WARNING! This List Contains Major Spoilers For Black Panther: Wakanda Forever!Tear-inducing, yet incredibly joyful and compelling, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a seminal accomplishment, cementing the end for Phase Four and paving a bright future for Phase Five. Anticipation for the Black Panther sequel was extraordinarily high among fans as they were nervous about how Chadwick Boseman’s absence would impact the film. In the end, it was a truly devoted and touching homage to his legacy and the character of T’Challa.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever saw Shuri step into her late brother’s shadow, nearly succumbing to the rage and grief plaguing her as she is confronted with the MCU’s newest and possibly greatest threat, Namor. From the stunning visuals and pitched performances to the intense narrative exploration of loss and vengeance, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has fans talking about it all. Especially on Twitter, fans are raving about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with both heartfelt celebrations and hilarious reactions.
An Emotional Journey
When the first teaser trailer was finally revealed at San Diego Comic-Con over the summer, fans were given a general understanding of what to expect in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. They knew it would be highly emotional and wrought with passion for Chadwick Boseman’s legacy. However, nothing could really prepare viewers for just how deeply emotional Black Panther: Wakanda Forever would be.
The very first scene is heartbreaking as they show Shuri fighting to save her dying brother to no avail, and throughout the film, it follows as she struggles with the remorse and rage from his loss. From the heartbreaking death of Queen Ramonda and the arresting climactic fight, all the way to the awe-inducing mid-credits scene Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is the definition of an emotional rollercoaster.
Honoring A Legacy
Chadwick Boseman’s tenure in the MCU lasted over only four movies, but his impact on the franchise and fanbase is immeasurable. His passing was utterly devastating for many, and as such, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever must’ve been somewhat therapeutic for the actors, creators, and crew as it allowed them to honor Chadwick.
Chadwick and T’Challa’s absence is felt throughout the film, though not in a truly detracting way. It feels poignant and respectful, making the emotional beats on screen land all the more effectively.
Phase Four Is Done
Phase Four has been a bit of a bumpy ride, but it seems to be ending on a very good note. In addition to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the two most recent endeavors in the MCU, Werewolf by Night and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law have been similarly beloved by the majority of the fanbase. However, overall Phase Four has been subjected to polarizing critiques.
Some believe it has been oversaturated, underdeveloped, and stretched too thin by the sheer abundance of content, while others have celebrated it for the various projects’ unique method for storytelling and expansion of the MCU. Overall, Phase Four has been a collection of stories examining the role of loss and new beginnings in heroism, starting with WandaVision and ending with Black Panther Wakanda Forever. Up next is The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which got some funny reactions to its first trailer.
It’s The Best Of The Best
Many fans are already touting Black Panther: Wakanda Forever as the best Phase Four film and property overall, beating out other high-hitters like Loki and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Some are going even further to honor it among the very best of the MCU as a whole, and even better than Black Panther.
Black Panther is one of the most beloved and highly-respected films in the MCU, so this is incredibly high praise, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is certainly deserving of it. It did what it needed to – establish a world without Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa, while not disregarding him and still pushing the narrative forward.
Shuri, THE Black Panther
The big question heading into the film was who the new Black Panther would be – many had theorized it could be Nakia, Okoye, and/or M’Baku, but, of course, like in the comics, it had to be Shuri. She is the film’s central protagonist and its clear beating heart, proving she is more than ready in fans’ eyes to helm the future of the Black Panther.
Her narrative journey is handled with such care, paralleling T’Challa’s in Captain America: Civil War following their father’s murder. She becomes an agent of rage and revenge as the new Black Panther, shockingly seeing Killmonger in the Astral Plane instead of her mother or brother as she hoped, but she too doesn’t let her vengeance consume her or her people. Letitia Wright’s performance is impeccable from Shuri’s lowest of lows to her highest of highs.
Praise For Namor
The biggest topic of conversation from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is obviously Namor. Like Killmonger, he is among the very best villains in the MCU. His motivations are clear, and his potential is vast. Many are eagerly waiting to know when and where they can expect to see more of Tenoch Huerta’s Namor with many demanding he get his own film.
