By Nkatha Wainaina
(nkathawainaina@gmail.com)
I was very excited for this movie, but also equally worried. Worried of the emotions it would bring (I am a very emotional person. Even to movies). I was worried about how they would play out Chadwick Boseman’s (The Black Panther) death. I was worried they would not live up to the ridiculously high standards set by the first movie. Two hours and forty minutes later, I can sit here with credence, and tell you my dear reader, it was amazing!
Wakanda Forever is the second movie in the Black Panther series and a part of a larger franchise in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It is written and directed by Ryan Coogler, who also directed the first movie, produced by Kevin Feige and Nate Moore. This lot is deserving of a great deal of credit. In Coogler’s words, the show had to be ‘reshaped’ after the death of Chadwick. I have mentioned his death a few times so far. It’s needless to say the movie revolved around it as well. For the fragile hearts, get your box of tissues ready. This is going to be an emotional journey.
After the death of King T’Challa, his mother, Queen Ramoda takes over as head of state. American and European governments are in search of Vibranium, as the Wakandans are very protective of their supply. With the help of a genius teenage girl, Ironheart, they find Vibranium deep in uncharted parts of the sea, consequently angering Namor, kind of a god of the sea. Namor tells Shuri and the Queen to bring him the girl that made the device or he would wage war on the entire world.
Shuri struggles dealing with her brother’s death. After Namor kills her mother, she is tipped off the edge. She’s consumed by rage and vengeance as she becomes the new Black Panther. We watch her embrace the pain and rise above it, as well as defend her country.
I may have made this sound like a tear jerking, heart throbbing movie, and it is, but what I love about Marvel, nothing is ever too serious. There were light moments. Happy moments. Impeccable writing that makes you forget the silent intro at the beginning. And finally giving a notable villain.
The actors were simply phenomenal! Leticia Wright was a brilliant lead, whose pain was tangible. Angela Bassett gave an earth shattering performance. Danai Gurira (Okoye), Winston Duke as M’baku, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyong’o, all collectively played an important role in making this movie the best way to end the year.
Hype aside, watch this masterpiece. There are a few pleasant surprises here and there. But my advice would be to expect nothing to not get disappointed.