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As storytellers, we all strive for that moment. It could be the ultimate climax of the story or even a moment of heroic growth leading up to the climax, but whenever it occurs, it brings out the audience’s natural instinct to cheer. It’s the seminal representation of the audience becoming one with the story and its characters, no longer seeing them as fictional beings, but as friends they’re rooting for. We all try to capture the magic of that moment. Many of us, myself included, fall short. But certain moments capture that magic so perfectly that they become historic.

In 2022, the Academy Awards listed their Most Cheer-worthy Moments in film, but the revealed list was a disappointment, to say the least. I mean, seriously, the Flash entering the Speed Force during a mediocre film as the top pick? Absolutely ridiculous. Today, I decided to pick the real most cheer-worthy moments in film. Bear in mind, of course, that this is only my opinion. As ranking these moments is inherently subjective, I tried to consider several factors. Those include how iconic the film or the moment itself is, the impact of the moment in the story, and the amount of satisfaction it delivers for the audience. Also, I try to keep to one moment per franchise, as well as looking at films from different genres and time periods. Without further ado, let’s do this!

Number Ten: The Wizard of Oz (1939) – Dorothy melts the Wicked Witch

One of the longest-enduring classic films of them all, The Wizard of Oz gave us a character who really became film’s first true supervillain. The Wicked Witch of the West is powerful, evil, and downright scary from her very first appearance. She might seem goofy and cartoony by today’s standards, but in 1939, she was terrifying! Not only does she frighten and attack Dorothy and her friends with magic throughout the film but she also commands an army of soldiers and flying monkeys. After all the antagonism she brings over the course of the story, it takes one of the simplest things imaginable to finally bring her down: a bucket of water. It was a truly fantastical ending for one of film’s greatest villains, and it brought audiences to their feet in applause.

Number Nine: Jaws (1975) – Smile, ya SOB!

Similar to the Wicked Witch, the shark in Jaws managed to be a terrifying antagonist for the entirety of the film, but this time, the villain’s appearance remained a mystery until the film’s glorious climax. It’s not until Sheriff Brody, Captain Quint, and Hooper sail out to kill it that we finally see the shark itself. In a classic man vs. wild showdown, the shark toys with the three men for hours, gradually escalating in ferocity with each attack. Eventually, after nearly killing Hooper and devouring Quint alive, the shark causes the ship to begin to sink. In desperation, Brody tosses a SCUBA tank into the shark’s mouth and grabs a rifle. The monstrous shark spies Brody on the sinking mast of the ship and charges, forcing Brody to take several inaccurate shots. Finally, just as the shark is about to overtake him, Brody hits the SCUBA tank, killing the beast in a bloody explosion. A truly satisfying conclusion to a pulse-pounding sequence.

Number Eight: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) – Elliott and E.T. take flight

This moment is actually a pair of incredible moments. First, at the midpoint of this classic film, Elliott and his alien friend, E.T., sneak into the woods one night to try and contact E.T.’s people so he can return to his home planet. Along their journey, E.T. rides in the basket of Elliott’s bike. With his telekinetic abilities, E.T. levitates the bike to allow the pair to fly through the night sky. It’s a simple moment of awe and wonder, and Elliott’s bike silhouetted against the full moon remains one of the single most iconic shots in all of cinema.

The second moment, arguably the more cheer-worthy of the two, occurs at the film’s climax. The government has moved in and wishes to take custody of E.T., leading Elliott to go on the run. The climactic chase involving Elliott on his bike, escorted by his former bullies on their bikes, ultimately leads to a roadblock of police cruisers. But as was foreshadowed in the previous scene, E.T. levitates the five boys into the sky allowing them to escape the government agents and return E.T. to his ship. This scene has everything. Tense story elements, incredible reactions from the young actors, and the music. Oh, god, the music is peak John Williams. Nothing more to say.

