One of the most anticipated movies of the year opened Feb. 16. “Black Panther” has been catching the attention of many people after they learned that the majority of the cast and crew are black. This movie is very important to the little kids who never had a black superhero to look up to growing up. It lived up the hype and you can believe every good thing you hear about it.

While the movie is based on a Marvel comic, there was more to the movie than just someone saving the day. Between the outstanding graphics and drama-filled plot, this movie taught integrity, community, and strength in a uniquely African-American way. It also showed us that sometimes blood isn’t as thick as water.

We first get a look into the life of T’Challa through Captain America’s involvement in the Civil War. We watch as his father, the king of Wakanda, gets killed in an explosion. Due to this tragedy, T’Challa is first in line to become king.

The movie takes place in the fictional country, Wakanda, Africa. Where most of the world thinks is a third country, we learn that it is actually technologically advanced due to their secret of vibranium.

Vibranium is a powerful orb exclusively found in Wakanda, protected by a force field. T’challa’s sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) uses the powerful orb to form the famous costume of the Black Panther, along with using it in reviving the injured.

“I’ve never been into superhero movies, but seeing an African-American guy from the same state I live in made the experience so much better,” sophomore Ahmani McCullough said, referring to Chadwick Boseman, an Anderson, S.C., native, who played the lead role as T’Challa, or more famously known, the Black Panther.

Michael B. Jordan, who plays the main antagonist of the film, Erik Killmonger, takes us on a journey of betrayal, confusion, and strange understanding as we watch him stir trouble throughout the action-packed film. “Bury me in the ocean with my ancestors who jumped from the ships, because they knew death was better than bondage,” he asserts. Along with “Black Panther”, Jordan stars in two other of the director’s movies, “Creed” and “Fruitvale Station.”

Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Forest Whitaker, and Angela Bassett also star. Others who impacted the film include director Ryan Coogler, behind the scene artists, and singers on the very successful soundtrack that according to Billboard had eight songs on the Hot 100 chart. This soundtrack included artists Kendrick Lamar (four songs), SZA, The Weeknd, Zacari, Khalid, and many more.

If you’re planning on watching it in theaters, stay for the after credits to see previews for the sequel.