Marvel’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” released as a sequel to the original “Black Panther” on Nov. 11, 2022 continues the series by showcasing various other characters despite the death of Chadwick Boseman.
The beloved, original “Black Panther” released back in 2018 introduced Wakanda, a city rich in a metal known as vibranium that fueled their immense and advanced technology, making it the most hidden but also the most powerful country in the world. Within that film was the Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) as the lead role being the protector and king of Wakanda. Following Boseman’s death, the series had to adapt with the original Black Panther’s sister, Shuri (Letitia Wright), playing the lead role in “Wakanda Forever”.
“Wakanda Forever” follows Shuri and her mother (Angela Bassett) who, as the royalty of Wakanda, must navigate a life without the Black Panther and face new enemies that prove to be of equal or greater strength.
Despite missing Boseman, who fans admired during his time in the series, the film did not lack in terms of directing, plot, or humorous aspects. New, innovative ideas were introduced in terms of Wakandan technology while interactions with the outside world revealed Wakanda’s true potential.
In terms of humor, the film maintains the perfect balance between occasional jokes and serious action scenes. Throughout the film, the audience remain lighthearted because until the film approaches the near end where it begins to tense up, action scenes are always complemented with dialogues of some sort that make the viewer laugh. This adds to the film’s overall appeal and kept me hooked throughout the course of the experience.
When it comes to the directing aspect, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) did an amazing job at incorporating elements such as graphically enhanced underwater scenes and new technology that contributed to the plot. I felt that I was almost in the movie myself with the help of scenes that were so well directed and visually appealing such as underwater kingdoms or battle scenes.
Shuri definitely played her part and served as a replacement for Boseman, however her acting and character is not up to par with him. Her role in the film often hesitates to do what is necessary for the Wakandan Kingdom, it gives the feel of a growing teenage girl rather than the lead role in an MCU movie. Being the most important character, I would have found the film even more meaningful if it were led by someone more responsible and capable, with Shuri continuing her role as Wakanda’s scientist.
Since the first “Black Panther,” it has been ingrained in viewers mind’s that Wakanda was the most powerful country to exist in the MCU. However, by the middle of the film, I began to doubt whether that still holds true as Wakandan society faced off with their enemies, facing brutal destruction at one point. Yet by the end of the film it is once again confirmed that Wakanda is a force that holds true to its power in a victory.
These shifts between destruction and victory that the plot creates add appeal to the film and keep it interesting despite being a lengthy 2 hours and 41 minutes. No matter how large the difficulty, Wakanda powers through despite being shaken up in the process, therefore emphasizing its true power. This sense of power that I witnessed throughout the film left me feeling a sense of strength and respect for the movie, making it a worthwhile experience.
In short, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is a must-watch film that perfectly combines humor, action, and a noteworthy plot, presenting itself as a worthy sequel to the original Black Panther.