Number Seven: Goldfinger (1964) – James Bond fries Oddjob

I knew I wanted to include a James Bond moment in this list, and it was between this moment and the train fight against Donald “Red” Grant in From Russia with Love. I almost went with Grant, but it occurred to me what makes the Oddjob fight so incredibly special. Grant is the opposite side of the coin to Bond, his negative, his dark side, his equal. Oddjob is not Bond’s equal. This is the first time in the film series that Bond had to face a truly superior opponent in single combat. It’s tense and nerve-wracking, made even more so by the lack of background music, save for the nearby bomb ticking away. Oddjob has already gotten the better of Bond twice in the film and dominates much of this fight, gleefully toying with Bond while smiling all the while. Here, Bond cements his legacy as the greatest secret agent in film by using his brain to lure Oddjob into a trap, electrocuting the brute. It’s an exciting moment that isn’t even the final resolution to the film’s climax, making it all the sweeter as the audience wonders what else is to come in the story.

Number Six: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) – Han Solo saves Luke

Han Solo is often thought of as one of the greatest film heroes of all time, and deservedly so. He did not, however, begin as a heroic character. When we first meet Han in Mos Eisley, he’s a smuggler and a mercenary hired to transport our heroes on his spaceship, the Millennium Falcon. Throughout the film, Han is cynical and sarcastic, only looking out for himself and his best friend, Chewbacca. Even as he starts to act more like a hero as the story progresses, we are duped into thinking Han hasn’t changed a bit when he cuts and runs just before the final attack on the Death Star. This, however, makes our elation all the more powerful at his eventual return. Luke is the last remaining pilot with any chance of destroying the battle station and has mere seconds before the Rebel base is destroyed. Just as Darth Vader is about to shoot him down, Han swoops in, killing Vader’s wingmen and sending the Sith Lord hurtling off into space. From the sight of the Millennium Falcon divebombing Vader to the sound Han’s excited cry, this is the moment Han Solo officially became a hero. It’s easily the most cheer-worthy moment in all of Star Wars, hands down.

Number Five: Rocky II (1979) – Rocky Balboa defeats Apollo Creed

While the first Rocky may be the superior film, the sequel gave us one of the greatest cheers in film history. Where Apollo underestimated Rocky in their first fight, he now takes the Italian Stallion seriously. The two titans of the ring are the very definition of evenly matched, neither ceding anything to the other through this bout. While not the most realistic as far as choreography, the sheer emotion of this fight is what makes Rocky’s victory all the better. Before, he won a personal victory by taking Apollo all 15 rounds before losing on points. Now, he gives everything he has and wins the title of Heavyweight Champion of the World. But even better, he wins a friend in Apollo Creed, as the rest of the franchise shows. What else can be said? “Yo, Adrian! I did it!”

Number Four: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. II (2011) – Neville Longbottom and the Sword of Gryffindor

The Harry Potter films made a lot of compromises from the books, but there are several moments they got so spectacularly right. Chief among them is this moment, which takes place right before the final confrontation between Harry and Voldemort. With Harry Potter seemingly dead and Voldemort believing his victory is assured, one young man steps forward to oppose him. Neville Longbottom, the supposed coward, gives perhaps the best monologue in the entire franchise before taking the Sorting Hat and drawing the mythical Sword of Gryffindor – a sword which can only be wielded by a Gryffindor of true courage. Several action-packed minutes later, he uses the sword to slay Voldemort’s snake, Nagini, but it is his initial draw that is so incredible. It symbolizes the completion of one of the best character arcs in the entire series, both in the books and in film. This is how a bumbler comes into his own.

Number Three: The Ten Commandments (1956) – Moses parts the Red Sea

What an iconic moment from arguably the greatest film in an utterly stacked category: historical epics. Imagine going to see this film back in 1956. You’re obviously familiar with the Bible story of Moses and the Ten Commandments, but you wonder – how in the world is Charlton Heston supposed to part the Red Sea? I mean, aside from just being Charlton Heston. In a bit of revolutionary camerawork and editing, director Cecile B. DeMille engineered this spectacular scene by combining three different shots of the land, sea, and sky. The sea was particularly tricky, requiring him to build a giant tank of water with a U-shaped trough, combined with clips of crashing waves running in reverse. Though the final product might look silly to modern moviegoers, it truly changed how special effects were done in the film industry back in 1956. And that’s not even mentioning the powerful impact this scene has on the story. From orphan to prince, prince to outcast, outcast to prophet, Moses has seen and done it all, and he’s done it in the face of the almighty Pharaoh, Ramses, while the Israelites just griped and complained. This isn’t the ultimate climax of the movie, but it sets the stage for Moses’ leadership as God’s people grapple with their newfound freedom in the final act.

Number Two: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) – Merry and Éowyn slay the Witch-king

The Witch-king, leader of the Nazgûl, really was one of the most persistent foes the forces of good faced throughout Peter Jackson’s trilogy. He nearly ended Frodo when his journey had barely begun and was only stopped in that instance by the timely arrival of the elves. Even so, he continued doing the bidding of Sauron with deadly efficiency, leading his forces in taking Minas Tirith’s garrison in the next film and laying siege to Minas Tirith itself in the final film. During this siege, he fatefully proclaims that no man can kill him. And, perhaps, he was right. It was a tiny Hobbit, Merry, stabbing the Witch-king in the back that allowed the shieldmaiden, Éowyn, to at last end Sauron’s second-in-command for good. Best of all was her immortal retort that she is no man. Though there were still more battles to be fought before this story could reach its amazing conclusion, this moment truly stands out among all others.

Before we get to the top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

The Matrix (1999) – Neo dodges bullets for the first time
The Dark Knight (2008) – Jim Gordon fakes his death to capture the Joker
The Karate Kid (1984) – Daniel Larusso’s final Crake Kick
The Avengers (2012) – The six Avengers unite in the Battle of New York

Finally, the most cheer-worthy moment in all of cinema is…

Number One: Avengers: Endgame (2019) – Captain America takes up Mjölnir and assembles the entire Avengers

I distinctly remember sitting in the theater for this one. This entire five-minute sequence was one long string of cheers and gasps. Long foreshadowed since Age of Ultron, Steve Rogers finally proves he’s worthy to rule Asgard and takes up the legendary hammer Mjölnir against Thanos. Their battle is epic and crowd-pleasing, but even Steve’s worthiness isn’t enough to stop the Titan, and he is soon bloodied and his shattered vibranium shield nearly useless. With both Thor and Iron Man out of commission, Steve is the only one left standing as Thanos’ army amasses to take the Infinity Stones for good. That’s when Steve hears that famous line.

“On your left.”

Steve stands breathless as mystic portals begin to open around him, revealing every hero of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, even those who had been Snapped out of existence during Infinity War. Black Panther, Falcon, Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, the Guardians of the Galaxy, everyone is here. Steve’s steadfast refusal to be moved is finally rewarded in the most epic fashion imaginable, and he at last calls out that legendary battle cry fans had been waiting nearly a decade to hear.

“Avengers… assemble!”

This moment, though it’s still very recent, is one I believe will go down as one of the greatest and most important in film history, as well as the history of storytelling. It is an amazing culmination, not of a movie or even a trilogy of movies, but of… wait for it… TWENTY-TWO FILMS! Nearly two-dozen movies, all telling interconnected stories, converge on this incredible moment. Though the final battle with Thanos and his forces still awaits, this sequence makes the audience feel like they are part of this team-up as the epic conclusion unfolds.

Conclusion

That’s going to do it for this ranking. I don’t fancy myself perfect, but I feel like I did a far better job picking and ranking these moments than the Academy did. But I’d like to hear from you guys. Do you agree? Did I get the order wrong? Were there other moments you feel I should have included? Please let me know in the comments.

I hope you enjoyed this entry. Let me know if you have any ideas or requests for future entries. I’ve got an active running list of ideas, but I’m always open to more. If you did enjoy it, please visit my website, leave a like or a comment and share this post on social media. And to stay up to date on future blog posts, you can sign up for my monthly newsletter. Until the next story!

Greetings, intrepid readers! Welcome to my biweekly storytelling blog. Here, we’ll be examining various facets of storytelling in different mediums. I’ve found such musings helpful in my own writings, and I hope you’ll find them to be of similar help. If nothing else, I hope this is a fun and entertaining diversion. For today’s topic, we will be analyzing several characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to determine which one should be the next one to become the Black Panther.

