By: Kimberly Grant
The wait is finally over! The much anticipated Wakanda Forever is now playing in theaters and I’m sure everyone in this country needs no incentive to see it. However, I know some things you don’t know….
Basic Info
In order for this to be a true K. A. Grant review, I need to acknowledge the writers, director, and cast of the film. Joe Robert Cole wrote the screenplay with director Ryan Coogler, who directed the first Black Panther, as well as Creed II and the upcoming Creed III. The original cast of the film also return for the sequel to the African action film hit.
Letitia Wright returns as Shuri, the princess of Wakanda. Ms. Angela Bassett plays Queen Ramonda. Lupita Nyong’o makes an appearance as Nakia after a noted absence from Avengers: Endgame. Winston Duke is even more lovable than before as M’Baku. Danai Gurira brings her brand of badass to General Okoye. And, Martin Freeman returns as Shuri’s favorite colonizer, Everett Ross.
There are also some welcome newcomers that added tremendous impact to the film. Julia Louis-Dreyfus brings her Veep-style brand of bitchy to Valentina. Trevor Noah is unrecognizable as Griot. Michaela Coel graces us with her presence as Aneka, one of the Dora Milaje. Dominique Thorne is a MIT student and scientist named Riri Williams. Last but not least, there’s Tenoch Huerta Mejia as Namor, an Aztecan king of the sea.
Is it Good?
In my professional opinion, Wakanda Forever is great. But the why is the most important part of this review. If I could give you a taste of what I thought of the movie, I would give it a comparison to this summer’s The Woman King. The Woman King is 2022’s delightfully moving appetizer about the strength, sisterhood, and resilience of women. If The Woman King is the appetizer, then Wakanda Forever is a three-course dinner in which the women bring the strength, resilience, and sisterhood in the face of tragedy.
Coogler is quite a talented director. His signature style of action meets emotion meets African Diaspora pride is in every frame of this film. He makes it as much of a love letter to the late Chadwick Boseman (playing the titular character in the first film) as it is to Africa and the Aztec people. Likewise, Wright’s Shuri steps into her own as a woman with the weight of a legacy on her shoulders (on and off the screen).
Designed to Anticipate, Not Spoil
As a fellow film buff, I will not spoil any key plot points of the film. However, I am writing this review to increase your anticipation of seeing Wakanda Forever. So, I’ll tell you some more really great things about the movie with not much context.
- It passes the Blechdel Test in every frame
- Michael B. Jordan!
- Commentary on weapons of mass destruction
- Commentary on Western nations and their views of African and indigenous nations
- Technology
Alas, there was one thing I did not like about this film: there’s only one end credits scene. Bummer.
You’ll Just Have to See It to Believe It
I had started to lose faith in Marvel after the stench that is Black Adam and how bad it is. And, we won’t mention Shang-Chi. It appears Marvel is regaining its footing when it comes to great movies. Not just because Wakanda Forever is a love letter to Chadwick Boseman and the richness of African and indigenous nations.
Wakanda Forever is also a great action movie that will have you on the edge of your seats. There are so many great things in this film, that I’m ready to purchase another $20 ticket to see it again. It’s the only way to capture all of the various nuances that make this film special. As long as I can get a ticket at the mostly sold-out theater showings.
Interested in my review of The Woman King? You can read my review here.
Don’t forget to send this review to your friends. Remember, sharing is entertainment. See below.
