Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - Movie Review

Summary

In this review of *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever*, the reviewer praises Ryan Coogler’s direction and the exceptional performances, especially from Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong'o, and Letitia Wright. The film, which explores grief following the death of King T'Challa, touches on profound emotional themes, with characters dealing with loss. While the action sequences and visual effects are stronger than in the first film, the narrative suffers from pacing issues and a lack of intrigue. Despite this, Coogler’s handling of such a challenging project is impressive, making the film worth watching, even if it doesn’t quite surpass its predecessor.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ryan Coogler directs *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever*, a sequel to his successful *Black Panther*, dealing with the aftermath of King T'Challa's death.
• 😀 The film showcases the people of Wakanda fighting to protect their home from external world powers while mourning their lost king.
• 😀 The review highlights the challenges Coogler faced in making the sequel after the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, with T'Challa no longer being part of the story.
• 😀 The film focuses on grief and loss, with characters processing their unexpected loss in ways viewers can relate to, making it emotionally resonant.
• 😀 Angela Bassett’s performance is particularly praised, with a suggestion she might receive an Oscar nomination for her role.
• 😀 Lupita Nyong’o adds significant presence and charisma to the film, especially during her appearances which bring energy to the movie.
• 😀 Letitia Wright, playing Shuri, steps up as the central character and delivers a strong performance with a wide range of emotions.
• 😀 The film’s action sequences and camera work are improved from the first movie, especially with the portrayal of water effects and slow-motion scenes.
• 😀 Despite the technical and emotional strengths, *Wakanda Forever* suffers from narrative issues, leading to a lengthy runtime and some disconnected story elements.
• 😀 Namor, the antagonist, doesn’t have the same depth or intensity as Killmonger from the first film, making him less compelling as a villain.
• 😀 *Wakanda Forever* aims for a slower, more character-driven narrative, which may feel lacking in intrigue, mystery, and suspense compared to other superhero films.
• 😀 While the film deals with mourning and the cultural impact of T'Challa’s loss, it struggles to maintain a balanced pacing, leading to a slightly bloated runtime.

Q & A

What was the primary challenge Ryan Coogler faced while making 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'?

Ryan Coogler faced the challenge of continuing the 'Black Panther' sequel after the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman. He had already completed the script for 'Black Panther 2' when Boseman died, which forced Coogler to rethink the storyline and how to address the absence of T'Challa.

How does 'Wakanda Forever' address the loss of T'Challa?

'Wakanda Forever' mirrors the real-life mourning of Chadwick Boseman by having the characters in the film cope with the unexpected loss of T'Challa. This approach helps the audience relate to the characters' grief and the uncertainty of losing a beloved figure.

Which actor's performance is praised as potentially Oscar-worthy in the review?

Angela Bassett's performance is praised as potentially Oscar-worthy. She is commended for her strong portrayal in the movie, with the reviewer suggesting that she could be nominated for an Academy Award.

What role does Letitia Wright play in 'Wakanda Forever', and how is her performance described?

Letitia Wright plays Shuri in 'Wakanda Forever'. Her performance is described as impressive, as she steps into a leading role and effectively handles a wide range of emotions, from tragic to action-packed moments.

How does the action in 'Wakanda Forever' compare to the first film?

'Wakanda Forever' features improved action sequences, particularly in terms of camera work. The review mentions that Ryan Coogler has done a better job with the action scenes, especially in comparison to the first film, where the final battle received criticism for its visual effects.

What aspect of the movie's visual effects is highlighted as particularly impressive?

The visual effects, particularly the water effects, are highlighted as impressive. The film features slow-motion sequences involving water grenades, which are visually dazzling and showcase strong special effects work.

How is the character Namor depicted in the movie, and what was the reviewer's reaction to his backstory?

Namor is depicted as the film's antagonist, and while his backstory is explored in detail, the reviewer felt that it lacked emotional depth. They didn't fully connect with Namor's pain, unlike the strong emotional resonance felt with the character Killmonger from the first film.

What does the reviewer think of the pacing of 'Wakanda Forever'?

The reviewer feels that the pacing of 'Wakanda Forever' is slower than expected, with certain elements of the narrative dragging the film's runtime. The review suggests that the movie could have been tighter by removing or restructuring some scenes.

What is the primary thematic focus of 'Wakanda Forever' according to the review?

The primary thematic focus of 'Wakanda Forever' is mourning and the emotional struggle of dealing with a tragic loss. The film emphasizes the grief experienced by the people of Wakanda and the challenges they face in understanding why T'Challa was taken from them.

What comparison does the reviewer make between 'Wakanda Forever' and 'The Batman' (2022)?

The reviewer compares 'Wakanda Forever' to 'The Batman' by highlighting that both films focus more on character development and slow-burning storytelling, rather than constant action. While 'Wakanda Forever' lacks intrigue and suspense, it offers deep exploration of grief, much like 'The Batman' uses conversation to build tension and mystery.