Black Panther: Wikanda Forever

Plot:  [imdb]    [photos] Black Panther, also known T'Challa, is dead. His Mom Ramona (Angela Bassett) is Queen now. Turns out that first world nations like the USA and France are pressuring Wikanda for access to their vibraniam -- this is the movie version of imperialism.

Turns out another country, Talon, has vibranium too. They lives underwater and the people are descendants of escaped slaves from Yucatan. Their King is Namor (Tenoch Huerta), and he is a crafty flying superhero. 

After a bit of failed diplomacy, a war brakes out when Wakanda is attacked by Namor. Sister Shari (Letitia Wright) spends a lot of timing doing chemistry (!) and eventually makes a drug that makes her the new Black Panther. 

This leads to a final battle and the end of the movie. Right at the end, we find out that T'Challa has a child -- who probably is going to grow up to be the yet newer Black Panther one or two sequels from now.

And Wikanda & Talon are going to keep the vibranium for themselves. Score one for the anti-imperialists. 

Review: Wakanda Forever is a more thoughtful superhero movie despite the high body count and the big final battle. There is some anti-colonial discourse early, but the main battle was between two emerging countries, who might have been natural allies in real life. Colonial powers sat this battle out. 

I liked the early scenes with Bassett's Queen Ramona and her intensity. I like Wright's Shari because she is the most modern and relatable character in Wikanda. It is her acting that links up the disparate parts of the story.

Huerta's Namor is a thoughtful villain like many of Marvel's villain, and here has as the whole story of colonialism and slavery to be aggrieved about. This makes him an anti-hero more than a villain. It is too bad that it just leads to a mindless battle at the end.  

I credit director Cooler for staging a sea battle as the finale. I like the ambition. It was more conceptual and less visual is other superhero battles, but I liked it because it was creative. 

Cast: Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Guria

Directed by: Ryan Cooler

Written by: Ryan Cooler and Joe Robert Cole

The Music: There are two slow Rihanna songs that were too slow for superhero movie. What has happened to Rihanna -- old age I suppose. I endorse Alone by Burna Boy, and Yibambe! by Ludwig Goransson 

The Visuals: Tons of special effects. The underwater city was not as cool as it could have been. 

Rating: 3.0 stars:  Always interesting. Less superhero spectacle, but interesting characters with high stakes motivation. 

 

More: The original Black Panther was already heavy on female heroes, and with the death of Chadwick Boseman / T'Challa, it is even more female heavy. I am using the phrase inverse Bechdel test for a movie where no two male characters talk to each other, except to talk about a woman. 

Even more: I wonder what Namor & his story would have been if Boseman/T'Challa not died. A love story with Nyong'o? Probably more political. 

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