Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has ambitious goals but does not manage to meet them due to its overlong and sometimes unfocused screenplay that often feels very first draft level in craft and trying to have one too many political conversations to streamline linearly. It has its moments, with some very solid dramatic acting work by its performers, but on the whole it is an admirable effort but also a major step down in quality from its predecessor. I personally feel they should have waited on a sequel, and take more time to figure out what to do with the Black Panther and Wakanda as the Marvel Cinematic Universe was progressing post Endgame and after the unfortunate passing of Chadwick Boseman. The loss of T'Challa is seriously felt in this story, and I think most would have been fine with a recast just a few years later, the new actor might not have been on Mr. Boseman's level, but they could have still performed the part well and carry the franchise further. As is, the mantle gets passed, and its executed just okay, but it would have more impact if the story were more focused. Namor is a nice addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and is adapted fine, I would certainly like to see more of him in later installments. Still, you feel that the character probably should have come into the picture a lot earlier on, like in Phase Two or Phase Three at the least.

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.

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.

Sorry, but this was boring. Mind-numbing boring. Sleep-inducing boring. "Are we there,yet?"-boring.

Dang, I liked Mr. Bozeman and they pay some propper respect to his character in the first couple of minutes and it really hits you in the feels but after that we are let known that Wakanda have mastered the technology of exposition dialogue. If that is their main achievement then I say we forget vibranium and let them slink back behind their stealth shield and call it a day.

They could have done so much with this movie and show Africa as a vibrant place full of ideas and hope in the face of many problems. Maybe explore Ubuntu philosophy, or visual art. Unfortunately, Wakandan culture is reduced to a song&dance number for the day-trip tourists in cinema seats.

This was a missed opportunity and almost a missed movie if not for a good double espresso I had before it.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a weak overlong boring slow-paced of a movie, it's NOT A BAD FILM, it's more of like a super mediocre average movie that are going super slow and nothing really exciting happening, it is mostly feels empty, the movie still has it's moments and performances, i think all the performance was great, i like some of the visual and sound, but compare to the first Black Panther not only at first the 2018 Black Panther movie feels like a celebration, this one is a grieving, so much things that are just less than the first one, the music is not as good, the fight scene is not as good, and the visual is not as good, so what do i like again about the movie, Namor i think was a pretty good villain, not the best villain ever but he was still pretty good, all the fight scene was pretty good (except the final battle i can count about only 3 or 4 fight scene for 2 hours and 41 minutes movie and yes that's another flop for me, it's too few for a movie this long), final battle was ok again not making me excited or anything, Riri Williams was alright too, i still expected more from her, and the new Black Panther suit was sweet!, not really buying the blue people, so overall i didn't hate Black Panther: Wakanda Forever like i hate Thor: Love And Thunder, and i didn't leave the theater pissed about it like i did with Thor: Love And Thunder, it is another miss twice in a row for an MCU film, a super flawed movie that feels empty, feels long, and feels bored for the most part, still has it's moments and pros in it, not a bad movie, but definitely a disappointment and still a miss.