but he remembered T'Challa's mercy during their earlier duel and returned the favor by saving his life and giving up the chance for power.

I also admired how T'Challa, unlike his predecessors, recognized Wakanda's past mistakes. The nation's isolation caused unnecessary suffering for others, and Killmonger's tragic fate is a prime example of the consequences of those actions.

T'Challa, who has returned from the dead, is forced to fight Killmonger to stop his evil plans of world domination. Unfortunately, W'Kabi, under the orders of the usurper, leads his army to kill the rightful monarch. Meanwhile, Shuri guides Everett Ross to shoot down aircraft leaving Wakanda to deliver weapons to the outside world, marking the first step in Killmonger's world war. After Shuri is defeated by Killmonger in battle, T'Challa is forced to intervene to save his sister's life.

Killmonger's side has the upper hand until M'Baku and the Jabari tribe join the fight. The battle ends with W'Kabi surrendering and T'Challa lethally stabbing Killmonger.

This scene masterfully combines epic action with emotional depth. I loved T'Challa's powerful entrance when he declared, "I am not dead!" and his pivotal role in the battle. Every character had significance, and none felt useless. Everyone played their part. My favorite moment was when T'Challa faced Killmonger again.

During their confrontation, Killmonger could be seen as a political extremist who claimed to want the best for his brothers and sisters. However, it becomes clear that his true motivation is vengeance, making him no different from the enemies he despises. T'Challa calls him out on this. Killmonger's death was emotionally impactful, as he witnessed the Wakandan sunset his father once told him about before requesting to be buried in the ocean.

After defeating T'Challa in their duel, Killmonger is buried and receives the powers of the Black Panther, allowing him to visit the Ancestral Plane. He finds himself in an apartment resembling his childhood home, where he reunites with his father, N'Jobu. During their conversation, N'Jobu reflects on Wakanda's beauty, particularly its sunsets. N'Jobu also expresses regret for his actions, and both father and son break down in tears.

When Killmonger returns from the Ancestral Plane, he orders his people to burn all of the Heart-Shaped Herb, despite protests that it defies sacred tradition.

This scene is emotionally powerful, revealing how broken and consumed by evil Killmonger has become. Even N'Jobu is heartbroken by what his son has turned into and blames himself. It is a tragic reminder of how pain and loss can corrupt a person's morality.

After recognizing Killmonger's necklace, which resembled one worn by his grandfather, T'Challa urgently seeks out Zuri to uncover the truth about what happened to his uncle N'Jobu. Zuri initially refuses, having promised T'Challa's father, King T'Chaka, to keep the secret. This prompts T'Challa to remind Zuri that he is now the king.

Zuri reveals that N'Jobu betrayed Wakanda by helping Ulysses Klaue steal a quarter-ton of Vibranium, resulting in the deaths of dozens. T'Chaka traveled to Oakland, where N'Jobu and Zuri were staying, to bring N'Jobu back to Wakanda for his crimes. However, N'Jobu attacked Zuri for betraying him, leading T'Chaka to kill his own brother in defense. T'Chaka and Zuri then left N'Jobu's son behind.

This scene exposes T'Chaka's more complex character. The loving father seen in Captain America: Civil War and earlier in this film is also the man who killed his own brother in defense when he might have disarmed him instead.

It also highlights Zuri's loyalty, as he honored his promise to T'Chaka for years but ultimately revealed the truth to T'Challa, his current king. This revelation also builds up Killmonger's tragic backstory and motives.

During T'Challa's coronation to succeed his father, T'Chaka, he is prepared to face any challenge for the throne. While none of the tribes initially step forward, the Jabari tribe breaks the silence. M'Baku criticizes T'Challa, suggesting that a man who could not protect his own father should not lead Wakanda. T'Challa accepts the challenge, and the two engage in a fierce duel.

M'Baku initially gains the upper hand, but Queen Ramonda and Princess Shuri motivate T'Challa to keep fighting. T'Challa eventually defeats M'Baku and, when given the opportunity to kill him, instead urges him to yield. Though M'Baku initially refuses, he ultimately yields after T'Challa reminds him of his importance to his people.

This duel highlights T'Challa's character development. He transforms from a vengeful fighter in Captain America: Civil War into a gracious and merciful king. He could have killed M'Baku according to tradition but chose compassion instead, recognizing M'Baku's significance to his tribe.

After T'Challa's apparent death, Okoye asks Nakia if Shuri and Ramonda are safe. Nakia urges Okoye to join her, Shuri, and Ramonda as they escape from Killmonger. However, Okoye refuses, declaring that her loyalty lies with whoever sits on the throne. Okoye challenges Nakia by saying that if she truly loves Wakanda, she should serve it, while Nakia counters that she will save her country.

I love the power of this scene. It highlights how both characters have different views of true loyalty. It contrasts serving any ruler, even a tyrant, with standing up to save a nation from oppression.

After T'Challa's victory over M'Baku, he is buried and regains the powers of the Black Panther, allowing him to visit the Ancestral Plane. There, he reunites with his father, T'Chaka, who is proud of him. T'Challa, however, expresses that he is not ready and seeks advice on how to best protect Wakanda. T'Chaka tells him to surround himself with trustworthy people.

This was another powerful scene that deepens the father-son bond. T'Challa's emotional connection to his father highlights that it is not just the responsibilities of being a king that weigh on him but also the pain of having to live without his father. T'Chaka beautifully reassures him, saying that a father who prepares his son for his own death has not failed him.

After Ulysses Klaue attacks a casino and goes on the run, T'Challa and his allies intervene. Shuri assists by remotely controlling a car to help T'Challa catch up to Klaue. Okoye and Nakia also join the pursuit, with Okoye standing atop their car and throwing a spear at the enemy vehicles. Although Klaue destroys their vehicles, T'Challa ultimately catches him, though he is tempted to kill him.

I thought the Busan car chase was epic, especially with the impressive gadgets, like Shuri's remote driving system and Klaue's arm cannon. This scene also stands out as one of the funniest, showcasing T'Challa and Shuri's relatable sibling dynamic.

Additionally, the scene effectively portrays T'Challa's anger, fueled by the pain Klaue inflicted on Wakanda. This explains why he was so determined to apprehend him, especially with the encouragement of his best friend, W'Kabi.

T'Challa and Shuri travel to Oakland, California, to visit the apartment where their father killed their uncle. Shuri assumes the building is being torn down, but T'Challa reveals that he purchased it and plans to establish the first Wakandan International Outreach Center there. He outlines Nakia and Shuri's roles in the facility, which Shuri takes humorously. T'Challa then reveals the Royal Talon aircraft, emerging from camouflage to show his sincerity. The movie ends with a child asking T'Challa, Who are you?

This scene was essential to include. I enjoyed the lighthearted humor at the beginning, especially Shuri's reaction to visiting Oakland. It felt natural and fitting. I also appreciated how T'Challa acknowledged that, while Killmonger's methods were wrong, some of his ideals had merit. Establishing an outreach center reflects T'Challa's desire to share Wakanda's resources with the world.

The choice to place the center in N'Jobu's former apartment carried deep meaning. The same space where N'Jobu was killed for his beliefs about sharing Vibranium would now serve as a place to fulfill those ideals. The ending, with the child's awe at the Wakandan ship and his question about T'Challa's identity, was a perfect and powerful way to close the film.