Action/Adventure/Drama | Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures | 161m | Rated: PG-13

Written & Directed By: Ryan Coogler

Starring: Tenoch Huerta, Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong’o, Lake Bell, Florence Kasumba, Martin Freeman, Michaela Coel, Winston Duke, Richard Schiff

Synopsis: Queen Ramonda and others fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.

Since the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman in 2020 the direction of Black Panther and the people of Wakanda have been in question. Should the character be recast? If not, who would take over the mantle? So many questions swirled around what a Black Panther sequel would look like, and Ryan Coogler has finally given us an answer. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is simply put, an event film. A film filled with dramatically endearing moments, that celebrates life, while also exploring the channeling of grief, and it truly is a work of art. Coogler fills this movie with endlessly rich visuals, textures, and colors that make this return to Wakanda filled with all the fantastical splendor and culture that we loved the first time the MCU brought us there.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has a lot of moving pieces. It’s a celebration of Boseman’s life as the Wakandans deal with the loss of their king, and Shuri deals with the loss of a brother. It explores a country trying to find its ground in the wake of a lost leader. It delves much deeper into Shuri’s character arc as well. While also serving as the origin story for a new undersea nation called the Tālocān led by the powerful Namor. All of which are nicely balanced into a storyline that continually moves forward and delivers a buffet of feverish action set-pieces. It’s a refreshing movie that feels like its own film while remaining inside the fabric of the MCU. It doesn’t simply feel like a formula film going through the motions like many of the recent Marvel flicks. It has heart, sincerity, and creative ambitions oozing from the seams. Despite glancing spots where the weight of MCU worldbuilding does show itself.

Namor provides this story with a great menacing villain. Much like Erik Killmonger in the first film you can understand where Namor is coming from. You can understand the logic of his intentions even when disagreeing with his actions, and it’s compelling to see unfold through the fleshed out writing of the characters. This gives Black Panther: Wakanda Forever a thought-provoking plot at the core to cement all the other moving parts.

The performances are fantastic across the board. Wright and Bassett are world class awesome in their roles once again. As are Duke and Nyong’o, with Danai Gurira shining as she gets her role expanded. And Tenoch Huerta who I first saw in Narcos: Mexico was impressive as Namor. Everyone delivers their best in this film and they command the screen throughout the runtime.

Coogler’s direction is immaculate from start-to-finish. There are so many picturesque moments, and it truly is a beautifully crafted movie. The music and scoring give this entire film a pulse and whether it’s the loud spectacle filled sequences, or their quieter moments between the characters, this movie is epic. It’s easily the most emotionally commanding film the MCU has ever delivered, and a bonafide must-see on the big screen.

Grade: 95%

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Anthony J. Digioia II © 2022 SilverScreen Analysis. All Rights Reserved.

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