This contains Spoilers to the Black Panther movie. First off, I really liked this movie. In particular the world building of Wakanda, casting, portrayal of African nobility, costuming, special effects, and characterization of Black Panther were all on point. My expectation going in was Black Panther needed to be a hero who was wise, noble, and a skilled fighter that knew how to show restraint and MCU indeed delivered.
I wish to respond to some opinions coming from the audience regarding the villain Killmonger:
1. His actions were just a product of his environment.
2. His last lines were incredible.
Product of Environment
Killmonger definitely was impacted by his environment but he made critical choices throughout his life. In the film we learn that with great discipline he attained an elite education and training to become extremely skilled in combat and killing. As a result of this backstory, my impression was his actions upon taking over Wakanda lacked nuance and did not reflect the buildup of his character. Sure, we can sympathize with his pain, but I find many viewers give him too much credit. I cannot justify his actions and decision to arm secret Wakandan cells with advanced weapons globally to commit terror and wage war with the entire world in order to subjugate them under his rule, simply because he had a tough environment as a kid. Because he has a motive in revenge, it does not give him pass to act out revenge.
Last lines
"Bury me in the ocean with my ancestors who jumped from ships, cause they knew death was better than bondage"
Many people came away awed and inspired by these lines. I cannot dispute how they themselves felt but I instead was terribly bothered by it and I wish to explain. Commentators may highlight how "noble" it seems to choose death instead of being a prisoner. However when healing is imminently at hand, it essentially amounts to choosing suicide. And really, after a life of preparation, would Killmonger give up that easily? He chose death rather than live as a prisoner in one of the most technically advanced nations under a benevolent monarch who understands your perspective. And even as a prisoner, is there no room for rehabilitation, is there no room for Victor Frankl-like development? It's as if he became incredibly short-sighted and even if he were to hold on to his motives, he would rather not live to fight another day.
Further pondering on this last line actually came off as cheap. Killmonger's "body of work" testifies that he is a professional killer and we know he has killed beyond the theater of war. He supposedly lived a dark and monstrous life and was ready to commit further atrocities. Have we become inured to evil, are we so quick to gloss it over, that audience members are ready to celebrate Killmonger? And no, I'm not saying he's the embodiment of evil but we can recognize his actions were wrong. Sure, his lines were poetic, but no, I cannot subscribe to them as "incredible." Ugh it just rubs me the wrong way as those lines reminded me of how Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh chose the poem Invictus for his last words before execution. "...I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul." Words that were meant to inspire rang hollow. Killmonger may be of noble blood but he did not live nobly.
Besides these points, for Marvel to to kill off Klaw and Killmonger to me felt like moments that worked for the plot but not the characters. That being said, for Marvel, this is a step in the right direction for MCU villains.
