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Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is the sequel to the 2017 block buster Marvel film Black Panther and the 30th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Franchise. The first Black Panther film became a cultural phenomenon and its star, Chadwick Boseman, was an icon. While Black Panther: Wakanda Forever cannot star Chadwick Boseman due to his unfortunate passing, the film pays all of the respect in the world to him in the most real and emotional ways. In retrospect, the first Black Panther film was more about Wakanda itself and what the Black Panther and the inhabitants would do for the kingdom of Wakanda; Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is no different and that is what makes its title very appropriate.
The passing of Chadwick Boseman is incorporated immediately into the film in a way that explains his physical absence in the film, sets the tone for the status of Wakanda as a nation in the Marvel Universe, and creates a character arc for Shuri (Letitia Wright). The film becomes the coming-of-age story for Shuri as she learns (much like T’Challa learned in the first film) from various perspectives what it must take to be good ruler. Shuri is not immediately made queen of Wakanda upon the passing of T’Challa. The title belongs to her and T’Challa’s mother Ramonda (Angela Bassett). The start of the story shows how the United Nations of the world, who now know of Wakanda’s existence and their relationship to the precious metal vibranium, want it and are hunting for it.
Through a display of force physically and diplomatically, Queen Ramonda and the Dora Milaje show that they are ready to defend Wakanda and their vibranium in spite of no one holding the mantle of The Black Panther. It is soon learned that Wakanda is not the only place to find vibranium. This introduces the underwater nation of Talokan and its people who are able to breathe and survive in the depths of the ocean. This also introduces their king Namor (Tenoch Huerta) who, unlike other Talokans, can breathe underwater and above it, can fly, and has incredible strength. His introduction sets off a chain of events that leads to the introduction of another popular character from Marvel Comics: Riri Williams (Dominque Thorne) aka Iron Heart. Shuri decides it is her duty as Princess of Wakanda to try and negotiate an understanding with Namor to save Riri, protect Wakanda, and prevent Talokan from hurting anymore people.
Much like the first Black Panther film, Wakanda Forever has many jobs to do to push the Marvel Cinematic Universe forward. That being said, it does a wonderful job of being able to stand on its own. Yes there are references to Thanos, but it really is only the first Black Panther film which should be considered required viewing. The rest of what is needed to know is established in this film which has a runtime of two hours and forty-one minutes. The length of the film is justified in everything that is set up and paid off to fit into a single film and it is admirable that Marvel and director Ryan Coogler found a way to tell make it fit into one film rather than splitting in two the same way that Infinity War and Endgame play as one movie split into two.
There is likely a concern over comparisons between the portrayal of underwater realms with Atlantis in other films and here with the Kingdom of Talokan. The differences are night and day. Though there is obviously a fantasy element, Talokan takes a lot of its structures and look from Mayan culture and looks more ancient; especially when compared to Wakanda and its technology. Underwater scenes are also shot differently from what is expected. The first underwater scene of the film is shot more like a horror film; very dark, quiet and ominous.
The fight choreography and action set pieces have also been elevated. Black Panther was Ryan Coogler’s first really big budget film with all of the action expected from a blockbuster and he did a fantastic job. Wakanda Forever shows Coogler doing it even better. Watching the warriors of Talokan and the Dora Milaje fight provides some of the best fight scenes in the film and seeing the armies of Wakanda fighting the army of Talokan is also a great spectacle. But the most interesting and most creative action that Wakanda Forever provides is Namor flying and using his flight and strength in ways that we have not yet seen in the Marvel Universe.
Though Namor and the Talokans are the antagonists in the film, much like the Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) character in the first Black Panther, they are not unsympathetic. Namor’s backstory and the tale of the origin of the Talokans is a tragic one. Coogler does a wonderful job yet again of telling a story where neither the antagonist nor the protagonists are wholly good or wholly bad. That kind of relatability in the characters always makes for an engaging and exciting story and Wakanda Forever is exactly that kind of film.
In a film of great performances which cover the wide range of emotions, it is Angela Bassett who stands above them all. Her portrayal of a queen who has lost her family and still is unafraid to stand up to everyone is incredibly powerful. There is a reason she had the only bit of dialogue in the first trailer for Wakanda Forever and that bit of dialogue is just as powerful, if not more so, in the moment within the film. In addition to being able to portray her character’s vulnerability, Angela Bassett also conveys a real regality that proves she was indisputably the best choice to be a Queen of the most powerful nation on Earth.
Finally, Letitia Wright as Shuri is given more than she has ever been given in all of her MCU appearances. She bears the weight of believing her intellect should have been able to save her family, but couldn’t. She takes the responsibility of representing her kingdom to its greatest threat yet, and struggles with the proper approach. She, who in the first film had no love for the traditions and favored technology and the future, continues to struggle and find a balance between the two. The character of Shuri truly grows into more than just the genius little sister of Black Panther.
As aforementioned, the runtime of two hours and forty-one minutes is daunting, but when you consider all of the plot and characters and development you get out of it, the experience of Wakanda Forever is worth the trip. Above all, the film beautifully and emotionally conveys the theme of perseverance in the face of tragedy and loss and that Black Panther, no matter who wears the mantle, like Wakanda is forever.
See the film out in theaters now!
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