Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Any more, films based on a comic book or series isn't exclusively a flick that's shown during the summer film season. As with the point of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever", it is released during the end of the year film season where typically Hollywood brings out the more artistically crafted films 'for your consideration' seeing as 12-31-22 is the Oscar deadline for nominated films. Perhaps Marvel has high hopes for this film that reach higher than just the bottom line. 

Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M'Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Guira) and the Dora Milaje, including Ayo (Florence Kasumba) fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T'Challa's death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o) and CIA agent Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Without T'Challa at their side, can they survive the peril that has yet to come?

Others to round out the cast are Tenoch Huerta Mejia as Namor, Dominique Thorne as Riri, Michaela Coel as Aneka, Alex Livinalli as Attuma, Mabel Cadena as Namora, Isaach De Bankole as river tribe elder and Danny Sapani as border tribe elder. 

This was directed with such subtle intensity and tenacity by Ryan Coogler ("Fruitvale Station" '13, "Creed" '15, "Black Panther" '18) plus shorts. Although his experience isn't vast, the quality of Coogler's work is undeniable. He's in that 'club' of directors that when you see any film that they have helmed, the bet is that it will be consummate. The connection he created within these characters were amazing--you felt that they knew one another for their whole lives. If you like Coogler's brand of directing, his "Wrong Answer" has been announced. It was surprising written well by Coogler ("Fruitvale Station" '13, "Creed" '15, "Black Panther" '18, "Creed II" (based on characters) '18), and Joe Robert Cole ("Black Panther" '18, "All Day and a Night" '20) plus TV, based on a story by Coogler. I say surprisingly because typically the 'comic book films' are not known for their quality writing as much as for the visuals, photography, sets, costumes, etc. So much of the time, if the script is well written, it becomes a backdrop for the visuals and CGI involved. The things that I can only point out as constructed criticism is that there were a few places of sequence inconsistencies and it was simply too long. Approximately 15-20 mins could've been shaved off the final print and still would've had the same impact. Coogler didn't write "Creed III", however it was based on a story by Coogler, which is in post production. And, as with other big-budget films, the visual effects predominantly designed by ILM (Industrial, Light & Magic), Cinesite and Digital Domain were stunning and actually enhanced the story. 

I don't think it's a spoiler alert to say that  this franchise will be back since Marvel Studios is the franchise king. I originally felt that they could never pull off a sequel since Chadwick Boseman's demise, but they actually did pull it off. It will be interesting to see how they handle the next sequel. This is worthy of the price of admission if for no other reason than it's so grandiose, that it would be a waste on your TV screen. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3                                       Rated: PG-13                                       161mins.