Black Panther Assessment – Summary and Academic Mentor's Approach
Assessment Requirements – Brief Overview
This assessment involves a critical analysis of Ryan Coogler’s 2018 film Black Panther. The aim is to explore how the film conveys themes of identity, empowerment, and disempowerment through cinematic techniques and character development.
Key points to be covered include:
- Comparison between T’Challa and Killmonger
- Use of mise-en-scène, costume, music, and camera techniques
- Symbolic elements and cultural messages
- Reflections on colonial history and Black identity
- Personal evaluation and film recommendation
Academic Mentor’s Step-by-Step Guidance Process
The academic mentor guided the student through a structured process to successfully complete the assessment. Here's how:
Step 1: Understanding the Task
Mentor helped interpret the prompt by identifying core themes and selecting key scenes for analysis.
Step 2: Scene Selection and Thematic Focus
The scenes involving Killmonger’s ancestral visit and his ascension to the throne were chosen for their thematic depth and visual storytelling.
Step 3: Structuring the Response
The student was guided to follow a clear structure:
- Introduction: Overview of the film and its thematic significance
- Body Paragraph 1: Analysis of Killmonger’s ancestral scene
- Body Paragraph 2: Breakdown of the throne room sequence
- Conclusion: Summary, personal insights, and rating
Step 4: Integrating Film Techniques
The student learned to incorporate film-specific language such as lighting, mise-en-scène, audio, and visual contrast, supported by scene evidence.
Step 5: Final Review and Refinement
Mentor helped polish the essay for clarity, academic tone, and strong personal conclusion with recommendation.
Outcome & Learning Objectives Achieved
As a result of this guided process, the student produced an insightful analytical essay that:
- Explored character motivation and identity in depth
- Showcased an understanding of cinematic elements
- Reflected on cultural and historical context
- Practiced critical analysis and evaluative writing
- Successfully met all assessment learning outcomes
When it comes to superhero films, Black Panther is like no other. Ryan Coogler’s 2018 Marvel blockbuster is a movie with depth and meaning that goes beyond spectacular costumes and fight scenes.
The film is set in a fictional African country called Wakanda, which presents a cultural, traditional, and innovative future planet that hasn’t been colonised. Black Panther delves deeply into themes like empowerment, injustice, and identity, including astonishing visuals and thrilling action.
Coogler highlights the strength of Black communities while examining the effects of the colonial past. His use of symbolic imagery and historical allusions elevates this film beyond entertainment—it becomes a message. I heartily believe that Black Panther is a must-watch for all ages.
Killmonger’s entrance into the ancestral world effectively showcases Coogler’s themes of empowerment and disempowerment, particularly the contrast between his and T’Challa’s experiences.
Coogler invites viewers to consider the characters’ childhoods and motivations. Through mise-en-scène and backstories, Wakanda’s traditions are reflected in T’Challa’s peaceful, radiant ancestral plane, while Killmonger’s is dark and broken, rooted in trauma and abandonment.
This contrast reveals their different upbringings—T’Challa’s empowered leadership versus Killmonger’s disempowered, grief-stricken past. The emotional performance by Michael B. Jordan shows Killmonger as more than an antagonist—he is also a victim of systemic injustice.
In the throne room scene, Coogler uses costume, music, and mise-en-scène to explore Killmonger’s identity and radical empowerment.
Killmonger wears a militaristic outfit blending American and Wakandan styles, symbolising his split identity. Hip-hop music layered with traditional African elements highlights his inner conflict. The camera turns the scene upside-down—literally—to represent Killmonger’s intent to "flip the world."
The lighting and shadows symbolise the instability under his rule. His emotional detachment, aggressive tone, and desire for revenge show the dangers of power rooted in trauma rather than unity.
Ultimately, Black Panther effectively addresses identity and empowerment through strong character development and cinematic craftsmanship.
The contrast between T’Challa and Killmonger highlights different responses to oppression, and raises questions about justice, violence, and leadership.
I rate the film 5/5 and highly recommend it for its emotional depth, cultural insight, and powerful message.
Short Answer – Black Panther Assessment Overview
This assessment explores the themes of identity, empowerment, and disempowerment in Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther through key scenes featuring Killmonger and T’Challa.
Students are required to analyze how cinematic elements like mise-en-scène, costume, music, and camera angles convey deeper cultural and emotional messages, particularly around colonialism, trauma, and identity conflict.
Under academic mentor guidance, the student was led through a step-by-step process: breaking down the prompt, selecting impactful scenes, structuring the analysis, using film techniques, and refining the final draft.
The final response met learning objectives in critical analysis, media literacy, and reflective writing.
Download the full solution file for reference and guidance, and explore how cinematic storytelling and social themes can be critically analyzed in a compelling academic response.