Wakanda Forever is possibly the most daring movie in the MCU, as it takes a considerable risk in its storyline. Instead of replacing Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa, the film addresses his death and how it has affected his family. This decision sets a melancholic tone throughout the movie, particularly during T'Challa's burial and the country's mourning. As a result, Shuri (Letitia Wright), T'Challa's sister, emerges as his successor. The plot follows her transition from a scientist who feels at ease in the lab to the protector of Wakanda, the Black Panther. Initially, Shuri is not keen on filling her brother's shoes, and Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), her mother, is fully capable of handling the political responsibilities. However, everything changes when the Talokanil arrive.
The Talokanil, also known as Atlantians in the comics, are an ancient race of people who reside underwater. Their covert existence is jeopardized by individuals seeking Vibranium in the ocean depths, causing them to hold a grudge against Wakanda for exposing their own secrecy. Namor, their guardian, leads the Talokanil in thwarting an exploration operation in their territory and targeting the young inventor of a Vibranium detection device underwater. In an effort to safeguard Riri, Shuri and Okoye attempt to bring her to Wakanda, but they are obstructed by Namor and his blue-skinned warriors. As Namor detains them in the submerged city of Talokan, he declares to Shuri that he is willing to go to any lengths, even killing Riri and attacking Wakanda, to protect his people's clandestine status. When Nakia rescues Shuri and Riri, it sets the stage for an inevitable confrontation between the Talokanil and Wakanda.
Wakanda Forever incorporates several storylines, some more captivating than others. The actors' sorrow over Boseman's passing is evident, and the movie does an admirable job of framing the action with reflections on his death. However, the central plotline of two similar races becoming adversaries feels forced, serving as a contrived method to create a climactic battle. It is perplexing why the two groups would not team up to combat the "friendly" nations who covet Vibranium at any cost. Fortunately, the film features compelling performances from returning cast members who are just as delightful to watch as they were in the original movie. The newcomers also make a strong impression, particularly Tenoch Huerta as Namor and Michaela Coel as Aneka. Dominique Thorne's Riri adds a lively dimension to the movie, and her youthful personality provides a refreshing contrast to Wakanda's more traditional characters. The movie boasts exceptional costumes, sets, and special effects, arguably surpassing those of any other MCU film. While the plot is underwhelming, I still recommend Wakanda Forever for its other impressive features.
PLOT SUMMARY
In the beginning, Shuri (Letitia Wright) makes a desperate attempt to cure her brother T’Challa's illness. She is angry that he kept it from her until it was too late, which parallels how few people knew about Chadwick Boseman's battle with colon cancer until after he passed away. Shuri is attempting to recreate the heart-shaped herb that gave T'Challa his Black Panther powers, but she's making little progress. Sadly, T'Challa passes away before Shuri can save him, and her shock and sadness mirror the emotions many of us experienced when we first heard of Boseman's death.
After T'Challa's death, Shuri and Ramonda mourn him in a beautiful and touching ceremony. However, the outside world is unaware of their grief and continues to pursue Vibranium, which leads to a special ops team raiding what appears to be a Wakandan mining operation. Fortunately, Okoye, Ayo, and the Dora Milaje catch the team. Later, at a meeting that resembles a UN council meeting, Ramonda confronts the "friendly" nations that express concern about Wakanda's monopoly on Vibranium. She brings in the special ops team and threatens to reveal their origins unless the other nations back down.
Although the other nations cannot steal Vibranium from Wakanda, they still search for it elsewhere. The CIA utilizes an oceanic machine to detect it, but the team operating the machine is attacked and killed by blue-skinned beings from the sea. Everett Ross, a colonizer, believes Wakanda was responsible for the attack, but Shuri proves him wrong. She learns that the machine's creator is a 19-year-old college student named Riri, and fears that the group responsible for the attack will come for her next. To protect Riri, Shuri and Okoye go to retrieve her and take her to Wakanda. Unfortunately, they are confronted by the same blue-skinned beings who previously attacked the seabed exploratory operation, and are taken hostage along with Riri. Okoye puts up a brave fight but is ultimately unable to prevent their capture.
The Talokanil, blue-skinned descendants from Mexico, fled the mainland over a millennium ago to evade smallpox and enslavement by the Spaniards. They created a Vibranium-based potion that altered their lungs to breathe underwater, allowing them to reside there since then. The potion also gave birth to their protector, Namor (Tenoch Huerta), who, as a mutant, consumed the potion while in the womb. Namor's pointed ears, winged feet, and extended lifespan are a result of this transformation. He's dedicated his life to safeguarding his people's secrecy and will do whatever it takes to achieve this, including killing Riri, a prospect that horrifies Shuri. Namor's solution to his problems usually involves violence, which seems harsh for such a reasonable man. He also warns Shuri of the potential for war if Wakanda stands in his path.
