In 2018, Black Panther breathed new life into the Marvel/Avengers franchise, with Chadwick Boseman delivering a stunning performance as Wakandan king T’Challa. Boseman sadly died just two years later, and this sequel to Black Panther serves not just as a continuation of technologically advanced nation Wakanda’s story but also a depiction of grief, love and the need for peace that serves as a memorial to both the actor and his character.
The story begins with an unseen T’Challa dying from an illness and his sister Shuri, desperately trying but failing to save him. A year later, Wakanda is under pressure to share their unique element vibranium with the world, and come under suspicion when a US underwater expedition to find a new source of it comes under attack. However, it is not the Wakandans who are behind the attack, but a group of blue-skinnned creatures who live under water and are led by Namor (Huerta). He wants the US scientist responsible for the vibranium-detecting machine to be delivered to him, or he will attack Wakanda.
As with the first movie, director Ryan Coogler fills the screen with the intricate, stunning world that is Wakanda, and spends time developing the stories of those who populate it, especially Shuri (Wright), Queen Ramonda (Bassett) and Nakia (Nyong’o). However, he also spends a lot of time on Namor and his people, which slows the proceedings down, especially during a lengthy scene when Shuri travels down to his underwater world and things all go a bit Avatar (and not in a good way).
Back on the surface, things are much more interesting, as fan favourites from Black Panther pop up alongside new characters, and those that were supporting performers, such as Wright, step up in Boseman’s absence in a way that feels entirely natural and meant to be. While Huerta isn’t quite the screen presence needed to match the awe-inspiring worlds Coogler and his team have created, his character is nonetheless an unusual one (complete with winged ankles) in a movie that is filled with fresh moments and performances.
Is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever suitable for kids? Here are our parents’ notes...
The movie is a 12A and is aimed at older kids and adults. There are some fight sequences, and those who are squeamish may not be too keen on a scene when a character removes a spear that has impaled them.
More Movies4Kids
If you like this, why not try: