Panther (1995) {MVD Marquee Blu-ray Review}

There have been many films made over the years of people standing up against the injustices of this world. We are talking about films that dealt with such people as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. And such iconic events as Selma and Just Mercy.

In 1995 a star studded film debuted about the beginnings of the Black Panther movement. Now the good folks at MVD Visual are releasing this film on Blu-ray for the first time.

In this semi-fictionalized account of the origins of the Black Panthers, Vietnam veteran Judge (Kadeem Hardison, Different World) returns to his hometown of Oakland to find it beset by violence and police discrimination against African-Americans. Judge's friend Cy tells him about a vigilante group that's organizing against the police and introduces him to its leaders, Bobby (Courtney B. Vance, The Preacher's Wife) and Huey (Marcus Chong, The Matrix, The Crow: Wicked Prayer). Judge joins the movement but is soon beset by police pressure to inform against Huey.

The film was based on a novel written by the legendary Melvin Van Peebles and directed by his son Mario Van Peebles. While Panther is not a documentary it is a fictionalize story dealing with the real life people who lived during this tumultuous time in our country's history. It is a glossy film piece, instead of being a real account. But Panther does an nice job of capturing the idealism of the party's early days.

The cast is an absolute stellar one look at he names in this film. Bokeem Woodbine (Jason's Lyric), Joe Don Baker (Guns of the Magnificent Seven), Wesley Jonathan (City Guys), M. Emmet Walsh (Blood Simple, The Jerk), Chris Rock (Head of State), Mario Van Peebles (New Jack City), Chris Tucker (Rush Hour), Bobby Brown (Ghostbusters II), Angela Bassett (Boyz n the Hood), Jenifer Lewis (Sister Act), Dick Gregory (Sweet Love, Bitter), James LeGros (Living in Oblivion), Roger Guenveur (Malcom X), Richard Dysart (The Thing), Michael Wincott (Roibin Hood: Prince of Thieves), James Russo (Beverly Hills Cop), Jeris Poindexter (Con Air), Melvin Van Peebles (Three Day Pass). 

MVD Visual under the MVD Marquee Collection have transferred Panther to Blu-ray in 1080p in the original aspect ratio: 1.85:1. The soundtrack is a LPCM 2.0 Stereo. There is also English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. The film looks and sound amazing!

Now as for bonus features MVD Marquee Collection added on this Blu-ray disc the original theatrical trailer. Than for the physical bonus, there is a slipcover and a Blu-ray insert that includes not one but two different kinds of artwork. Yes a very nice reversible artwork insert.

Now while Panther is not the greatest injustice movie ever produced, it is far from the worst. But the amazing cast makes this film a very good addition to anyone's collection. Just realize this is a film for adults only as it is rated R fir violence and profanity.

If you would like to add Panther to your collection I highly recommend this Blu-ray release from MVD Marquee Collection. Head over to Amazon and order your copy today.


Out of Four Film Reels Sets (Four Being the Best) MVD Marquee Collection's Blu-ray release Panther receives...