Chadwick Boseman is gone, yet immortalized through the cinematic magic of his most famous roles. Much like My Chemical Romance, trust me when I say, I’m not okay. I usually try my best never to get too upset over the death of an actor or entertainer really, for that matter. Grief is funny in that way. For me, I try my best never to mourn more than I would a friend. If I’m honest, it keeps me grounded and prevents me from escalating that entertainer to idol status. I’ve only ever truly been upset over a handful of celebrities - Robin Williams, Stan Lee, and Wes Craven to be specific, all for different reasons.
These guys helped shape my childhood. In some ways, they carved out a piece for why I love the mediums I love. Had it not been for Stan Lee, I probably wouldn’t have been in love with comics as I am today. Wes Craven was the man who single handedly introduced me to the genre of horror. My favorite type of movies. Robin Williams was in my home, on my television, way more than I could ever care to remember or dare admit. Boseman is something else entirely, though. His death came so suddenly. When the news broke, I was working on my The New Mutants review and my wife entered into my office with the Deadline article.
It took my brain a few moments to comprehend what my eyes were seeing. It didn’t seem real, it couldn’t be. Though, this was Deadline reporting on it. Deadline, The Wrap, The Hollywood Reporter all reporting on his death. Dead at 43. He had lost his battle with cancer. Bosemen was one of the few actors working today that my attention is immediately set to. I don’t really need to know what the movie is about in order to watch it - it just has to feature Boseman. In a way, losing Boseman feels like he will be remembered as this generation’s James Dean. An actor who, even with a short career, will no doubt be remembered for some of the most memorable performances of this era. No doubt, he will be remembered for his iconic turn as T’Challa in the juggernaut that is the MCU.
Boseman had more to offer than merely “Wakanda Forever.” He equally brought to life some of the most influential people of black history to the screen. Whether it was his turn as James Brown in Get On Up or Thurgood Marshall in Marshall, Boseman never delivered a bad performance. Honestly, I’m curious if he ever actually could. I know that seems like a bold thing to say but the dude had some serious acting talent in him. Most people met him at T’Challa in Captain America: Civil War, but I had a different introduction to him.
I met Boseman at his turn as James Brown. I grew up listening to Brown. His discography filled our halls quite often. He was one of the most energetic performances in the last century. To see Boseman bring that king of soul to life was extraordinary. He brought exactly what that role needed. Energy, passion, and even at times the feeling of uncomfortability. Yeah, there were a few times I felt uncomfortable during Get on Up. Boseman’s ability, though, to bring out such a wide arrange of emotions during a two hour stint hooked me immediately. It wasn’t long until he was in the middle of Steve Rogers and Tony Stark in Civil War.
I know that I’m overlooking 42, his take on Jackie Robertson. However, at the time I’m writing this article, I haven’t actually seen the movie. Though I will be walking into the theater here shortly to see it and will include my thoughts below. I’m a nerd, through and through, and to see one of the most beloved story arcs of all time be brought to the big screen had my anticipation juices going strong. Of course, with being an adaption and rights, some things had to be changed. One of which being the addition of Black Panther instead of Spider-Man. Even though Spidey did eventually have some pull in the cinematic version.
It was T’Challa who captivated me. Here you have a guy who goes through an entire arc on the path to vengeance, not to mention some of the best fight sequences in the entire movie. Then, by the end to reach a point of forgiveness for your father’s “killer”, and to go even further by giving him shelter and rehabilitation, an incredible feat that continued into Black Panther. Once again presenting a compelling character narrative and arguably one of the best standalone movies of the MCU. Boseman was at the center of it, questioning tradition and what it means to be a king. Well, he must have learned something from shooting some of the third act. He will no doubt be remembered as a king of the screen. From more recent performances like Endgame to Da 5 Bloods, Boseman never once delivered short of amazing. He will be missed. The lights of Hollywood grow a tad dimmer with him no longer here.
UPDATE, 42: I feel like this is really the first role that seriously put Chadwick Boseman on the radar of Hollywood. Since his death, I have come to find out that he did briefly act on All My Children. It’s his turn as the prolific baseball star Jackie Robertson that seriously places him in greatness. Much like Robertson, Boseman delivers a performance that is nothing short of greatness. I’m kind of sad that I let it fly under my radar for all these years. Much like Marshall and Black Panther before it, I did find myself tearing up to Boseman’s exceptional performance. 42 only continues to support my case - truly, cinema has lost a legend today.
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Victims and Villains is written Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey (and produced by), Caless Davis, Dan Rockwood, & Brandon Miller. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. This blog was edited by Cam Smith. Black Panther is property of Marvel Studios. We do not own nor claim any rights. Black Panther is currently streaming on Disney+.Get On Up is property of Universal Pictures. WE do not own nor claim any rights. Get on Up is currently streaming on HBO Max. Marshall is property of Open Road Films. We do not own nor claim any rights.
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