My only gripe is one that I've had since... Well, Batman'89, really. One-and-done villains. Killing the bad guy is such a cheap out, and one I have always found unfulfilling. I mean, yes, some individuals are just... broken... and there's nothing to be done except put them down like a rabid animal. But Joker back then, Zod in MoS, Ivan in IM2, and now both Klaue and Eric in this one...? Those were people who were doing, basically, the wrong things for the right reasons. Except Klaue, but he's just fun and needed to be around a bit longer.
It's one thing I loved about Spider-Man. Vulture didn't die at the end. The guy who was doing the wrong things for the right reasons has a shot at redemption. I've said it before elsewhere, and I'll say it again here: One of my favorite quotes is from Abraham Lincoln, "The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend." I wanted that last scene with Killmonger to go:
"There is a chance we can still heal you."
"So I can live in a cage? No thanks." (reaches for spearhead)
"No." (puts his hand over Eric's to stop him) "Your father made a mistake. My father made a mistake. We are not them. You have a just grievance. I just... disagree with how you presented it. (both chuckle wryly) "You don't have to be your past. You are a son of Wakanda, and Wakanda needs you. I need you. Come home to us, Prince N'Jadaka..."
Or like that. Cap believed in Bucky. Clint believed in Natasha. They've kept Loki around, and thank God for that. Where there's life, there's hope. Hell, I still firmly believe the armor deflected most of the blast of the exploding arc reactor away from Ivan and he's been being moved around behind the scenes by Fury and a few of his most trusted contacts, and will show up again one day.
On a completely different note, I really, really wanted Chris Evans to have a brief cameo in the coda or post-credits scene, called back because Bucky had been healed, as they (rare in Wakanda tradition) put Eric to rest with a funeral pyre. Steve and Bucky are standing a respectful distance back...
T'CHALLA
(in Wakandan)
Ignite it.
STEVE
(aside, to Bucky)
What did he say?
BUCKY
(aside, to Steve)
My Wakandan is still pretty shaky, but something like 'flame on'.
--Jonah