The untimely death of Chadwick Boseman hangs heavy over the film industry, and particularly the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His impeccable portrayal of King T’Challa has garnered universal acclaim, and deservedly so. As such, his character was poised to become one of the central figures in Phase Four of the Marvel films, alongside Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, and Captain Marvel. Sadly, this will no longer be the case. Marvel Studios has already confirmed that they will not recast the role of T’Challa, cementing Boseman’s legendary status in the role. This, however, raises a new question. Who will become the new Black Panther in the upcoming film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever? That is the question I will attempt to answer in today’s blog.

A couple of stipulations. First, I am working under the assumption that an existing character will assume the mantle of Black Panther. While it’s certainly possible that an entirely new character could be in the works, I think it’s far more likely for an established character in the continuity to step up. Second, this is not an attempt to answer which actor or actress would be the best in the role, but to analyze which character would make the most sense. These thoughts are my opinions only, so please don’t get offended if you disagree with my views.

It’s important to remember that Wakanda has specific laws governing the lines of succession. Traditionally, the Black Panther comes from the Golden Tribe, which is Wakanda’s royal family. In most instances, the Black Panther is also King or Queen, though there can be exceptions, such as T’Chaka retaining the title of King while relinquishing the mantle of Black Panther to his son, T’Challa, due to the former’s old age.

In addition to the Golden Tribe, Wakanda has five other tribes, each associated with the River, the Border, the Mountain, the Merchants, and the Mines. Once a year, Challenge Day allows any of these tribes to put forth a warrior to challenge the sitting ruler for the throne. A challenge may also come from any member of the royal family, down as far as cousins, nieces, and nephews. If a challenge is given, the Black Panther must face their challenger in ritual combat, stripped of their superhuman abilities and without the use of technologically advanced weapons. The challenge only ends with death or surrender, and the winner is given the Heart-Shaped Herb bestowing upon them the power of the Black Panther.

The Heart-Shaped Herb is another interesting point, as Killmonger had the entire crop burned after becoming king in Black Panther. This raises the question of if the new Black Panther will even have superhuman abilities. Though it’s entirely plausible that they will not, I contend they eventually will. I see it as very likely that a quest or mission to find more of the Heart-Shaped Herb will be an important plot point in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This represents an additional challenge the new king or queen must overcome, allowing for more facets to their character and the kingdom of Wakanda.

As I analyze these five characters and their chances of becoming the new Black Panther, the laws of succession will be a heavy influence on the results. Now, with the preamble out of the way, let’s crown the new Black Panther!

Candidate #1: Erik Killmonger

Any discussion of a new Black Panther has to start with Killmonger. After all, he’s already claimed the mantle once, even if he technically lost the challenge, since T’Challa did not die or surrender. He absolutely has the skill and desire to win the mantle in ritual combat. Even without the abilities of the Black Panther, he possesses peak athleticism, a brutal fighting style, and a lifetime of military training. Combine this with his ruthless, uncaring attitude about killing anyone who stands in his way, and he would have to be considered the favorite – if he were still alive.

This is the first fatal flaw of Killmonger’s candidacy. He is, in fact, dead. Marvel would have to pull out some Vibranium Voodoo to say he never really died or something like that, but I see that as extremely unlikely. There could be a multiverse solution to bringing his character back, as we’ve seen from What if…? Still, I view Killmonger as the least likely to become the new Black Panther because of his second fatal flaw – he’s a villain, not an anti-hero. He may be a compelling and interesting villain, but he’s still undeniably evil in his methods. The film Black Panther proved why a man like Killmonger must never sit on the throne of Wakanda. Even the alternate-reality version of Killmonger was a murderous, back-stabbing, power-hungry sociopath. Even if he were still alive, his character would need a long redemption arc before he could be considered even remotely worthy of the mantle of Black Panther.

Candidate #2: Shuri

Shuri is T’Challa’s younger sister and a technological genius on the same level as Tony Stark and Bruce Banner. Her scientific skills are unparalleled, and she has plenty of attitude and personality to boot. It would definitely be a fun ride seeing her become Queen of Wakanda. From my online research, she seems to be the fan favorite to become the new Black Panther, and if it were a decision made solely based on the actress, I’d be inclined to agree.