In Haiti, Ramonda implores T’Challa’s spouse Nakia (played by Lupita Nyong’o) to bring Shuri back to Wakanda. During their escape, Nakia wounds a Talokanil, which provokes Namor to retaliate by assaulting Wakanda. The Talokanil, who possess the ability to control water, overwhelm the Wakandan defenses. Ramonda saves Riri from drowning but perishes in the process. Fueled by her grief and anger over losing her brother and mother, Shuri uses T’Challa’s DNA and a bracelet gifted by Namor to recreate the heart-shaped herb. After consuming it, she gains the extraordinary strength of the Black Panther and her spiritual guide turns out to be Killmonger. With the help of M’Baku (portrayed by Winston Duke), Shuri persuades him to join her in seeking retribution against the Talokanil.
As the fight unfolds, Shuri manages to inflict a severe injury on Namor. However, the Talokanil prove to be too formidable for M’Baku's warriors and the Dora Milaje. Just as revenge seems within grasp, Shuri has a vision of Ramonda, who reminds her that revenge is not the Wakandan way. Following their conversation, Shuri and Namor agree to a temporary truce and cease hostilities. Ultimately, Shuri mourns the loss of her family members. Nakia surprises her by introducing T’Challa's son to Shuri.
ANALYSIS
There were several elements of this film that I truly enjoyed. The performances given by both the returning and fresh faces in the cast were ranging from decent to remarkable. However, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss's presence was needless and distracting in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fortunately, her character had only a brief five-minute appearance that did not have any lasting consequences. The costume design and production were equally impressive as those in Black Panther. The special effects were considerably better than those in the previous film, where the CGI seemed low-budget and unconvincing at times. In light of the original movie's tremendous success, Marvel spared no expense to ensure that Wakanda's visual effects were the best they could be. However, my primary concern with Wakanda was its plot.
Unlike my issue with Black Widow, where the plot was ruined by the revelation that the villains (except one) were under "mind control," or Thor: Love and Thunder, where an intriguing storyline was undermined by an overall crudeness, Wakanda's problem is distinct. The central conflict in the story doesn't make sense. The first act establishes an ongoing struggle between Wakanda and other advanced nations over its sovereignty and valuable resource, Vibranium. However, instead of pursuing this conflict to its logical conclusion, the plot completely ignores it and introduces a new and entirely unnecessary conflict between Wakanda and Talokan, which seems arbitrary.
Introducing Namor and his people didn't bother me in the slightest. Most Marvel films, even the ones I enjoy, rarely allow a character to speak without being interrupted or in the midst of action. In this instance, the scene where Namor discloses his identity, origin, and motives to Shuri lasted at least twenty minutes. Although it was a lengthy expository tangent, I appreciated the opportunity to listen to an engaging character converse without being overshadowed by mayhem and destruction. Huerta is a talented actor, and I have no complaints when a movie grants a gifted performer the room (and time) to perform. However, I disliked how the film compelled Namor and Shuri into a conflict that could have been avoided.
Although I understood Namor's desire to protect his people from the surface world, I found it difficult to comprehend his willingness to kill an innocent person to achieve his goal. His rationale was so simplistic that even Shuri called him out on it, deeming his behavior ridiculous. Unfortunately, this choice was made purely for the sake of the plot. The filmmakers seemed to have deemed a story revolving around international intrigue and espionage insufficient to sustain the movie, opting instead to pit two secretive nations against each other. This decision defies logic, as the two nations have much in common and no valid reason to be antagonistic towards each other. They both despise colonizers, so cooperation would be the logical choice. The movie tries to justify this by portraying Namor as an absolutist, but his narrow-mindedness only leads to direct conflict with the only other country above water that would wholeheartedly support his cause.
In typical idiot plot fashion, both Namor and Shuri make foolish decisions that lead to a final confrontation between their nations. Firstly, Namor attacks Wakanda, resulting in the death of Queen Ramonda. Then, Shuri seeks revenge and leads her people into a nearly disastrous battle. M'Baku seems to attempt to dissuade her from her course of action, but for some unknown reason, he holds back. It is unclear why he chose that moment to remain silent, other than the fact that if he had convinced her to abandon her plan, there would have been no climactic ending to the movie. Fortunately, Queen Ramonda's intervention prevents the conflict from escalating further, reminding Shuri of Wakanda's peaceful nature and leading to a truce.
Wakanda's decision to engage in a conflict with Talokan was unjustified. The movie could have still introduced Namor and his people without making them enemies. It would have been intriguing to see these two nations collaborate instead of fighting. The needless battle only resulted in many casualties, leading to an inevitable truce.
The fact that the entire movie hinges on a contrived plot that relies on the characters making idiotic decisions is incredibly frustrating to me. However, the film manages to remain entertaining thanks to the skilled work of the cast and crew. While this is a common issue in superhero movies, I had hoped for more substance given the movie's poignant tributes to Boseman. The original film may not have been flawless, but it delved into serious issues that this sequel largely overlooks, choosing instead to pit two countries against each other while ignoring their common enemies.
