The following review contains SPOILERS for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever had an uphill battle going in production. Following the passing of star Chadwick Boseman, Marvel Studios chose to retool the film with a new protagonist rather than recasting T’Challa. That move gave some fans pause, but director Ryan Coogler and the creatives at Marvel Studios have pulled it off.
The sequel to 2018’s highly successful Black Panther is a poignant and powerful tribute to Boseman’s legacy as the Black Panther, delivering resonant messages about grief, strength and family. At the same time, the film tells an exciting story that paves a new path forward for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
T’Challa’s legacy
Wakanda Forever handles Chadwick Boseman’s passing — and by extension T’Challa’s — in a careful and thoughtful manner. T’Challa’s absence suffuses the sequel, with nearly every main character affected by it in some way. The story feels both sorrowful and exciting.
As Marvel Studios producer Nate Moore said during an appearance on the Ringer-Verse podcast, T’Challa may not be seen again in the MCU. However, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever serves as the perfect send-off for the character and for Boseman.
The new Black Panther
In T’Challa’s absence, his sister Shuri (Letitia Wright), steps in to take his place as the protector of her nation. But she doesn’t do it immediately. Wakanda Forever delves deep into her grief; she has to have an internal battle before she’s ready to take up her brother’s mantle. When Shuri finally presents herself as the new Black Panther to M’Baku and the Wakandan leaders, it’s a huge payoff.
Shuri is, undoubtedly, the protagonist of the film. Wright makes her not only a charismatic lead, but also one of the most engaging heroes in the MCU.
Queen Ramonda
Though she was more of a supporting character in 2018’s Black Panther, Angela Bassett’s Queen Ramonda takes center stage in Wakanda Forever. Bassett shows a new side of the queen as she deals with the loss of her son in tandem with the responsibility of ruling one of the most powerful nations in the world.
Bassett has always had a lot of presence as an actor. Here she uses it to make Ramonda an imposing figure. She also shows the character’s vulnerable side, serving as Shuri’s guide as she deals with the loss of her brother. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is Shuri’s movie, but Ramonda leaves a lasting impression.
Namor
After years of anticipation, Namor has officially made his debut in the MCU, played by Tenoch Huerta (Narcos: Mexico, The Forever Purge). Marvel Studios reinvented the character for live-action, establishing him as the leader of the Mesoamerican-inspired civilization of Talokan, instead of Atlantis. Despite the change, the movie retains the antihero’s confrontational and headstrong nature from the comics.
Namor is the film’s main antagonist, but he isn’t entirely a bad guy. There are times when he’s kind and understanding, but Huerta gives him an edge that makes it feel as those he could snap if someone says the wrong thing to him.
Producer Nate Moore told Io9 that Namor and the Talokanil have a future in the MCU. “This isn’t a one-off story with Namor or the world of Talokan,” he said. “Obviously—well, maybe not obviously—they will have a presence moving forward.” If that’s the case, Huerta’s Namor has the potential to become a long-term MCU standout.
The supporting cast
Much like the first film, Wakanda Forever‘s supporting cast is one of its biggest strengths. Characters like Danai Gurira’s Okoye and Winston Duke’s M’Baku add to the movie’s emotional gravitas, but they also offer several moments of levity.
Dominique Thorne’s Riri Williams, aka Ironheart, is another highlight. She’s very charismatic and establishes herself as a complex superhero. Riri is self-aware and sarcastic, but also willing to go above and beyond to help Shuri and the people of Wakanda. The return of Martin Freeman’s Everett Ross is also a welcome addition.
Namor’s close associates — his cousin Namora (Mabel Cadena) and the warrior Attuma (Alex Livinalli) — are also good. However, they don’t really stand out, even if they do provide formidable challenges for the film’s heroes. Hopefully, future movies will explore them more thoroughly.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was long marketed as a labor of love; an effort to honor the legacy of one of the most influential actors in the superhero genre. Now that we’ve seen the movie, we know this to be true; it shows in every scene. Ryan Coogler and Marvel Studios created something special that functions as both a cathartic emotional journey and a groundbreaking chapter for the MCU, introducing new concepts that allowing the franchise to continue to evolve for the future.
Grade: A+
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