DIRECTOR: Ryan Coogler
PRODUCERS: Kevin Feige & Nate Moore
WRITERS: Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole
PERFORMERS: Letitia Wright Lupita Nyong'o Danai Gurira Florence Kasumba
Dominique Thorn Martin Freeman Winston Duke Michaela Coel Tenoch Hureta-Mejia
with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Angela Bassett
When Black Panther was released in 2018, the world was taken by storm and pretty soon; the phrase 'Wakanda Forever!' was all over the place. It was the biggest thing in African American culture yet and the first time in a while since a black superhero emerged on screen. The last one to do that was in 1998 with the underrated classic film 'Blade' (which definitely deserves more credit than it got). With Panther, we were brought into a world unlike anything ever seen on screen before, with a story that worked and characters we could root for or against. Now the sequel to the 2018 original is finally here, and the return to Wakanda is rewarding and yet tragic at the same time.
Following the events of the past Marvel films that came and went since 2018's Infinity War, Wakanda Forever carries on the tradition of the Black Panther mantle after the loss of King T' Challa. This time, his sister Shuri (LETITIA WRIGHT) is the main focus and next in line to assume the suit when a new threat emerges. With a bit of a throwback to the DC epic Aquaman, we get a spectacle both underwater and on land. The two worlds scenario shines here as it is seen you have one struggling to carry on and another trying to make themselves known.
If the sequel is known for one thing, it's the theme of carrying on with strength and living up to one's legacy. This is not so easy to do sometimes, especially in this case. Following the loss of Chadwick Boseman's death in 2020, the future of the legendary character seemed really bleak and unknown. No one can replace him, and no one can recreate his performance he brought to us all. There was just no way a new actor could take over his part; regardless throughout the whole there was that missing void and that was Boseman's absence. Everyone seemed like they were just trying to hold things together and they weren't easy. Because of this, from a moviegoer's viewpoint, this was a very difficult film to sit through without getting emotional or even teary-eyed.
The action was so much slowed down and picked up at times, but they were just as amazing when finally commenced. With a few surprises and more, nearly everything about this film was just spectacular! Epic at times, but just what it needed to be: Pure fun and entertainment. Even the themes of revenge, humbleness and reflection are all explored throughout this film. If you want to know what it means to be tempted with desires while trying to do what's right, look what happens here! Well played and well written. Extremely emotional, but very well made... is what this is.
Finally, this follow-up was hard to get through, but at the end of it all the viewing was definitely worth the time. There was not once a dry eye in the room by the time the show started or when it ended. As it went along, you just got on the ride and rode on it until the very end and thought 'that was emotional but thrilling'. If the first Black Panther was a jump start, then Wakanda Forever is the adrenaline rush you longed for. Highly Recommended along with a box of tissues.
MY RATING: 4.5 out of 5
In Loving Memory of
CHADWICK BOSEMAN
Thank You for the memories,
Rest in Power
and
Be at Peace