Review: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is the long-awaited sequel. Our JP gives his thoughts on the Marvel movie starring Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, and Angela Bassett.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
(Walt Disney Pictures /Marvel Studios)

  • Directed by Ryan Coogler
  • Screenplay by Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole
  • Story by Ryan Coogler
  • Based on Marvel Comics
  • Produced by Kevin Feige, Nate Moore
    Starring Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Florence Kasumba, Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Tenoch Huerta, Martin Freeman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Angela Bassett

Studio Synopsis:

In Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba) fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Introducing Tenoch Huerta as Namor, king of a hidden undersea nation, the film also stars Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena and Alex Livinalli. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige and Nate Moore, opens in U.S. theaters Nov. 11, 2022.

Angela Bassett as Ramonda
in Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER. Photo by Annette Brown. © 2022 MARVEL.

J.P.’s Take:

To say that “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is just another enjoyable Marvel comic-book exploit is a misrepresentation of the “Black Panther” banner entirely.

Black Panther is a powerful figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and his presence is felt throughout the community of African-American comic book readers. Those who know the comics understand that he not only represents strength, courage, and honor; but, most importantly, unity. When you examine the scope of the subject matter wholly, you get the sense that those sentiments and the character will live on in others. It seems fitting that writer/director Ryan Cooglar and writer Joe Robert Cole build a story around a nation mourning its fallen leader and how they come together in times of crisis.

“Wakanda Forever” is a much more expansive film than its precursor; it pays tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, who donned the pivotal role of T’Challa/Black Panther and continuing his character’s legacy.

Letitia Wright as Shuri
in Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER. Photo by Annette Brown. © 2022 MARVEL.

The film opens with Shuri (Letitia Wright), T’Challa’s sister, feverishly working on a cure for a disease that is killing him. She fights to save his life as she recreates the heart-shaped herb, the source of his powers, to no avail. Alas, Shuri cannot cure him, and Queen Romanda (Angela Bassett) announces to the nation that T’Challa has died. All of Wakanda is dressed in white and presented a grand ceremony in his honor.

A year after T’Challa’s death, a new threat immerges. Queen Ramonda goes before the UN, urging all countries not to tap into their source and vibranium as it could have detrimental effects on their land and diplomacy. Meanwhile, Shuri is beseeched by her mother, the Queen, to continue research on the heart-shaped herb to bring about a new defender for Wakanda. Yet, she relents as she feels Black Panther is now a relic of the past.

Marvel knows how to weave content that reaches the masses, whether the story is about a movement or the struggles of an individual, they’re relevant to real-life situations. “Wakanda Forever” is no exception to the rule, with a story that becomes the perfect backdrop for three powerful nations to square off in a battle royale. It also boasts a powerful message of how grief can tear a nation apart or unite them altogether.

Michaela Coel as Aneka
Michaela Coel as Aneka in Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER. Photo by Annette Brown. © 2022 MARVEL.

“Wakanda Forever” introduces a conflict that colonized nations have faced in the past and even now. This is evident when Namor (Tenoch Huerta) arrives on the scene to give Queen Ramonda a message. His nation, too, has become the target of colonizers, because the ancient city of Talokan is the new source of vibranium. A young MIT student named Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), who later becomes Iron Heart, is the center of their fight, as she’s created a sophisticated machine that can detect vibranium anywhere. Namor asks Queen Ramonda to capture Riri and bring her to him, as her invention puts them both at the mercy of corrupt nations who wish to take their resources by force. If she delivers, Wakanda will be left alone; if not, they will suffer the consequences.

As the two nations (Wakanda and Talokan) volley back and forth in a power struggle, each character finds their motivations, utilizing the many tragedies occurring throughout this sequel.

I can’t begin to tell how expressive the imagery is or how the performances came across, I can say that my eyes welled up with tears when they laid T’Challa/Black Panther to rest. This moment is the equivalent of memorializing Dr. Martin Luther King or Malcolm X, to be honest. The set pieces were beautiful thought out as well. I was also invigorated by the action sequences and the eerie moments leading up to some excellent take downs.

Dorothy Steel as Merchant Tribe Elder, Florence Kasumba as Ayo, Angela Bassett as Ramonda, Danai Gurira as Okoye
(L-R): Dorothy Steel as Merchant Tribe Elder, Florence Kasumba as Ayo, Angela Bassett as Ramonda, Danai Gurira as Okoye in Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2022 MARVEL.

“Wakanda Forever” also serves as a highly imaginative slice of Afro-Futurism, displaying the intelligence, influence, and technical prowess of future African and Africa-Americans. The effects are advanced to the degree that the simplest devices are the beads the Wakandans wear on their neck and wrists.

Marvel leaves with a curious ending as usual, which suggests that Black Panther will live on in some form or fashion. You’ll have to wait a few years to find out how. I felt “Wakanda Forever” was a beautifully made adventure that may be well received, as the first “Black Panther” film.

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