Following the sad passing of lead actor Chadwick Boseman, this sequel to 2018’s record breaking Black Panther was put on hold, as writer / director Ryan Coogler and Marvel studios rewrote the script, and planned for the future of their franchise without its star.
Making the admirable decision not to recast the role of T’Challa, Coogler’s script mirrors real life and turns its attention to his sister Shuri and the kingdom of Wakanda as they come to terms with the death of their king.
Beginning with a brief prologue, the film then jumps forward a year to find Shuri (Letitia Wright) consumed by grief and rage, as despite her brilliance and the technological prowess of Wakanda, she was unable to save the life of her beloved brother.
Comforted by her mother Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) the pair are then confronted by Tenoch Huerta’s Namor, a mysterious interloper from the sea, who brings with him a threatening ultimatum for Wakanda.
Delivering a worthy follow-up to such a culturally significant blockbuster, whilst honouring Boseman’s legacy at the same time, is a daunting task, but Coogler copes admirably with the difficult hand he’s dealt.
The film is overlong, and there is a bit too much weightless CGI, but the good out weighs the bad. Ludwig Göransson sets the tone, with a thumping tribal score full of African chanting vocals, whilst the films eye catching costume design makes for a vivid big screen spectacle.
The cast is full of award winning actors, giving Coogler an embarrassment of riches to work with. Angela Bassett is sensational as the grieving Queen Ramonda and features in the films most memorable moments, as does Winston Duke who’s Jabari tribe leader M’baku, steals every scene he appears in. Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o however, isn’t given the same weighty material and finds it difficult to shine with her limited role. The Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira returns as General Okoye, leader of Wakanda’s formidable Dora Milaje, and her part is significantly expanded this time around, even if her arc feels somewhat unfinished at the films conclusion.
As with any Marvel film, there are threads which are solely there to set up future projects, and such is the case with Martin Freeman and Dominique Thorne, who’s roles feel largely superfluous to the main storyline. Although much more of an ensemble this time, by default the role of lead actor falls to Letitia Wright and much rests on Shuri’s shoulders. Gone is the vibrant girl genius of the 1st film, replaced instead with a brooding young woman, intent on making the world pay for the pain she feels. While she lacks the charisma of Boseman, Wright stands up to the task well, expertly portraying the various stages of grief and standing toe to toe with heavyweight performers like Bassett.
Newcomer Tenoch Muerta is arguably the films MVP as Namor, a fearsome and worthy adversary to the Wakandans and a truly captivating villain on a par with Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger from the 1st film. His underwater city of Talokan draws from Mayan heritage in its design and is beautifully realised in the films fascinating underwater scenes.
Despite not hitting the impossible heights of the original, Wakanda Forever is an elegantly handled tribute to the franchises late star, with a perfectly judged melancholy tone.
While it still delivers on the action and thrills invested fans have come to expect, it’s the moving themes of loss that will stick with you after the film has ended.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Paul Steward
@grittster
13/11/22