Black Panther Wakanda Forever tells the tale of a kingdom that must overcome incredible odds. When King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) passes away from a mysterious illness, his mother, Ramonda (Angela Bassett), assumes power.
Shuri (Letitia Wright), one of her daughters, is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after witnessing her brother’s death. Six months later, Ramonda represents Wakanda at a United Nations convention where many member states condemn the nation for being uncooperative and refusing to share its supply of vibranium.
Ramonda makes it quite plain that the country will not allow any other country to use the valuable metal for destructive purposes. They learn from her that their Wakanda facility was attacked in the process. Meanwhile, the United States has located vibranium in the Atlantic.
A group of researchers with a special machine made by a scientist travel to the location. Suddenly, unknown animals attack the mining vessel and wipe out the whole crew. Namor (Tenoch Huerta), the tribe’s leader, sneaks into Wakanda to meet with Ramonda and Shuri.
For help locating the scientist, Shuri and Okoye (Danai Gurira) fly to the United States, where they enlist the services of CIA operative Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman). In reality, Riri Williams, a 19-year-old student, is the scientist (Dominique Thorne). They both track down Riri and extend an invitation to visit Wakanda.
When Namor kidnaps Shuri and Riri, he transports them to his underwater kingdom of Takolan. Fearing that the “surface people” may return to collect vibranium, which could potentially endanger his realm, Namor makes it obvious that he wants to kill Riri. You’ll have to watch the movie to find out what happens next.
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How is the Script and Direction?
The life of Ryan Coogler makes for riveting reading. The script by Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole has a great balance of these three elements. The pace, however, could be better. Intense emotions are conveyed in the conversations.
The direction from Ryan Coogler is clean. Since Chadwick Boseman had passed away, he faced an enormous challenge. But the way he and his crew worked it into the film’s narrative and did it justice is admirable.
Likewise impressive is the continuation of the Black Panther story after the death of the protagonist who made the film legendary. Considering the gravity of the situation, the film’s tribute to Chadwick is heartfelt and sincere, without feeling contrived or tacked on.
The story’s emotional impact is substantial, and the action is skillfully woven throughout. The underwater sequences add to the film’s appeal and give audiences a break from the typical Marvel fare. Certain scenes, such as the UN conference’s drama and the touching conversation between Ramonda and Shuri before Namor’s heroic entrance, are handled very well. Both the chase and the bridge action scene are unforgettable.
The Takloan scene is the highlight and the whole thing is a visual feast. Both the buildup to the climax and the climactic battle are impressive. The film closes on a heartwarming note.
How Was the Acting of the Cast Members?
Speaking of strong performances, Letitia Wright does a wonderful job in the lead role. Angela Bassett has a significant part and she seems completely at ease in it. Tenoch Huerta excels in his role as the antagonist because he restrains himself. Trust in Danai Gurira is warranted.
As for Dominique Thorne, she does finely enough in her brief appearances. Even in a supporting role, Martin Freeman shines. As Nakia, Lupita Nyong’o (Lupita Nyong’o) is outstanding and makes a significant impact on the movie. Everyone in the cast, including Winston Duke (M’Baku) and Michaela Coel (Aneka), does a good job.
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Did the Music Amplify the Effect?
Music by Ludwig Göransson amplifies the effect. The song “Con La Brisa,” which plays when the underwater kingdom is revealed for the first time, and the song “Alone” are two highlights from the soundtrack. The cinematography by Autumn Durald Arkapaw is breathtaking.
A lot of time and care went into Hannah Beachler’s production design, and it shows. The costumes, especially those worn by Lupita Nyong’o, are fantastic and were designed by Ruth E. Carter.
The violence fits the film’s tone and storyline effectively. VFX is on par with international norms. The editing done by Michael P. Shawver, Kelley Dixon, and Jennifer Lame wasn’t the best it could be. The film could have benefitted from being 15 minutes shorter.
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Reviews Given by Entertainment Weekly
Coogler is lauded for, like he was for the first “Black Panther” film, casting a strong group of skilled women in key roles in the “Wakanda Forever” production. Oscar winners for production design and costuming for the first film, Hannah Beachler and Ruth Carter, return for further acclaim.
“Their shared vision of Afro-futurism feels lush and joyful and beautifully specific set against the usual white noise of Marvel fanfare, even (or almost especially) in darker moments, like the pristine rituals of a funeral scene,” Greenblatt writes. ”‘Wakanda’ is still clearly a Marvel property, with all the for-the-fans story beats and secondary characters its ever-expanding universe requires, but it also feels apart from any one that’s come before.”
Without King T’Challa, Wakanda has become a matriarchy, which is something Greenblatt discusses.
“Without their king, Wakanda has become a queendom from the top down, overseen by Bassett’s regal, ageless Ramonda, the gorgeously daunting Gurira, and Wright, who rises to fill her dramatically expanded role with feline grace and vulnerability,” she wrote.
Although the sequel is likely to be very different from what Coogler and Marvel had planned before Boseman’s death, she says, “the movie they’ve made feels like something unusually elegant and profound at the multiplex; a little bit of forever carved out for the star who left too soon.”
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