I understand that superhero movies aren't meant to be scrutinized for logic, but Wakanda falls short even in this regard. The idea that Riri could protect her machine design by burning sketches is laughable, especially considering she's funded by the CIA and her drawings are in plain view. Additionally, in 2022, is it even possible to design any functional equipment without using a computer? My wife pointed this out, and I agree. Furthermore, I'm still trying to wrap my head around how Shuri is able to synthesize biological material and print it with a 3D printer. And let's not forget about Namor's ankle wings that allow him to fly at incredible speeds and make quick turns, or the Talokans' ability to manufacture weapons underwater. I know accepting the fantastical nature of superhero movies is part of the fun, but I can't help but point out these inconsistencies.
As previously mentioned, there were many aspects of Wakanda that I found enjoyable, and I'll start with the performances. All of the returning cast members were excellent, with Angela Bassett leading the way with her powerful portrayal of Queen Ramonda. Her performance was so impressive that it was frustrating to see her character reduced to a mere plot device to motivate Shuri to become a protector. Did her character really need to die for this to happen? Nevertheless, Bassett's emotional intensity grounded the first half of the film, and her absence was deeply felt after her character's death.
Letitia Wright’s performance as Shuri was absolutely stunning. While her acting in the first movie and Avengers: Infinity War was commendable, she wasn't given the opportunity to showcase her full potential until this film. In Wakanda, Shuri's character is much more than just witty remarks. Wright's performance brings a raw and powerful emotional depth to her character's arc, making her transformation from a timid lab scientist to a vengeful superhero feel authentic and compelling. It must have been a daunting task to take on the lead role in the movie after Boseman's tragic passing, but Wright rises to the challenge, displaying a level of dedication and acting prowess that truly shines on screen.
The supporting cast of Wakanda also deserves praise for their memorable performances, particularly Danai Gurira as Okoye and Winston Duke as M’Baku. Director Ryan Coogler's efforts in the first movie to flesh out these characters pays off tremendously in this film, as they are given the chance to showcase different aspects of their personalities. Unlike some Marvel movies that try to balance humor and gravitas, Gurira and Duke's performances feel more organic and effortless. When they deliver comedic moments, it feels completely in tune with their characters.
Lupita Nyong’o’s character Nakia has a smaller role in the action compared to the first movie, as she is now the wife of the late king. However, she remains a captivating and empathetic presence throughout the film. In the credit scene, she delivers a poignant moment when she introduces T’Challa’s son, providing a satisfying conclusion to the story. These moments of triumph are important for Marvel to include more often.
The new additions to the story also make a strong impression. Dominique Thorne's portrayal of Riri brings youthful American energy to the film, while Michaela Coel's Aneka is a striking figure who commands attention like Grace Jones in her prime. She complements Okoye so well that it's no surprise they end up together by the end. Tenoch Huerta's performance as Namor exudes strength, confidence, and intelligence, but I was disappointed by the choices the movie made regarding his motivations. Turning him into a one-dimensional villain feels like a significant missed opportunity.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s portrayal of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is one of the negative aspects of the film. Although I enjoy JLD as an actor, her character seems entirely unnecessary, just as she was in Captain America and the Winter Soldier. The issue may lie in the incongruity of having such a prominent actor play a throwaway character. While I don't fault her for receiving a paycheck for minimal effort, the role could have been performed by someone else and achieved the same effect. Similarly, while I appreciate Martin Freeman, Everett Ross's character does as little as Valentina in this film and could have been omitted altogether.
Similar to the first movie, Ryan Coogler infuses Wakanda with a unique vibe that stands out from other Marvel movies. He prioritizes character development by allowing them to simply exist and explore their identities. This inquisitiveness about the characters' personal lives is refreshing compared to the constant plot progression present in other Marvel films. While there is still plenty of action and special effects, it never overpowers the film until the last act. However, my major complaint with Black Panther remains: the final act always seems to come down to two superheroes fighting while their respective followers engage in an all-out brawl. Perhaps someday, Marvel will allow Coogler to make a movie that breaks away from this formula.
Wakanda boasts some of the most visually stunning scenes ever seen in a Marvel movie. The sets and special effects have an unparalleled brightness and clarity that sets it apart from the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The production team paid close attention to detail, with small but notable touches like the DNA strand in Shuri’s lab, where each little globe changes color according to the formula’s progress. The Talokan’s surface masks filled with running water are also a nice touch. The underwater scenes were a risk, with their dark and murky quality, but it paid off in a way that sets Wakanda apart from other superhero movies, like Aquaman.
Similar to its predecessor, Wakanda boasts exceptional costumes and production design. The unique visual style of both Black Panther films distinguishes them from any other Marvel movie, making them visually stunning. Though the quality of Phase Four MCU movies varies, it's clear Marvel is exploring diverse visual stylings with each new release. While none have achieved the same level of success as Wakanda, the effort to innovate is commendable.