Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

As the last film in the fourth phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) proves that there was no plan for this phase other than to clean up the remains of the Infinity War saga. To its credit, though, Wakanda Forever was burdened with finding an in-universe replacement for the titular Black Panther after the untimely passing of Chadwick Boseman. However, considering how most of Phase 4 was passing the mantle from one hero to the next generation, it fits well within this theming.

There's a line in Avengers: Endgame (2019) where Naka (Lupita Nyong'o) states that Wakanda is aware of an anomaly on the ocean floor near their country and that they were handling it. This throwaway line was likely played for laughs, but it's peculiar how Wakanda was woefully unprepared for the invasion of their land by underwater enemies, even though they clearly knew about it three years ago. Phase 4 of the MCU has highlighted how difficult it is to maintain continuity in a franchise as huge as it has become.

Even though Marvel has introduced new characters in movies outside their own standalone works since the early Phases, I would have liked something more dedicated to introducing Ironheart (Dominique Thorne) considering how influential Iron Man was to the MCU. I also would have appreciated action sequences that weren't so dark or hard to follow, because I can't honestly recall any of them that happened in this movie. Overall, I felt the end of the MCU Phase 4 was average-which aligns with the MCU Phase 4 as a whole. Here's to hoping the next Phase actually goes somewhere.

Phase 4 MCU's average movie to end an average phase, I give Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 3.0 stars out of 5.

Saw this the other night at the movies. The cinema was packed with joyous Marvel fans who have obviously enjoyed the first Black Panther movie. The first 30 minutes into the movie, the audience vibes cooled off noticeably. After 2h41, most people stood up and quickly left the theater, more than half of the crowd not even caring for the end credit scene. Well, that tells you something...

After the screening, our group of four discussed what disappointed the most: was it the dragging narrative (trying to tell too many stories and trying to pleasing too many audiences), the lengthy dialogues (which to me felt like they made up 2/3 of this movie), the rushed/forced action scenes or (what bothered me the most) the absence of the Black Panther for most of the running time. In the end, the movie disappoints on many levels.

Enough has been said by other reviewers about the film's overall weaknesses - it's overlong, meandering and drags in many places. Instead, I want to focus on a question no one else seems to be asking: what is up with these Wakandans?

I was a definite fan of the first movie, but as the sequel progressed, I found myself more and more annoyed (and irritated) by the film's semi-religious Wakandaphilia. Frankly, the constant self-adulation and smug sense of exceptionalism displayed by every Wakandan character really started to grate. After a while, what I'm sure the film-makers see as a message of empowerment starts to sound a lot like fascistic aggrandizement. If this degree of messianic self-love were displayed by characters in any other (real) country, it would be dismissed as overblown nationalism.

Let's not forget, as the film itself points out, Wakanda is a superpower - possibly the most powerful nation on earth, thanks to its stocks of 'vibranium' - so it's difficult to swallow the idea that they are also somehow persecuted victims. Add to this the fact that they jealously try to preserve their monopoly of this most valuable resource, and its associated technology, and its hard not to see Wakanda as just another arrogant and self-interested power.

Indeed, after a while, my sympathies shifted much more to the rival Talocans, who with some justification came to see Wakanda as more of a threat than an ally. Maybe the next movie could be called Talocan Forever, and show their side of the story instead.

I just got out of Black Panther

I found it pretty underwhelming. It's a better put together movie than both Thor: Love & Thunder and Doctor Strange & The Multiverse of Madness, and there is no sense it was butchered in the editing room, like both of those movies. That said I probably had more fun with those two.

The Chadwick Bosman stuff was touching, but I expected more. Disappointed not to see at least, Bucky there. When I heard there was a cameo, I expected it to be someone at the funeral. I DID NOT see that cameo coming. I thought the Marvel logo was a nice touch.

Letitia Wright and Angela Bassett are both good, but I'm not sure where this Oscar nomination talk is coming from. Then again, I didn't think Black Panther should have got a nomination for Best Picture, so she could get one. Winston Duke was a bit wasted as Umkaku, disappointed by what he did at the end

There is no reason for it to be as long as it is. I was bored a few times. I was especially bored during the story between Martin Freeman and Julia Drefuss, it was really weak and unnecessary. Was it just there to put some white people in it? I didn't like the scientist girl, she irritated me and had awful dialogue. Some of the CGI/Green screen work was not the best, too.

I can safely say, with the exception of Spider-Man: No Way Home, nothing from Phase 4 will be rewatched, never mind find its way into my collection.

Overall I found it OK.

There are too many problems with Wakanda Forever.

From slow pacing and momentum-halting scenes, to strange character arcs (or lack of by the end), strange interactions and forgettable dialogue. All in service of developments below the expected scale of this particular sequel.

Still, underneath the film that was delivered, there are a lot of things that can be appreciated and would have made a great story! Makes you wonder what the forced changes (due to unexpected situations) were made to the script! But there are still things to enjoy like the character of Namor, who has a decent introduction and at least some background! Also, Marvel is at least good with visual portrayal of characters.. sadly, he feels underdeveloped as it concludes, like Atlantis itself. Some of the emotional tones and character challenges (if steered in a different direction) could have been given more weight to assist the plot.

At least the music and sound mixing are great, as well as general design of clothing and structures.

Sadly, I found myself disappointed and bored throughout. With forgettable action and set-pieces, constant sequences that take you out of the movie.. specifically those that cause one to constantly question what is happening and why weren't they done differently. Not to mention the dull ending. Can't really recommend it, and the fact that I could complain so much more makes sad. Wait for it on streaming.