It has been four years since the astounding release of Black
Panther and in that time, we have finished up an entire MCU multi-phase movie
collection, collectively endured a global pandemic, and lost Chadwick Boseman. With all that in place, Wakanda Forever had a
nearly impossible task of just existing, much less being an entertaining
superhero movie.
There were many who felt that the character of T’Challa was
too important to lose and even with Boseman’s passing, should have been recast
so that he could continue to exist in the movies. I understood that point, but
those who made the movie had an intense familial bond and it would have been
impossible for them to continue their work with a new person in that role. What Ryan Coogler and team have managed to do
is create a beautiful tribute that honors Boseman, and T’Challa, incorporates
that loss into the story, but does not make it the entire story. Again – a nearly impossible task.
The story picks up after the events of Endgame and abruptly begins with Shuri praying to Bast for assistance in saving her brother. She’s the smartest person in the smartest country on the planet but is unable to save him. Heartbreaking for her, and for the audience. The Marvel credits kick in featuring exclusively Chadwick content (get the tissues ready early on this one) and then the movie time jumps to a year later as Queen Ramonda has been reinstated and Wakanda is dealing with the repercussions of T’Challa’s decision to partially open the country and its resources to the world. Now everyone knows about vibranium, and while T’Challa vowed to open outreach centers and scientific connections, everyone else really just wants vibranium. As Ramonda dresses down the UN for their demands, we see a strike team attempting to steal vibranium weapons from an outreach center in Mali – a French strike team (oh, how I love the super strong anti-colonialism not-so-subtle messaging in this movie). The Dora Milaje deposit the team in front of the French representative in the UN and Ramonda reminds everyone that while the Black Panther may be gone, Wakanda is not weak or unable to defend itself.
Meanwhile, an American research team seems to have found some vibranium under the ocean, but is mysteriously attacked while attempting to drill it. Shuri has been working in her lab on various defense tools and Ramonda wants her to come process her grief. While out, they encounter a man who emerges from the water, introduces himself as Namor – and tells them Wakanda’s decision to go public about vibranium has put his underwater people at risk. He then demands they bring him the American scientist who created the vibranium-detecting machine so he can kill them. From that point on, Wakanda has to decide if they agree with and side with Namor and his kingdom Talocan, or if they are on opposing sides of this issue.
There are some incredible fight sequences, amazing music, flawless costumes and set design. The movie is a visual feast and stunningly sumptuous. It is about 30 or 40 minutes too long in my opinion, but that’s a minor complaint. Coogler’s work to repurpose Namor’s comic backstory (the more traditional ancient Greek Atlantis vibes) to a MesoAmerican based Talocan culture is not only wonderful for representations’ sake, but beautiful to see and fits the story perfectly, especially when paired with Wakanda: Two cultures that know the danger of colonialism and the generational pain it can cause to people. The returning cast is spectacular and the new cast is fantastic.
Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, and Florence
Kasumba all return to their Wakandan roles. Even with a cast this big, each get
some amazing moments to shine. Lupita’s war-dog spy Nakia has to go on a rescue
mission, Danai’s Okoye has to chase down the scientist, Winston’s M’Baku has to
provide counsel, and Florence’s Ayo gets to step a little more to the forefront
– fitting, since she was the first Dora Milaje we ever saw, all the way back in
Captain America Civil War.
Angela Basset crushes every single scene she is in as Queen Ramonda. Lots of people are mentioning she should be nominated for all the awards for this, and whether or not that happens, she is a cyclone of power at the center of this piece that makes everyone around her better.
Spoiler alert from here down – I tried to keep it spoiler free, but I have to dip in a little.
Letitia Wright had a nearly impossible task in this movie.
The question of who would be the new Black Panther was not really a question in
my mind because Shuri had already been the Black Panther in the comics. Wright
had a lot of off-screen nonsense happening, but she really put the work in on
screen. She centers this movie and you feel every moment of her grief and
anger. I love how Grief has been the big
bad of the most recent MCU phase because it is so relatable. And when grief gets layered with guilt, the
rage and demand for vengeance or (as she puts it in the movie) retribution that
results is terrifying. She was excellent across the board here.
Michaela Coel enters as Aneka, a Dora who has been Ayo’s partner in the comics and in this movie as well. She was great in what she was given and I am not sure it needed to be more or less, but it did feel forced here and there. Dominque Thorne debuts as RiRi – who will have her own Disney Plus show shortly. She is fun and engaging and the show should be entertaining.
Alex Livinalli as Attuma and Mabel Cadena as Namora were
wonderful and powerful and I really hope we get a Sub-Mariner stand alone where
they really get to shine. Livinalli has some fantastic fight sequences with
Danai Guirira and Cadena gets to question Namor on several of his decisions –
which could lead to the plot of the stand-alone.
Which brings us to Tenoch Huerta Mejia as Namor. Marvel once again proves they hire the right people for the job. The Mexican actor had already been an anti-racism activist for years who understood the importance of representation this movie offered. He joins the ranks of Marvel ‘villains’ or anti-heroes who have points you agree with, even if their methods are a little questionable. In this movie in particular, he is just looking out for his people, even if he has to burn the entire surface world to accomplish that. Huerta gives Namor a gentle and seductive believability that is layered with a truly dangerous brutality. And my goodness, how they managed to make those little wings on his ankles actually useful and cool-looking is beyond me.
Overall, yes, I thought it was too long, and there were a couple of questionable plot moments. I did see it twice opening weekend and I am really glad I did. The first time I had the weight of my expectations on it, and the second time I was able to just let go and watch it. I love it more and more each time I see it. It’s a beautiful tribute to Chadwick Boseman and I think it is the perfect way to continue the character.
9 out of 10, cannot wait for more!
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