Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - Film Review

Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a film carrying a heavy emotional weight—not only due to the real-life passing of Chadwick Boseman, but also because it portrays the collective grief of losing an inspiring leader and king. The story focuses on the void left by King T’Challa, highlighting how the main characters cope with his loss, especially his sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) and Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett). The grief is not just background; it forms the core narrative, connecting internal and external conflicts in Wakanda, which faces a new existential threat from Namor (Tenoch Huerta) and his people, the aquatic Talokan.

The film presents grief as a complex, individualized process. Shuri, who turns to science to escape her pain, shows internal collapse in quiet, meaningful moments. Queen Ramonda, meanwhile, exemplifies fragile strength; she appears steadfast against political threats, yet we witness her melt in private moments that reflect the depth of her loss. The scene in which she confronts Namor in her palace—refusing to submit with dignity—highlights Angela Bassett’s extraordinary performance, blending emotion and authority.

Namor is portrayed as a nuanced antagonist with understandable, if somewhat underdeveloped, motivations. The underwater and naval battle scenes stand out as the film’s best, combining spectacular visual effects—like the design of the aquatic Talokan city—with dynamic action that reflects Namor’s agility and strength. The confrontation between Namor and Shuri on the aerial bridge exemplifies inventive direction that serves both character and story.

The tribute to Chadwick Boseman permeates the film, from the silent opening scene showing T’Challa’s funeral to symbolic references in dialogue, culminating in the moving final scene that connects past and future. The filmmakers chose not to recast the character, honoring Boseman’s legacy in the Marvel Universe.

Angela Bassett delivers a performance that anchors the film. Her UN speech, blending wisdom and righteous anger, showcases her leadership as a queen balancing maternal warmth with authority. Even in her sudden death—arguably exaggerated—Bassett leaves an unforgettable mark.

However, the rest of the cast does not reach the same level. Letitia Wright, despite her effort, fails to fully convey Shuri’s transformation from a devoted scientist to a conflicted hero. Her moments of rage and grief feel superficial compared to the weight of the events. Even Winston Duke’s M’Baku does not stand out enough, despite his charismatic presence.

The film suffers from overcrowded ideas that are underexplained. For example, T’Challa’s death (alluded to as an unspecified illness) remains vague, weakening the emotional impact. Namor’s storyline also requires expansion; his motives for revenge against the surface world feel rushed, and his relationship with Wakanda is not fully developed, reducing him to a “conventional villain” rather than a layered antagonist that serves the narrative better.

Compared to the first film, which featured a deep ideological conflict between T’Challa and Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), Namor is less impactful. The conflicts lack focus; Wakanda’s political challenges (like global powers attempting to steal vibranium) are treated superficially, while much time is spent introducing new characters like Ironheart (Dominique Thorne), who appears without sufficient development or emotional connection to the main plot.

The film continues to explore themes of identity and isolation versus openness, but with a less fluid rhythm. The Talokan, as a formerly colonized kingdom, provides commentary on resisting imperialism, yet the parallel with Wakanda makes the conflict feel repetitive. The scene in which Namor and his allies destroy a U.S. military facility hints at rejecting Western exploitation of other nations’ resources, but these messages are diluted amid the action.

Wakanda Forever sincerely attempts to honor Chadwick Boseman and set up a new future, but it struggles to balance emotion and action effectively. Despite standout moments, particularly Bassett’s performance, weak character development and underexplained plot points prevent it from reaching the level of the first film. Nevertheless, it remains an important installment for understanding the evolution of the Marvel Universe and serves as a poignant farewell to an unforgettable hero.

Our rating for the film is:

7/10