Photo by Kst daniel, CC BY-SA 4.0

By Abby Ezechiels

Don’t worry, this review is spoiler free.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” hit theatres on November 11, 2022, almost four years after the original. In just three weeks, the sequel managed to become the fourth highest-grossing film of the year. 

While the title alone is enough to shed a tear-a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to the death of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman-the movie itself proves to be a battle cry to all: the people of Wakanda don’t back down. 

The film begins with solemn mourning as Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) and Shuri (Letitia Wright) grieve over the loss of their son/brother, setting the mood while saying a righteous farewell to T’challa (Chadwick Boseman). However, a new threat is posed and soon delves into those classic, action-filled scenes that always keep you on the edge of your seat. Wakandans battle to defend their home from this new opponent, Namor (Tenoch Huerta).

In this installment of the MCU, more than ever before, there is a heavy focus on the characters and their personal growth as they learn to accept the passing of T’challa. The film manages to truly encapsulate the feeling of losing a loved one as the cast grieves both on and off camera. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” includes many heavy and dramatic scenes that the audience members can’t help but feel the weight of. 

This alteration in focal point compared to the first movie calls for a change in pace for a couple of characters. From previous features of the sister of T’challa, Shuri, she has been an effective comic relief but evidently earns a greater role in the movement of the film as the responsibilities of protecting her nation are laid upon her shoulders. This, along with the incredibly impactful acting of Basset, whose character has now lost yet another member of her family, creates a dynamic that truly tugs at your heartstrings. 

As time heals all, the journey these characters endure from start to finish helps them to grapple with their mourning and learn who they must be in order to keep Wakanda safe. In a stunning honor of Boseman’s legacy, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is a movie that delivers it all: action, drama, and personal growth. 

WORK CITED:

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Rotten Tomatoes, 2022, http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/black_panther_wakanda_forever.