Namor is one of Marvel’s oldest and most important characters, having debuted in 1939 and being the first mutant. However, he could’ve been handled and translated to the screen so poorly. Thanks to the expert casting and performance by Huerta, and the nuance in crafting his beautifully rendered origins and stakes, they were able to make a fish-man with winged ankles become one of the MCU’s most fascinating and ominous characters. Hopefully, that care and attention will be given to the villains coming in Phase Five and beyond.
The Chemistry Between Shuri And Namor
Despite them fighting to kill each other in the film’s third act and a several-century age difference, some fans saw the spark of something between Shuri and Namor. There is a strong and energizing chemistry between the two characters during their conversation in Talokan. They and their stories are quite similar, but it would never work.
For one, Namor murdered Shuri’s mother, so no matter what alliance they might’ve forged, she will never come to trust or respect him likely. Furthermore, Namor does have some true love interests in the comics like Lady Dorma, Marrina Smallwood, and unrequitedly, Susan Storm aka Invisible Woman.
What A Showing
Black Panther was the first Marvel movie to be nominated for an Academy Award, and some believe Black Panther: Wakanda Forever could be represented in the next Oscars too, specifically for Angela Bassett’s outstanding performance as Queen Ramonda. Though she has passed on from the MCU, she deserves her laurels on her way out.
From the way she chewed and delivered each word in her lines and her physical aura, it’s practically impossible to look away from Queen Ramonda when she’s on-screen.
Talokan
Just as Black Panther was a sentimental and important moment for Black people and culture around the world, so too can Black Panther: Wakanda Forever be for Latinos and people of Mesoamerican descent. There is a beautiful appreciation for the ancient cultures ingrained in developing Talokan – Atlantis in the comics.
Namor and Talokan join the likes of Gael García Bernal in Werewolf by Night, Xochitl Gomez in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Oscar Isaac in Moon Knight in the push for compelling and accurate representation in the MCU, just this year and hopefully, more on the horizon.
Don’t Mess With Okoye
While Black Panther: Wakanda Forever followed the classic MCU formula, culminating in a big climactic fight between Wakanda and Talokan. However, the real shining action sequence comes earlier between Okoye and Attuma when he attacks her, Shuri, and Riri as they flee from the CIA. It was an unexpectedly great showing of both characters. Specifically, the move when he crashes her into the spear and dislocates her shoulder was shocking.
There was a palpable and genuine fear for Okoye’s life. However, her story is not done, as she is forging a new life for herself as a Midnight Angel. Presumably, she’ll be a central focus for the Wakandan Disney+ show currently in development along with Ayo, Aneka, and the Dora Milaje – though Nakia and/or M’Baku are good prospects too. Hopefully, it could also incorporate some new Wakandans like Tetu or Queen Divine Justice.
Please Welcome Ironheart
As for a confirmed Disney+ show, there is Ironheart to look forward to. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was a fun introduction to Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams, one of the smartest minds in the MCU now, and the newest armored hero. She was often a source of levity in the serious tale.
Thankfully, the wait for Ironheart won’t be as long as it’s slated for earlier in Phase Five. She’ll be getting some new armor – since she had to leave her suit in Wakanda – and she’ll be facing someone quite different from Talokans as Anthony Ramos is playing the Hood, a mystical crime boss. It’s fun to think about who else might show up in Ironheart, whether returning or new, like Okoye or Amadeus Cho.
That Mid-Credits Scene
As Shuri finally burned her funeral garb, honoring her brother’s passing, and the screen turned to black, fans weren’t expecting to be hit with another emotional beat in the mid-credits stinger. Usually, they’re brief and directly tease an upcoming film, or they’re rather goofy and narratively pointless. However, this might be the best there’s been since The Avengers’ and the debut of Thanos.
Many were expecting Doctor Doom to be revealed as the grand mastermind behind the search for Vibranium, but instead, it revealed why Nakia was away from Wakanda for all those years. She was raising her and T’Challa’s son, Toussaint aka T’Challa II. It’s a moment of pure hope and joy in the sad film.
