Film Review by RL. Black Panther Wakanda Forever
The tragic passing of the iconic Chadwick Boseman has not left mere ripples in the Marvel Universe but, instead, a tsunami-sized assault on the story and the emotions of the fandom. How to honor the man and character while tastefully moving forward into the franchise's future? To embrace the loss, utilize the lore, and deliver on the promise of what comes next for Wakanda and the world.
The first film was filled with heart, levity, weight, loss, and righteousness of cause. The sequel was forced into the heaviness of loss right from the beginning. Only through cinema’s form of the grieving process can we reach a place of acceptance before respectfully moving forward.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Rating: 3/5
Director: Ryan Coogler
Writers: Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole
Stars: Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira
The heir to the Wakandan throne must face the untimely loss of the King. But first the heir apparent must prove their place to the ruling class. Even as the heir proves their deserved spot, a new royal opponent enters the scene with a different view on how the vibranium deposits should be shared with the world. With completely opposing views, the two sides come to blows leaving our protagonist on the losing side of the initial clash. The final battle is for keeps as both sides seek victory with their opponent’s death. But our hero realizes the death of their foe is not the true outcome.
Finally, peace is found and our hero is crowned as the leader of Wakanda. However, Wakanda is now seen through different lenses by the governments of the world.
The movie also takes advantage of using the platform to further the storylines of new and existing characters for future Marvel projects.
If this synopsis of Wakanda Forever sounds familiar, it is also the summary of the OG Black Panther. With a few alterations.
Where, before, we were introduced to T’Challa in Captain America: Civil War and then dove in with Black Panther’s solo outing, with Shuri we get both outings in a singular film. At two hours and forty-one minutes, this movie covers the running time T’Challa received in both films with similar arcs.
Is this movie different or a rehash? The answer is both yes and no.
With only two options to move forward, filmmaker Ryan Coogler attempts to use real-life issues to forge weld two separate pieces into one. The result was the continuation of a film series and an origin story that is initially two distinct items that fused through pressure, the fire of the crucible, and a necessity for an end result.
While the movie doesn’t quite fire (in my opinion) on the same cylinders as the first brand-new “Black Panther”, the engine rebuild never forgets this is the second volume of Wakanda and the Black Panther.
Angella Basset is terrifying, human, sexy, and commanding in her presence. Her performance is a central pillar of the film and I cannot emphasize how awesome she is.
Winston Duke returns as M’Baku and I absolutely adore him. There is a throwback line to how he perceived Shuri in the OG film that reflected the emotional growth of the leader of the Jabari Tribe. I know I’m not in the minority when I say give me more M’Baku, please.
Danai Gurira slays with dreads and a katana or a shaven scalp and spear. The beloved general of the Dora Milaje kicks butt as always and plucks at the tear ducts as she did in the original.
Martin Freeman is back as Everett Ross to remain an ally of the Wakandans utilizing his position and quirky humor to my amusement.
If you thought Kevin Costner was great as a post-apocalyptic aqua man with a grumpy disposition then you will love Namor, God-King of Talocan. Played by Tenoch Huerta, Namor wings across the screen (see what I did there?) in a similar fashion as KiIlmonger.
Mr. Huerta faces the challenge of portraying a villain while also making him relatable. The attempt is to make his actions understandable. And, possibly, morally forgivable. Does he succeed? You be the judge.
Finally, we get to Letitia Wright. Not only was she chosen as the heir of the Black Panther mantle, but she was also given the responsibility of becoming the weighted headliner. The emotion behind the scenes was compounded by the physical, and extremely serious, injuries sustained during an action scene while filming.
Yet just like a superhero, Ms. Wright refused to be cowed or broken and persevered. If Angella Basset was the force of presence of the film then Ms. Wright is the heart. Wounded and broken initially, we felt the heartache that echoed from the screen. But as she healed and her heart grew strong and proud, we the fans felt the pain ease from stabbing heartache to the bittersweet remembered memory.
Julia Louis-Drefus appeared to pad her stats and establish her presence as the eyepatch-less covert leader with an interestingly comical backstory tie-in.
Lupita Nyong’o yanked the heartstrings while kicking some hiney.
Dominique Thorne premieres in advance of her Disney+ series and sets a tone that separates ”Riri” from her former contemporaries.
In all, this film manages the weight of respectful moving on while reintroducing us to a cast finding new footing in the upheaval of the literal and figurative landscape. And while some parts were slow and even wince-worthy, every birth (or rebirth) has its own seismic pains on the way to the delivery of the final product.
Definitely check this out and be grateful for watching this on the streaming platform Disney+. Your bladder will thank you. Mine did. A few times.
