“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” a highly anticipated sequel, has garnered significant attention, particularly following the tragic death of Chadwick Boseman. Despite the absence of the late actor, the film retains its core cast, including Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Martin Freeman, and introduces new additions Tenoch Huerta and Dominic Thorne. With a substantial budget of USD 250 million, the question arises: is this sequel worth the investment, especially as it concludes the fourth phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)?
After the aftermath of Thanos, T’Challa, the king of Wakanda, mysteriously falls ill and eventually passes away. Wakanda mourns, and T’Challa’s mother, Ramonda (Bassett), assumes the throne. A year later, Ramonda and Shuri (Letitia Wright) are confronted by a powerful and enigmatic figure named Namor (Huerta). He requests Wakanda’s assistance in locating U.S. scientists developing Vibranium metal detectors on the seabed, as they pose a threat to his tribe. Namor, the king of a mutant race beneath the sea, warns of potential attacks on Wakanda if his request goes unanswered. Shuri and Okoye (Gurira) investigate, leading them to an MIT student in Massachusetts, USA.
The fate of Wakanda without Chadwick Boseman’s iconic portrayal of T’Challa is undoubtedly a challenge. The film acknowledges this difficulty in its script, appreciating the use of existing characters such as the queen, Shuri, Okoye, and the formidable M’Baku (Duke). However, the absence of Boseman’s charisma leaves the script lacking depth, reducing the narrative to a simple focus on revenge and Vibranium.
The plot itself suffers from irregularities and plot holes, particularly concerning the forced conflict with Namor and his tribe. The storyline remains engaging until the Massachusetts segment, after which it falters with Namor’s takeover. Questions arise about the logic of attacking Wakanda when they already obtained the scientist they sought. The lack of consideration for Earth’s formidable defenders like the Avengers or Captain Marvel appears unrealistic and raises concerns about plot consistency.
Contrary to the first film’s rich cultural and traditional nuances, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” seems to lack a coherent and profound narrative. Shuri’s character, in particular, feels underdeveloped for the magnitude of the story, and the action sequences fail to compensate for the overall shortcomings. One highlight is the visually stunning depiction of Wakanda’s city, blending modernity with nature, but the ease with which the city’s defenses are breached remains unexplained.
Despite the film’s impressive visual moments, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” loses its charisma, charm, and narrative depth due to Chadwick Boseman’s irreplaceable absence. Angela Bassett’s outstanding performance serves as a tribute to the late actor, creating a poignant moment. Looking forward, the introduction of Namor and his superior race adds new dimensions to the MCU, but the film’s shortcomings highlight the challenge of moving forward without Boseman. As the MCU expands with a multiverse and numerous new characters, the future seems uncertain, but anticipation remains for what comes next.
