Review of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, a moving and magnificent ode to Chadwick Boseman and the legacy of Black Panther

Story: Following the passing of King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), Wakanda is seen as attainable by outside forces who are envious of and afraid of its resources (metal Vibranium). Can the kingdom be protected by Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) and her daughter Shuri (Letitia Wright) without the powerful Black Panther, the kingdom’s benevolent ruler?

Review: Chadwick Boseman was revered on screen as Black Panther and was adored both as a person and an actor. His passing from cancer in 2020 left a void in our hearts. At the time, the beginning of a global pandemic added to the psychological trauma and distress. In his second Black Panther film, Ryan Coogler imbues the screen with the sorrow and brokenness he has experienced in real life. Endgame was possibly the last Marvel movie to be this emotionally intense and soul-stirring. The sequel is a spectacular fusion of action and emotion that leaves you breathless and visually riveted. The film is a moving and spectacular tribute to the actor and the legacy of Black Panther, with a special Marvel Studios logo created for Chadwick to set the tone.

Wakanda Forever steers clear of Marvel clichés and tropes, in contrast to the MCU’s current overzealous obsession with comedy. There are, of course, some humorous one-liners, but they do not lessen the seriousness of the situation or the emotional conflict. No substance is sacrificed for commercial viability, and frivolous is never confused with enjoyable. Along with serving up some heart-pounding action scenes, the movie also dares to go deeper. It talks about recovery, harmony, humanity, and conscience. To safeguard and strengthen their kingdom, Queen Ramonda, daughter Shuri, and warrior leader Okoye (Danai Gurira) must keep their grief and personal tragedies hidden. Their courage and boldness are matched by their flaws, and they must find courage in the face of suffering. This story’s central theme is spirituality.

Although there is never a dull moment, the enormous length (2 hours, 44 minutes) can be felt in portions, and an interval is helpful. Make sure you don’t miss the very important post-credit scene, which will make you smile. In their pivotal roles, Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira, and Lupita Nyong’o all make strong impressions. Tenoch Huerta gets to play an unintentionally strong adversary. The soundtrack for the Black Panther films, which features Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up,” continues to be a highlight.

The prose is perceptive and thoughtful. You will cry several times, including when Shuri, who is grieving, is told, “The world has taken too much from you for you to be considered a child.” Let’s get right to the point: Ryan Coogler creates one of the MCU’s best movies in a very long time. Wakanda Continuum!