Preston Grabczak was wiped out by the time the “Black Panther” was over Thursday night.
His mom, Angela Grabczak, of Hobart, had no doubt, however, her the little guy — who dressed as the title character, full mask and all — would chatter nonstop about his new favorite movie on the way home. But to a reporter, he was a superhero of few words.
“It was good,” the 5-year-old said, pulling his mask down over his face.
For some 300 fans attending the ECIER Foundation’s advance screening of “Black Panther,” the first superhero blockbuster devoted to a black character and predominantly black cast saw patrons bring out their most colorful finest.
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The foundation, which hosts advance screenings of family-friendly movies to raise funds, pulled out all the stops to make the event a red-carpet affair. Foundation President Chareice White said the response was so tremendous, she wishes she could’ve expanded it.
“We could’ve taken over the whole building,” she said. “Kids gravitate toward to movies like this.”
As did politicians. Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson was there with her family ready to take in the movie’s majesty.
“I was never a comic-book kid, but to see something like this come to life is huge,” the mayor said. “And I’m a fan of Angela Bassett and Lupita Nyong’o.”
Charbria White and Jennifer Mabon dressed in their finest Wakandian garb, face paint included. For Charbria White, the movie represented strong women.
“Marvel focuses on strong women, and to see strong black women with natural hair as leaders is important to me,” she said. “It shows who we are.”
Tyrone Spann, of Hammond, has always been a comic-book fan. He has all the Black Panther comics and said he’s been ready to see how a major studio would treat the story.
He wasn’t disappointed.
“This is the best essence I’ve seen so far. It’s just fantastic,” Spann said. “Black Panther is the epitome of strength black people have, and the movie personified the good we can bring when we all work together.”
Jimella Martin, 19, of Matteson, Ill., walked out of the movie beaming. She was already planning on seeing it again and again “until it shows up on Netflix.”
“For me, the movie shows our culture and how with family and love, we can all be united,” Martin said. “My favorite was the General (Okoye), who fought for what was right.”
“Black Panther” grossed $25.2 million Thursday and is expected to pull in at least $180 million in its first weekend, according to the L.A. Times.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune