WAKANDA FOREVER DELIVERS EVEN WITHOUT CHADWICK BOSEMAN

Tragedy struck in 2020 when actor Chadwick Boseman passed away unexpectedly from cancer. It was unexpected because he was hiding it so well from others in the industry and the media. It wads sudden to the rest of the world even if he had been fighting it on and off for years. Boseman played some iconic roles including Floyd Little in “The Express” and really jumped to the forefront of Hollywood lists when he powerfully played Jackie Robinson in “42”. His quiet anger and powerful expression during that film is why people had high hopes for his career and he got one of the largest roles in the Marvel comic book franchise, T’Challa otherwise known as his superhero name, Black Panther. He first appeared in “Captain America: Civil War” before he had his feature debut in “Black Panther”. The movie was wildly well received world wide and a new star was born with the thought that he would reprise the character for years to come. They even had the next movie name in line called “Wakanda Forever” on Disney+. He was only able to appear in the Avengers movies “Infinity War” and “End Game” before his talent was lost for good. He was so powerful in the role that many people didn’t want the character recast, but even his own family was for it because the character was so inspiring. Where would Disney and Marvel go from there with “Wakanda Forever” if the main character’s actor was gone forever?

They moved forward with the one character that could handle the mantle of the Black Panther, was known to viewers, and was a character that took it over in the comic books: his sister Shuri, played by Letitia Wright. The movie addresses the loss of Boseman right away in a scene as hectic and moving as you will see. I think it had so much feeling because the actors feelings about losing him in real life were very close to the surface. It wasn’t so much acting as it was focusing real emotions into a performance mirroring real life. Angela Bassett was up for a Best Actress in a Supporting Role Oscar for her role as T’Challa’s mother, Queen Romonda. It was well deserved and I thought she would be nominated as the film continued to play in front of me. While I always say you should see big action and fantasy movies in the theaters this is one that if you missed it in theaters carries well to your living room. While the action is big the story itself becomes intimate with the viewer. Even those watching that love the character and Chadwick’s portrayal are mourning along with everyone on screen which can draw you even further into the story. Those that don’t have that connection aren’t left out with a compelling story and a focus on one’s destiny and how to react to a situation. The antagonist in the film is Namor, played by Tenoch Huerta who is the Marvel Universe’s version of the King of Atlantis (like Aquaman for DC fans). Namor is declaring war on the surface world for the littering and destruction to his people’s bio-sphere. He isn’t a villain per se, but more of an anti-hero in that his intentions are generally good, but his actions aren’t the best way to deal with things.

“Wakanda Forever” is a great movie! Not only does it serve as a eulogy to Boseman, but it digs deeper into the bigger universe that Marvel is heading towards. Beyond that it shows that a superhero movie can have depth and feeling and spike emotions other than just euphoria at a cool fight scene or special effects. Some of the twists and turns in the movie and character’s overall development are surprising. They show that a person can choose to become a hero or a villain when the responsibility is thrust upon them. That how one handles tragedy can change their lives. One thing I like about this movie is that the character focus is mainly a female cast without making a big deal about it. Lupita Nyong’o as Nikita and Danai Okoye reprise their roles and bring strength to those they are supporting. Huerta brings the character of Namor to the scene as a man we understand and feel for, but know what he’s doing isn’t exactly right. “Wakanda Forever” hits right in all the emotional spots you expect and don’t. As with every Marvel movie watch to the end credits!