BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER: A Messy, But Emotional Tribute to The King

It’s been just over two years since Chadwick Boseman‘s passing was announced, shocking the world with the loss of a pop culture icon but, above all, a magnificent actor. Uncertainty over a superhero franchise was the least of concerns in front of mourning such a presence, both on the screen and off of it. A man who dedicated his life to helping in every instance where he could, visiting and donating funds to young cancer patients, as well as being an advocate for education available to everyone.  Boseman’s charm, soul, and intelligence will never be replaced, leaving a legacy that will be relevant for generations to come.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a tribute to that legacy, in a striking story where the loss of King T’Challa and Boseman are grieved while being intertwined. It is not a perfect film, by any means. And before we dive too deep into how this adventure reaches the heart of the viewer with a mourning family, there is a factor in this franchise that must be discussed first.

The Formula is running its course

The only reason why the Wakandan sequel can’t be considered one of the strongest films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the need the movie has for advertising the upcoming slate of the franchise. There are plenty of moments in this story where the characters seem as if they are about to stare straight into the camera and kindly ask you to renew your Disney+ subscription so you can get the full context surrounding certain events (which won’t be spoiled in this review) from the story. This has always been present in any of the twenty-nine (!!!) installments that came before this one, but it was so frequent on this occasion that it was almost jarring.

No one knows how to bring an interconnected universe to life quite like the studio under Kevin Feige’s leadership, so it is safe to assume that audiences are already sold on the concept by now, and the invasive advertising of countless upcoming stories shouldn’t get in the way of the one being currently told. After all, similar issues were what caused a negative reaction from critics and fans towards Jon Favreau‘s Iron Man 2 all the way back in 2010. It certainly is disconcerting to see this problem present in 2022 productions. Of course, an interconnected franchise must link some of its titles, but that doesn’t mean that the world-building should take the spotlight, sometimes even taking it away from the characters.

There are some fascinating reveals surrounding supporting characters, but that entire subplot gave the impression of being cut from a Disney+ series and inserted here. The exposition dump wasn’t bad, in fact, the problem with it is how out of place it is, especially when there are more important matters at hand in regards to Princess Shuri (Letitia Wright), Queen Ramonda (Angela Basset) and Okoye (Danai Gurira). After all, they have faced a threat coming from the depths of the ocean, determined to change the world in accordance with his vision.

Namor Arrives With a Resounding Splash

It is becoming remarkably common in MCU stories to introduce characters who are not transparent villains, but complex antagonists who are easy to root for. Such is the case of Tenoch Huerta‘s Namor, the imposing leader of the Talokans, a new underwater civilization worthy of challenging Wakanda. His motivations, feelings, and reasoning are explained through a series of flashbacks full of both mystery and mysticism. Director and writer Ryan Coogler build an outstanding character, revealing just enough of his backstory to provide context while leaving you with a desire to explore Namor’s background for just a bit longer.

Huerta is superb as the Sub-Mariner, keeping your attention glued to the screen while playing a commanding and unpredictable warrior with centuries of expertise and immense love for his people. The thing about this version of the character is that he is not merely an objective to beat or a mission to accomplish. He is a person with erratic behavior, firm ideals, and enough charisma to fill an ocean (pun absolutely intended). Wakanda has a tendency of being ready for any enemy who would challenge them physically, but they aren’t the best against psychologically-focused attacks.

An Emotional Tribute to Chadwick Boseman

The real-life tragedy surrounding the film gives its emotional moments a different meaning, and a tangible sense of loss is present at the core of the story. The main characters from the Wakandan roster are all dealing with King T’Challa’s depth in their own way. Shuri has resorted to absorbing herself in her work to avoid confronting her feelings regarding her brother’s passing. On the other side, Queen Ramonda grieves one day at a time, making an effort to let go of her son and instead feel empowered by his legacy. A beautiful exploration of grief and what it can do to a family leads the Wakandans to catharsis.

Walking towards acceptance after the mourning period is how Wakanda Forever tugs at your heartstrings, reminding us that while death leaves an irreplaceable void and insufferable loss, it also cements a legacy that can’t be hurt or deprived of the people who were fortunate enough to share moments with those who are no longer with us. Moving on with the loving memories of the departed is also a part of grief, and everything related to these characters’ journey to get to that point is one of the most emotional plots this franchise will ever be able to deliver.

Conclusion: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

While suffering from exhausting connections to the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe (Multiverse, at this point?), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is an emotional tribute to Chadwick Boseman, with an exploration of grief easily capable of reaching the audience’s heart. Angela Basset and Tenoch Huerta portray their characters with fierce and untamable energy, both of them becoming the soul of this project. The shadow of an unforgettable legacy and love found in the middle of grief consolidate a powerful Marvel sequel, while the cast and crew pay their tributes to their good friend.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was released in theaters on November 11th. 

What did you think of the newest MCU addition? Let us know in the comments below!

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