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Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
(Marvel Studios)
By Lucas Allen
The most common theme used in Phase 4 of the MCU is grief. Whether it’s Wanda mourning the loss of Vision in “Wandavision,” Peter Parker losing Aunt May in “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” or Jane Foster dying of cancer in “Thor: Love and Thunder,” grief has become integral in these characters’ ever-growing journey. But the final Phase 4 title, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” forges a different path while celebrating the legacy of the title character and the actor who portrayed him, Chadwick Boseman.
Wakanda is in a state of mourning after the death of their King T’Challa. Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) is trying to lead her kingdom, while facing concerned world leaders over vibranium. Meanwhile, Shuri (Letita Wright) has trouble coping with the loss of her brother, while Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) has a teaching job in Haiti. In the meantime, a new threat emerges when the invading army of the underwater city of Talokan led by Namor (newcomer Tenoch Huerta) begins looking for a scientist responsible for creating a device that can detect vibranium anywhere in the world.
Soon enough, Shuri and Okoye (Danai Gurira) head to America, where CIA agent Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) points to a college-age student named Riri (Dominique Thorne) who made the device as well as a homemade Iron Man suit. However, Namor’s army quickly catches up to them and Shuri and Riri end up getting taken to the caves of Yucatan. That’s when Shuri has to make a choice between her Wakandian duty and a Talokan leader leading to a destiny and a big battle alongside the Wakanda troops including M’Baku (Winston Duke) that decides everything.
Whereas “Eternals” was pretty to look at but disappointing in its storytelling, co-writer/director Ryan Coogler sends a clear message that images and words matter in a movie like this. His ability to create great imagery with important characters and dialogue shine through as well as the previous Black Panther film. Though Boseman’s absence is sadly felt, the director made sure he’s never forgotten for both the actors and the audience to remember him fondly. After this film, the late actor’s legacy with Marvel Studios will remain alive and well for decades to come.
Despite its indulgent runtime at 2.5 hours, the movie made sure to mix action, drama, and comedy to give the fans everything they wanted and more. The big action sequences are spectacular enough to satisfy, while the comedy works fine if a bit too much. But most importantly, the drama remains well-written and directed that it very much succeeds in serious superhero entertainment similar to last March’s “The Batman.” It’s no doubt that Marvel continues to make movies extra special for fans of any age.
Without Boseman, the other actors have to step up if they want the sequel to work, and they managed to do this and even more. Bassett is phenomenal as both a powerful queen and a grieving mother bringing power to both sides of her performance. While returning actors Nyong’o, Gurira, Duke, and Freeman do their job, it’s Wright who’s given a real character arc from princess to hero, and she pulls it off pretty well. The best goes to Huerta as Namor giving different vibes from Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger as a typical Marvel villain, but has a really good backstory to take advantage of his villainy.
Oscar winner Ludwig Goransson return to score the sequel bringing fresher themes for Wakanda as well as Namor and Talokan. Its mix of traditional African, Latin, and R&B will stay with you long after the credits. The new song “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna will also make that same impact with the upcoming Oscars.
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” lives up to both the original and the character’s legacy in more ways than one. While we’re still grieving, we’re also celebrating Chadwick Boseman’s life and legacy through this powerful motion picture.
THE MOVIE’S RATING: PG-13 (for sequences of strong violence, action, and some language)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 4 Stars (Out of Four)
