Overview
Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is the month of November’s biggest box office opening and most popular movie to date. Amassing over $310 million worldwide in its opening weekend.
The saga continues as the Country of Wakanda struggles with the loss of its protector and King T’challa due to an undisclosed illness. This powerful African country is now vulnerable as other world leaders plot to destabilize it. This shows to be a big part of the movie. Audiences can feel the absence of the late Chadwick Boseman but realize his presence at the same time. The second effort to bring the Black Panther to life exceeded expectations.
The entire cinematic experience is an homage to Boseman and the legacy he’s laid out for the character. Boseman is missed beyond measure as many continue to grieve his passing. The movie has incredible pacing, leaving no plotholes, and grants enough screentime for every character to shine.
Story
In addition, the development of the story is well thought out and unconventional. Movie-goers learn that Wakanda is not the only place to discover vibranium and Atlantean lore is transformed into the lore of Talokan, an underwater civilization of human-marine life hybrids. Though it is similar to Atlantis, Talokan breaks through the mold as a near equal to Wakanda in military forces and technological advancements.
Their leader Namor is the world’s first mutant. Foreshadowing future “X-men” projects and characters opens many doors for marvel execs to explore. Namor has no reserves for the lives of anyone outside of Talokan. The sea dweller proposes an alliance with the Wakandans. Namor welcomes Princess Shuri (Letitia Wright) to Talokan but, Wakanda sees it as kidnapping and sends Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) to rescue her. Nakia kills a Talokan citizen provoking Namors hand.
Furthermore, the two civilizations now have a blood feud and a battle ensues, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) is killed by Namor. Shuri ( Letitia Wright) ascends to the throne and becomes the new Black Panther to avenge her mother’s death and defend her kingdom from war. Shuri defeats Namor. Both nations call a truce becoming allies.
Summary
Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is November’s biggest movie. It has action, story, tributes to Chadwick Boseman, and a twist that leaves audiences in tears. What happens next is up to marvel execs but, so far they have failed to let the fans down. The cast gives exceptional takes on their characters with Angela Bassett’s Queen Ramonda giving the performance of a lifetime.
Finally, I give the movie a 10/10. The movie is a spectacle in IMAX. This film uses a lot of space and fast-paced camera angles that may confuse viewers too close to the screen. Enter the movie with an open mind as many scenes will pull at the heartstrings of movie-goers.
Opinion news by Mikal Eggleston
Sources:
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in IMAX
Featured Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmores’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
