Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a 2022 superhero action film directed by Ryan Coogler, who co-wrote the film with Joe Robert Cole. Based on the Marvel Comics character Black Panther, it is produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It is the sequel to Black Panther (2018), which Coogler also directed in his Marvel debut, and is intended to be the 30th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M'Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje 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 with Nakia and Everett Ross to forge a new path for their beloved kingdom.

The cast includes Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Florence Kasumba, Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Tenoch Huerta, Martin Freeman, and Angela Bassett.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to debut only in theaters on November 11th, courtesy of Marvel Studios.

THE GOOD

Hard to believe we have reached the point where we have a Black Panther movie without Black Panther himself, the late and great Chadwick Boseman. As most of you know by now, the talented actor fought a battle with cancer behind closed doors and left behind a legacy. Gone much too soon, but surely never to be forgotten. Black Panther blew fans away back in 2018, and to say we all latched on to Boseman in this role would be an understatement. When I was blindsided by the news of his death in the summer of 2020, I was devastated. As a movie guy through and through, Boseman was set to be one of the greats. It was undeniable. But I thought surely we couldn’t have another Black Panther movie without him, right? Like most Marvel fans, I was admittedly apprehensive about a Black Panther movie without my guy in the lead role. It just didn’t feel right. So, were my concerns justified or did they find a way to honor Boseman while creating an experience fans could be proud of? Keep reading to find out!

Well, this movie was absolutely amazing. From the opening Marvel title sequence that we all know and love that this time around featured only Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther and complete silence, I knew we were in for a special treat. You could literally hear a pin drop in the theater during what felt like a moment of silence, just amazing. I honestly don’t know where to start, but I have to first touch on the fact that I couldn’t have imagined a film that did a better job of honoring the memory of Boseman. I mean, not only is this already one of my favorite Marvel films which is certainly saying a lot, it just felt like so much more. In some ways I compare it to what the Fast and the Furious franchise did for the late Paul Walker, who was also a pivotal part of their success. More than anything, what Coogler was able to do here felt genuine and real, it felt like it was about Boseman first, and the franchise second, if you can believe that. How they managed to do that while also crafting a film that was an absolute joy to experience is beyond me, but they did it and that is all that matters.

As a fan my concerns were aplenty, like how do you make a Black Panther movie without Black Panther, and more than that if you do decide to try and replace him, how can you possibly do that while still satisfying a fanbase with sky-high expectations? Well first as you know we don’t spoil things here, but I will say that the story was better than I could have hoped. The villain was just perfect and added that much needed element to the film to make sure it packed the punch it needed. Plus, we are treated to a much better overall story than I initially anticipated complete with a few new characters. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is everything a sequel should be and then some, as it picks up where the original film left off while also taking things to another level. I mean seriously, I saw the movie last night and I am still smiling. I went to sleep just trying to relive what I had just experienced, and I cannot wait to see it again. And again, and again. I wish I was kidding, but I did see Black Panther in theaters four times, but this was also before having kids when free time was still a thing. Dare I say I liked Black Panther: Wakanda Forever better?! I honestly feel a bit dirty even saying that, but considering all of the unknowns and having to live up to the original, I am forced to consider the possibility. I will let you know where I land after a few more viewings.

I know we talk about how Marvel changed the game by bringing on Chris Evans or Robert Downey Jr. to join the MCU, but as crazy as it sounds handing the reigns for Black Panther over to director Ryan Coogler fresh off his success from Fruitvale Station and Creed, may have been their best decision to date. This dude is incredibly talented, and his dedication to the Black Panther franchise has been nothing short of amazing. His films are packed with emotion and just a unique blend of cinematic elements that have become his trademark. When you see one of his movies in theaters, you will be changed in some form or fashion because of his ability to create art. If you haven’t seen Fruitvale Station or the first Creed movie, get on that as soon as possible because you will undoubtedly notice a certain style that translates so perfectly to the on-screen experience. Coogler just gets it, and when he decides to hang it up, I dare to say he will leave filmmaking as one of the absolute greats. I just hope that time is many, many years down the road.

