An overlong, unfocused sequel
Wakanda is in mourning after T’Challa was killed by a virus. Other countries are desperate to steal Wakanda’s Vibranium reserves, and a new threat quickly emerges in the form of Namor.
Ironheart is a scientist who has created a device that can detect Vibranium. Namor wants Wakanda’s help to kill them to protect both their worlds. However, Ironheart knows about the Vibranium and wants to keep it hidden from Wakanda. He tells Shuri and the Queen about the Vibranium and how it can help protect Wakanda, but they don’t believe him. They think he’s just trying to scam them. But when they find out the truth, they are grateful for Namor’s help and let him stay in Wakanda.
Wakanda Forever is a long and drawn-out movie that feels uneven and jumbled. It’s a lighthearted Marvel movie that becomes much more serious after the death of its main character, T’Challa. ..
While the threat to Wakanda and potential world-ending ramifications of Namor’s forces attacking are felt, it’s made that much more messy by the introduction of Riri Williams’ Ironheart. Although she’s nowhere near as insufferable as she is in the comics, her inclusion feels like an odd one and seems to only serve the purpose to get eyeballs on her upcoming series in 2023. In fact, you could easily tweak the story and remove her completely from the narrative, such is her narrative involvement here. And that’s before mentioning a repurposed scene from Iron Man she’s in, whizzing up to the upper-atmosphere only to run out of oxygen and tumble back down to Earth again. It’s almost beat for beat the same! ..
The story is full of inconsistencies and plot holes. For example, Namor’s introduction sees him flying in to see Shuri and the Queen with wings attached to his ankles. However, 5 minutes later, Shuri exclaims “Did you see the wings on his ankles?” This moment of needless dialogue pops up a lot and it becomes tiresome after a while. Additionally, the story does not make clear why Namor is visiting Shuri and the Queen. It seems like he might have some connection to them, but we never learn what that connection is.
The film’s main character, Shuri, is a struggling young woman who begins to process her grief through to a more level-headed and well-rounded person by the end of the film. However, she’s nowhere near commanding enough to amplify her position of power. Late on, she completely over-acts her line to Namor, booming “I am the Black Panther, and I am here for retribution!” In a way that feels like it was taken right from the cringiest parts of drama school.
The best character in this film is Angela Bassett. She is absolutely commanding the screen in every scene she features and makes you feel like she should have been the next Black Panther instead.
The Wakanda Forever film tries to be many things at once, but often it feels like it’s not able to keep up. The middle of the film is bogged down in long monologues and scenes that could have been cut from the movie. The more grandiose and expansive this film becomes, the less impact it has.
It’s frustrating because there is a good movie here somewhere. If the film had centered on Shuri grappling with grief, and finding herself riffing with Bucky (who’s still a prisoner of Wakanda but only referenced as “that white man” once), the film could have allowed the theme of grief to be properly explored in a format that doesn’t require undermining slapstick comedy or a big bombastic action piece at the end. ..
Wakanda Forever is a beautiful movie, but it’s also a bit of a mess. The CGI is good, but the choreography is not. The movie could have been much better if it didn’t rely so heavily on special effects.
Phase Four of the Star Wars project is not going as planned. Many of the potential highlights have been overshadowed by a lack of focus and effort.
The Wakanda Forever ending has been explained by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. The film will end with Black Panther and T’Challa’s wedding, which will be followed by a post-credits scene that will tease the future of the MCU. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has explained the Wakanda Forever ending in detail. The film will end with Black Panther and T’Challa’s wedding, which will be followed by a post-credits scene that will tease the future of the MCU. ..
