Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has divided fans like never before. As a result, what was once the most beloved film franchise property today has become one of the most dissected and divisive properties. Whether the discussion over the comic book film’s oversaturation or the quality of Marvel films and shows, it’s evident that the same love consistently bestowed on the MCU is no longer universal.
As Phase 4 comes to a close, its final entry in the phase was also the one that dealt with the most hardships. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is the follow-up to the incredibly successful Black Panther, a film that landed the MCU its first Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards. However, amid preproduction on the film, Chadwick Boseman tragically passed away after a long battle with colon cancer which made the project’s future uncertain.
Two years later, what may be director Ryan Coogler’s most impressive achievement has arrived. Coogler makes the impossible possible with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. An emotionally powerful and cathartic cinematic journey of loss, grief, and moving forward. Tenoch Huerta, Angela Bassett, and Letitia Wright are the vibranium of the film: magnetic, powerful, and lasting.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever offers an intriguing premise as the leaders of Wakanda, led by the Queen Mother of Wakanda, Ramonda, must fight to protect their nation above ground and underground. As the nation mourns the loss of King T’Challa, U.S. forces are trying to attain vibranium while a new threat arrives from the undersea country of Talokan.
Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole’s screenplay deserves an abundance of praise. Due to the unfortunate passing of Boseman, the duo was tasked with tweaking the script, and they ultimately delivered one rich with themes of loss and how individuals handle said loss. Death and mourning come in different forms and fashion, and the screenplay shows how one’s mourning can be long-lasting while others find ways to move forward.
Wakanda Forever is not just a film about loss but also one that discusses the ideologies of one nation when its leader is no longer here and another attempting to take advantage of the vulnerability of that nation. Lastly, Coogler and Cole touch on the theme of one individual group trying to mine dual cultures for their resources.
2018’s Black Panther took home the SAG Ensemble during its run to the Oscars, and Wakanda Forever’s ensemble cast is no slouch. Academy Award winners Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Danai Gurira, and Dominque Throne offer charismatic and delightful supporting performances. This cast never fails to entice cinephiles to want to return to their world. Many times, a film’s lack of emotional stakes in its supporting characters can plummet a film’s quality, but Wakanda Forever does not suffer that fate.
With an ensemble this electric, there’s no denying that three shined the brightest. There are no words to describe Tenoch Huerta, Angela Bassett, and Letitia Wright other than tour de forces. Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger is often considered one of the MCU’s finest villains, and Tenoch Huerta’s Namor instantly enters the conversation as one of Marvel’s elite antagonists. Huerta oozes charisma while evoking genuine fear and motive in his character.
When it comes to Angela Bassett, it’s not a shock she’s excellent in a film, but every second on-screen feels like an Oscar clip. Bassett’s emotion, heartbreak, and power jump off the screen in one of the best supporting performances the MCU has ever bestowed on cinephiles. In a year where there are many possible contenders in supporting actress, seeing Bassett’s name called on nomination morning would put a smile on my face.
Now Letitia Wright was tasked with leading the film after Boseman’s passing, and Wright delivered one of her best performances to date. Thanks to Wright’s energy and charm, Shuri became an instant hit with fans in 2018. This time around, Wright can balance that with the feeling of loss and the unknown. It’s a nuanced take that audiences will talk about for some time.
To the surprise of no one, Academy Award winners Ruth Carter’s costume design and Ludwig Göransson’s score are both stunning and sensational. While the two respectively won Oscars for their work on the first film, it will not surprise me to see them both nominated once again for their work on the film. One of the glaring tech complaints in 2018 was the film’s visual effects. This time, the visual effects are a visual feast, especially the undersea nation of Talokan.
There’s a cliché that’s often stated, “Save the best for last,” but when it comes to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, that sentiment has never rung truer. The final film in Phase 4 exudes excitement for the future of the MCU. An excitement that, after multiple movies and streaming series’, the MCU can move away from redundancy and still offer cinematic bliss.
