Wakanda Forever Movie Review
A tribute to Chadwick Boseman and the Future of a People
“Show them who we are.” A statement made by Queen Ramonda to the Council of Nations. Indeed, “Wakanda Forever”, the sequel to “Black Panther,” does show viewers how the fictional nation handles the loss of its king and hero.
Shuri, T’Challa’s younger sister, immerses herself in her technology. Her mother runs the country, fending off greedy nations seeking access to Vibranium, the source of Wakanda’s power. That is until Vibranium is discovered deep within the Atlantic Ocean, getting the attention of a new power.
The nation is called Talokan. Its leader is Namor, a child without love. Namor is the king of Talokan. Born to a human mother empowered by a Vibranium-enriched plant, Namor possesses superhuman strength, the ability to breathe air on land, and underwater, and can fly. He’s a mutant whose abilities have allowed him to live for centuries. Namor also hates humanity.
When Wakanda refuses to join Namor in his quest to attack mankind, they’re attacked by the king and his people. In the ensuing battle, Queen Ramonda dies while saving the life of a teen scientist. This leads Shuri to use her intellect and technology to bring the heart-shaped herb back. Thus, the Black Panther is reborn.
I found the sequel to “Black Panther” to be an honest tribute to Chadwick Boseman. Boseman died from colon cancer in 2020. His passing was a blow to fans everywhere and especially to Marvel’s plans for the Black Panther franchise. Currently, there are no plans to replace Boseman’s character.
What I liked about “Wakanda Forever” was its focus on intelligence and technology as exhibited by Shuri and newcomer, RiRi Williams. Williams is the teen scientist who inadvertently invents the machine that can detect Vibranium. Thus, she is highly prized by the FBI and Namor. One wants to use her knowledge and the other wants to destroy that knowledge.
I was also impressed by the fashion in the movie. As in the original, Ruth Carter is the lead designer for the sequel. And the fashions do not disappoint. Everyone’s outfits were chic, glamorous, and dynamic. From Queen Ramonda’s red beaded gown to Shuri’s all-white attire. I wanted everything that Shuri wore. Her aesthetic matched my own.
I would give Wakanda Forever four out of five stars. While it wasn’t as good as the original, I did like how girls and science saved the day in the movie. The fashion was on point and Wakanda was showcased as the Utopia for Black people. I wish we could create a real Wakanda for the African diaspora. That would be a marvel.
