Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Cert 12A| ★★★★★
In 2018, Ryan Coogler delivered one of the Marvel Comic Universe’s most popular offerings when he brought Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s comic book hero T’Challa/Black Panther to life with Chadwick Boseman in the main role.
Coogler’s film became one of the very first comic book adaptations to feature a predominantly black cast and was set to be the first of a long running franchise for Boseman and his cast mates.
Wakanda Forever 2
A scene from Wakanda Forever
Plans for a sequel however changed when Boseman sadly died of colon cancer two years later, leaving MCU fans heartbroken. With Marvel choosing not to recast Boseman’s role, it fell upon Coogler and co-writer Joe Robert Cole to think of ways of incorporating a brand new storyline. The result is quite simply one of the best MCU incarnations yet.
After the death of T’Challa, the kingdom of Wakanda faces a new danger from an unknown and very powerful adversary. Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett); Shuri (Letitia Wright) and allies fight to protect their nation.
As the Wakandans prepare to embrace their next chapter, Shuri must find strength in grief to lead her people to victory and beyond. But can she defeat the powerful Namor (Tenoch Huerta, brilliant) before it’s too late?
After a series of disappointing outings over the last couple of years — Eternals and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness spring to mind — it is genuinely refreshing to see a new MCU movie which manages effortlessly to stay true to the ethos of the original franchise. Coogler brings us a film which is unafraid of trying out new things, taking the story into new and exciting uncharted territories.
It is above all a film about facing grief head on. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever acts like a fitting tribute to its fallen hero while allowing those who loved him to accept his death with dignity and respect.
The film is elevated by some truly magnificent performances from all, but it is Wright who carries this chapter from start to finish with poise and maturity.
