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Two years ago, when Chadwick Boseman unexpectedly passed away, he left behind a collection of remarkable performances—as well as a popular Marvel hero who still had a whole lot of stories left to tell. And Black Panther: Wakanda Forever sets out to continue the work that he started in his previous films.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever begins as the people of Wakanda are mourning the loss of their beloved king, T’Challa. His mother, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), takes over the throne—and as she and Princess Shuri (Letitia Wright) struggle to move on in spite of their grief, the world fights for control of Wakanda’s all-powerful vibranium. And when some of the mineral is detected in the Atlantic Ocean, it reveals an underwater kingdom ruled by powerful god/king Namor (Tenoch Huerta), who’s determined to keep his people’s existence a secret, no matter what that takes.
Without Wakanda’s beloved king, it’s up to the nation’s strong, powerful women to fill the void—and it’s no surprise that they do so with grace and style. These women are true heroes—fierce but nurturing, setting aside their own grief and fears to protect the nation they love. They’re smart and thoughtful and relentless in the fight for their people—and they’re given so much more depth than any other female characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Queen Ramonda relies on the guidance of those who’ve gone before her in ruling her people, while Shuri struggles to balance her faith in her own technological discoveries with the traditions that she’s often scorned. Both try to do the right thing for their people, though their hearts are filled with pain and grief—and sometimes even anger. And that brings some powerful emotions to their story.
Continuing the franchise without its star was definitely a challenge—one that made fans very nervous. But director Ryan Coogler and his cast were clearly up to the task. At times, the film struggles to maintain its focus without its late star, but his spirit lives on—and his presence is felt in nearly every scene. Like its predecessor, the Black Panther sequel has a grand, majestic feel to it. It offers the same captivating blend of tribal and tech—as well as layered characters who wrestle with strong emotions and tough decisions. It definitely isn’t the same without Chadwick Boseman, but the women of Wakanda have shown that they’re more than capable of carrying on his legacy.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is an emotional film—complete with all of the depth and grandeur that made the original film arguably one of Marvel’s best. It takes its time to mourn its star, but it’s clear that the nation of Wakanda will continue to move forward in strength and power.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever arrives in theaters on November 11, 2022.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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