As a character, however, I have a hard time seeing Shuri becoming the new Black Panther. While her brilliance can’t be denied, we have not known her to have the heart of a warrior. Yes, she bravely entered into battle against Killmonger and Thanos’ army, but that was with the aid of her Vibranium gauntlets. I seriously doubt a powerful ranged weapon like that would be allowed in ritual combat, leading me to believe Shuri would not have the physical prowess needed to win the mantle of Black Panther. It would be compelling to see Leticia Wright in the lead, but as a character, Shuri doesn’t make much sense to me.

Candidate #3: Okoye

Now, we’re getting serious. Okoye looks to have all the makings of the next Black Panther. She’s a fearsome warrior both armed and unarmed, possesses incredible leadership potential, and is loyal to Wakanda above all else. My only misgiving about Okoye is her willingness to leave Agent Ross to die after he took a bullet for Nakia in Black Panther. I can understand her position, but it still didn’t sit well with me. Still, Okoye’s combat skills are superb, but an even greater advantage is her natural leadership. She was previously the top general of the elite Dora Milaje even before T’Challa took the throne. In addition, it seems logical that she became one of Wakanda’s top leaders in the five years following The Snap, considering both T’Challa and Shuri did not survive. T’Challa’s mother, Ramonda, could have assumed the official role of Queen, but Okoye’s communications with Natasha Romanoff make clear her high rank in post-Snap Wakanda. So, we have a winner, right?

As Lee Corso would say, not so fast, my friend! There’s no question about Okoye’s ability to win the mantle of Black Panther. The real question is, would she seek the mantle? In her own words, she is loyal to the throne of Wakanda, no matter who sits upon it. This characterizes her as a strong military leader who loves her nation and seeks the good of that nation, even if it puts her in conflict with her fellow citizens on occasion. To me, Okoye strikes me as very similar to American general George Patton in this regard. Like Okoye, Patton was a warrior’s general, always present near the battle with his men. Patton, for all his brash opinions, never harbored political aspirations of his own. He considered himself a military man before all else. It wouldn’t surprise me to learn that Okoye felt much the same way. That could possibly change, as we don’t know how Okoye’s mindset may have shifted in the five years without T’Challa, but as it sits right now, I could see her not wanting the mantle at all.

Candidate #4: Nakia

Nakia is Wakanda’s top War Dog spy and T’Challa’s lover. She represents the interventionalist pull on T’Challa in contrast to Okoye’s more isolationist stance. Though they don’t agree on everything, T’Challa always wants Nakia close to him as a friend and confidant. Immediately after learning about T’Chaka killing his own brother, T’Challa seeks out Nakia before anyone else. After Killmonger is thwarted and T’Challa regains the throne, he puts Nakia in charge of Wakanda’s international outreach. Why do I mention all of this? You’ll find out in a minute.

As far as combat, Nakia is a proud warrior. She proved to be a dangerous opponent when she entered the battle against Killmonger and had no qualms engaging him up close with her signature Ring Blade weapons. In addition, she stood ready at T’Challa’s first Challenge Day in the event the River Tribe decided to challenge for the throne. In short, she is a strong warrior who could certainly win the mantle of Black Panther in ritual combat.

Nakia is another character for whom the question must be asked, would she seek the mantle of Black Panther? At first, the answer would seem to be no. In the film, Queen Ramonda urges Nakia to consume the final Heart-Shaped Herb after they fear T’Challa dead, but Nakia refuses. She reasons that she is a spy, which makes her untrustworthy of such power. I, however, theorize that this has likely changed in the years since. In her role as ambassador for Wakanda, Nakia would have had the opportunity to grow her leadership skills, as well as learn more about the world without being seen as a spy. Would her time as ambassador have given Nakia the confidence to seek the mantle of Black Panther? I consider it very likely.

Candidate #5: M’Baku

Finally, we look at the Great Gorilla and Lord of the Jabari Tribe himself, M’Baku. For years, the Jabari chose to isolate themselves from the rest of Wakanda, only reappearing to occasionally challenge for the throne. M’Baku’s challenge to T’Challa was quite noteworthy, as he had the prince on the ropes for much of the fight, proving his capability as a warrior.

