Directed by Ryan Coogler and featuring a predominantly black cast including Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, and Angela Bassett, “Black Panther” was hailed by the Daily Beast as “a love letter to every black person” and “a correction for years of diversity neglect” by Rolling Stone.

The movie, opening worldwide next week, tells the story of T’Challa, the newly-crowned king of the fictional, technologically-advanced African nation Wakanda, who is challenged by factions within his own country.

The movie arrives after years of criticism about the under-representation of actors and filmmakers of colour in Hollywood, including the #OscarsSoWhite campaign that prompted the Academy of Motion Pictures to increase diversity in its predominantly white male membership.

It got a rare 100% rating from review aggregator RottenTomatoes.com and analysts expect it to bring in some $150 million (RM586 million) at the North American box office on its opening weekend.

The New York Times said the film “creates wonder with great flair and feeling” while having a story that “has far more going for it than branding.”

Entertainment Weekly said the movie’s “nuanced celebration of pride and identity and personal responsibility” was the movie’s “own true superpower.”

IndieWire called it “the best Marvel movie so far, by far.”

USA Today said that along with the fantastical elements of the film and its James Bond-influenced elements, “Black Panther” was extremely grounded “dealing with the consequences of age-old colonialism and exploring isolation at a time when actual countries are building borders rather than breaking them down.”

Business Insider said that “Black Panther” arrived at a perfect time. “Like ‘Wonder Woman’ last year, ‘Black Panther’ is a project that fans have been waiting decades to see. And just like ‘Wonder Woman,’ it was worth the wait.”