As far as the acting is concerned, it was all great of course because the cast is just stacked with talent. Letitia Wright essentially takes the reigns in the lead role and I thought she was amazing. To say that she is an actress making the most of her opportunities would be a drastic understatement. I love my guy Winston Duke, and I couldn’t be happier for him and the fact that his character M’Baku has become such a big part of the success of the Black Panther franchise. He is easily one of my favorite characters in the film. Angela Bassett is amazing as she always is. Martin Freeman continues to be a great addition to the MCU in a fairly unique role bridging the gap between Wakanda and the U.S.. Lupita Nyong’o is fantastic yet again, as well as Danai Gurira, Florence Kasumba, and Michaela Coel. Bottom line, the entire supporting cast was awesome.

I have to bring up the performance from Mexican actor Tenoch Huerta, because if you want to talk about a guy bursting onto the scene and hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the 9th to win game 7 of the World Series, well that is basically what happened here. Huerta plays Namor, otherwise known as the Fish Man, and the films primary antagonist or villain. I don’t read comics, but after doing a little bit of research I am now realizing just how big of a deal his character really is. Known as the Sub-Mariner, he is one of the oldest and most popular characters in Marvel history after his comic debut in 1939, and to say he is a badass would be an understatement. Fans of the comics are in for a real treat, you can thank me later. All I know is Huerta was amazing in this role, and as much as I love me some Jason Mamoa, Namor is exactly what I always hoped Aquaman would become. So if the Amber Heard drama wasn’t enough of a blow to the Aquaman films, a better version of that character is sure to leave quite a dent. Plus we are treated with an unexpected appearance by a certain character from the first film, but I won’t give it away.

On the technical side of things, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever blew me away. Simple as that. The CGI and special effects were incredible and worth every penny, the cinematography was absolutely beautiful, and the soundtrack just hit so damn hard as expected. I really enjoyed all of the edge-of-your seat fight sequences we were treated to throughout the film. Also the scale was just massive from start to finish. Coogler has such an innate ability to immerse viewers and take full advantage of the technical elements of a film as they blend seamlessly with his intimate style of camera work.

One thing that superhero movies need are those exciting moments where you can just feel that something big is about to happen, and I honestly lost count in terms of how many times I had that feeling with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. I feel like a great deal of credit is owed to the films primary antagonists lead by Tenoch Huerta as Namor and how they were used, mainly because you needed something that rivaled just how big and powerful the country of Wakanda is. The film just feels gritty, fun, and intense but also funny when it needed to be, and the technical elements all come together to make for one very satisfying experience.

THE BAD

I’m genuinely struggling to think of any criticisms for the film. I suppose you could say the 2 hour and 45 minute runtime is a problem, but most people prefer that with a massive movie like this, plus the pacing is fantastic and it never feels boring. The underwater CGI felt a little strange at times but I think that may have been by design. I guess if you don’t like over-the-top superhero movies you may have a problem with it, but aside from that I got nothing.

THE VERDICT

A wildly immersive and visually stunning cinematic experience with a phenomenal soundtrack, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is not only an exceptional film and a jaw-dropping sequel, it is a genuine and heartfelt tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman. To be honest I’m still trying to wrap my brain around just how impressed I was by this movie. Everything about it just felt right, and not once did I start to question any decision that was made by Coogler or the rest of the writing team. I just sat back and watched a sequence of events unfold culminating in one of the most invigorating theater experiences I have had in quite some time. I loved the scale and how immersive it was, and at this point I’m just trying to figure out when I can see it again. Also, even though at times it felt like Black Panther meets the new Avatar, I surely wasn’t complaining.

Bottom line, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever feels bigger than a movie, and we owe it to not only ourselves to see it in theaters, we owe it to the memory of Chadwick Boseman that will live on through the pure joy of cinema. Plus as I said, even if none of that matters to you, this movie is just that good. Be sure to stick around for the post-credits scene as well. I’ll leave you with two words that will surely be ringing in your ears as you leave the theater… Wakanda Forever!!