Yet as much as M’Baku projects himself as a brutal, intimidating leader, he shows flashes of his true nature. He is staunchly traditionalist, but not so stubborn as to ignore T’Challa’s pleas to surrender the challenge once at T’Challa’s mercy. He is a man of honor, helping save T’Challa’s life after his first battle with Killmonger, and even refusing the Heart-Shaped Herb from Nakia, knowing it would heal T’Challa. He also has a sense of humor, even if it’s slightly twisted, as shown when he threatens to feed Agent Ross to his children before then explaining they’re vegetarian. For all his traditionalist views, M’Baku has shown more capacity for growth and nuance than all of the other characters mentioned. By the end of Black Panther, he has led the Jabari in combat to help T’Challa retake the throne and has been named to King T’Challa’s Tribal Council.

More than any other character, I consider M’Baku to be the best fit to be the new Black Panther and King of Wakanda. He is a fearless warrior with a surprisingly big heart. He holds firm to his beliefs, even going so far as to call out T’Challa for referring to the Jabari as “us” after centuries of kings had refused to acknowledge the Jabari. Yet he is more than willing to listen to dissenting views, even if he disagrees with them. I have no specific examples of this, but M’Baku’s appointment to the Tribal Council and his true friendship with T’Challa, evidenced by referring to the King as Brother in Infinity War, show this side of his personality. M’Baku would be a very different Black Panther from T’Challa but is worthy of the title all the same.

Conclusion

Of the five most likely characters, I rank M’Baku as the top potential Black Panther. He’s followed closely by Nakia, then Okoye, then Shuri, and finally Killmonger. Of course, I have no idea what Marvel wants to do with these characters going forward, so I could be completely off base. This is simply my opinion based on the established character traits each possesses and the rules we’ve seen in the films so far. From a storytelling perspective, I definitely think M’Baku would make the most compelling Black Panther, not only with him being a traditionalist but also in forcing him to work closely with Shuri, whom M’Baku has previously called a child who scoffs at tradition. I can see them rubbing each other the wrong way, making for some fun situations in the next film. Regardless of who is chosen, I have high hopes for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

I hope you enjoyed this look into the inner workings of Wakanda and the fascinating characters inhabiting it. Such a cast of characters, each with different personalities and methods, is what can help make a good story into a great one.

If you enjoyed this blog, please check out my full blog on my website, www.mhbarton.com/blog. I'd appreciate a like or comment on there, as it helps with getting my name out into the world. And if you really enjoyed it, feel free to share it on social media and subscribe to my newsletter! That way, you'll be notified when the next post goes live.

Thanks for reading. I’ll see you in two weeks!

M. H. Barton

Hello, intrepid readers! I know it's been a while, and I've been hard at work on my Urban Fantasy story I'm querying, as well as its sequel. In the meantime, I think I'm going to start doing an official blog schedule, posting both here and on my website, mhbarton.com. I'm thinking it'll be every other week. I'll be focusing primarily on fun things, like rankings of film series, TV shows, character analysis posts, and maybe a few speculative posts. For example, my first planned post is "Who should be the new Black Panther in the MCU?" Is this something y'all would be interested in? I'd love to hear from you either way, if you think this is a good way to explore storytelling more in-depth or if I'm just wasting my time. Hope to hear from y'all soon!

M. H. Barton (auguy86)

You guys gave me such a response to my request for beta readers! Y'all rock! Really sorry I couldn't say yes to everyone, but thanks again to all who reached out. I appreciate it.

M. H. Barton (auguy86)

Greetings, dear readers! I know it's been quite a while since my last post. I won't bore you with the details, but the short of it is I'm currently parenting a toddler, so yeah... no free time.

But there is good news! I've been working on a major project for some time now and finally have it ready for beta readers. The book is just over 100k words, so not a super short read. If you're interested in helping with some honest feedback or would like to know more before you opt in, please reach out. Probably looking for between five and ten readers, especially those familiar with my previous fantasy works.

Hope to hear from y'all soon!

M. H. Barton