STARRING: LETITIA WRIGHT, ANGELA BASSET, LUPITA NYONG’O, TENOCH HUERTA
DIRECTED BY: RYAN COOGLER
RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 11, 2022
As one of the most highly anticipated films of 2022, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, was finally released to theatres around the United States on November 11th. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Director Ryan Coogler alongside Joe Robert Cole, co-writer, create the sequel to the 2018 film Black Panther. Coogler has previously directed all 3 of the Creed movies, the first Black Panther, and Space Jam: A New Legacy. Throughout this 161-minute screenplay, you’ll see stars such as Letitia Wright, Angela Basset, Lupita Nyong’o, Michael B. Jordan, and Tenoch Huerta bring a stellar performance of action and tear-jerking emotions. In just two days, the money the film has made so far, $330 million, has surpassed the $250 million budget.
In the wake of King T’Challa’s (Chadwick Boseman) death, his younger sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) and their mother Queen Ramonda (Angela Basset) mourn the loss of their king as well as Wakanda’s protector, the Black Panther. Without their protector and the pressure and threats of world nations who are after their Vibranium, Wakanda still stands as strong as ever, that is until a new nation reveals itself, changing everything that the Wakandans knew from history to the birth of Vibranium. With the help of Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman), and the leaders of Wakanda, Shuri must protect her home and the future of Wakanda against this new foe.
There is no other way to describe this film other than the perfect balance of action, drama, and emotion and it lived up to the hype that came from its predecessor. In remembrance of the exceptional actor Chadwick Boseman, the film honors him in more ways than one. With the loss of King T’Challa, it is up to the female figures who were in his life to keep Wakanda thriving. Queen Ramonda, Nakia, General Okoye (Danai Gurira), Warrior Ayo (Florence Kasumba) and Princess Shuri showcase female empowerment at its finest. The strength of General Okoye along with her army of female warriors is inspiring. To add on, Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), an MIT student responsible for the creation of a Vibranium detecting machine, showcases her intelligence and serves as a useful engineer and hero to Wakanda. Yet, there are other elements of this film that are just as inspiring as this display of girl power. It is the culture of Wakanda that shines light on its African roots and the culture of Talokan, the underwater nation, that is linked to Mayan ancestry. The power of both nations, whose people are considered to be minorities in today’s society, is liberating for viewers. It draws a sense of pride for one’s cultural roots.
As we follow Shuri, the Princess of Wakanda, through her journey of loss, grief, and adversity, her determination and character shines brighter than ever before. Throughout all that Princess Shuri faces, she never forgets who she is. Although she is one of the brightest minds in the movie and chooses science over the beliefs of her ancestors, she listens to her heart. After all that she goes through, it is hard to listen to one’s heart, yet she does it remarkably. Wright embodies her character as well as her values and traits that can cause for this to be one of her strongest performances yet. She had big shoes to fill after the death of Chadwick Boseman and she did exceptional. The movie, in its entirety, was nothing short of perfection.
