You never can tell when a secret undersea empire will show itself. Africa's most powerful secret utopia contends with such a problem in 2022's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The most solidly written MCU movie of 2022, it's blessedly free of the drunken silliness increasingly turning the franchise into an embarrassing bore. It's better than the first Black Panther as well.
Actor Chadwick Boseman passed away in real life so the movie begins with the Black Panther himself passing away off screen. This means the standout character from the first film, Letitia Wright's Princess Shuri, takes centre stage.
I never would have wished for Boseman's death but, as I said in my review for the first film, I thought his performance was the weakest part of it. Without him, the incredible supporting cast can take the spotlight. In addition to Wright, Angela Bassett, Danai Gurira, and Lupita Nyong'o are all given space to shine.
Once again, Disney didn't have the guts to shoot in Africa and the cgi Wakanda still looks like a computer simulation of Dubai mixed with Coruscant. At least the stars and director went to Lagos for a premiere this time. Even so, this is definitely an American fantasy of Africa.
The best parts of the film have to do with the villain, for once, one of Marvel's oldest characters, Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía). While the first film mostly repeated the plot from the first Thor film, this one feels less plot driven and the best parts are when it focuses on just how creepy and ruthless Namor and his people are.
I thought Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams, Iron Man: The Next Generation, was charming, as much as I don't like the general idea of everyone being slowly replaced by spunky young folks.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is available on Disney+.
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