After “Avengers: Endgame” closes Tony Stark & Steve Rogers’ story arcs in “The Infinity Saga,” Ryan Coogler (Creed) began development of a follow-up to “Black Panther” with Chadwick Boseman reprising his role as T’Challa. Sadly, Chadwick died from colon cancer. His untimely death became a gut-wrenching experience for Ryan and his crew. Chadwick’s friends, colleagues and loved ones attend his funeral paying their respects. Afterwards, Ryan scrapped a script originally for T’Challa carrying the sequel. Wrote new pages with T’Challa’s sister, Shuri taking over his legacy. Struggling to cope with her brother’s loss, she must protect her nation from an underwater king named, Namor.
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” was released in 2022. (same year The Batman came out) It received positive reviews from critics and movie goers alike. Besides good reviews, the sequel made enough revenue at the box office. Angela Bassett won a Golden Globe for “Best Supporting Actress.” However, she didn’t win an Oscar. Jamie Lee Curtis nabbed it for “Everything, Everywhere All at Once.”
The MCU’s been sloppy lately. Only good ones after The Infinity Saga.
- Black Widow
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
- Spider-Man: No Way Home
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
- Moon Knight
- Loki: Season 1-2
- Marvel’s What If?
Anyway, “Deadpool and Wolverine” will be released on July 26th 2024. That’s three days before my b-day. It’s my second highly anticipated film of 2024. I cannot wait to see Hugh Jackman wearing the yellow and blue costume. As of Spring 2024, MCU’s Phase Five related projects currently in development.
- Ironheart
- Daredevil: Born Again
- Thunderbolts
- Captain America: Brave New World
- Agatha
- Marvel Zombies
This review contains no SPOILERS.
Hydrated & Dehydrated Qualities
Hydrated: Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Martin Freeman & Angela Bassett reprise their roles from the first film. They all did an excellent job for their respective performances.
Newcomers to the MCU such as Dominique Thone & Tenoch Huerta both did a decent job for their respective performances as Riri Williams & Namor.
Ryan Coogler did his best to direct the sequel.
Action Sequences showcase Shuri & Namor’s combat skills.
Visual Effects are decent. They don’t look fake.
Character Development involving Shuri. As the film progresses, she overcomes an internal conflict.
One joke made me laugh when somebody calls a character a “bald-headed demon.”
Before the Opening Scene, the Marvel logo features clips of Chadwick. It made a bunch of fans cry.
Namor was heavily changed as a Mayan living underwater as king of Talokan rather than Atlantis. It’s fine for Marvel Studios to give him a new look so people won’t call him a cheap knock-off of Aquaman.
Primary Themes are Loss, Family & Legacy. Each one’s handled carefully.
A familiar face makes a cameo appearance.
Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” is played during the End Credits. Her song pays tribute to Chadwick Boseman.
A Mid-Credits Scene is arguably the best part of the entire movie. It deserves Bonus Points. You probably know what it is.
Not a con. There’s no Post-Credits Scene.
Dehydrated: Pacing can be a drab at times. You’re gonna have to be very patient to see Shuri suit up.
Riri’s Ironheart armor looks a bit odd. Her shoulder pads look like a speaker box about to play Cher’s “Believe.” I don’t think she has big shoulder pads in the comics.
Namor’s men have blue skin Wait a tic, a slow pace sci-fi epic over two hours long involving blue people? Now I’m having flashbacks of the most painfully average film in history, “Avatar.”
The Final Verdict: B-
Unlike T’Challa’s solo film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is average. Not disappointment like Thor: Love and Thunder or a stinker like “Morbius.” Just an average superhero film. I’m happy Marvel Studios pay their respects to Chadwick Boseman’s memory. He was a rising star who wanted to become a positive role model to black kids without playing stereotypical roles. He took a lot of guts to win the crowd as Black Panther. He earned it. A darn shame he never won an Oscar for his portrayal as Levee Green in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Chadwick’s legacy will never be forgotten.
Rest in Peace, Chadwick Boseman. WAKANDA FOREVER!
Nickthemoviecritic.com 