Chadwick Boseman’s death in 2020 due to cancer left his fans and the fans of Black Panther in shock. The future of the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe seemed bleak. But Black Panther: Wakanda Forever proves to be everything you can expect in a sequel and much more.
I haven’t said this about an MCU Film or Series in a long time, but as far as Phase Four of the MCU is concerned, this is the best movie thus far. The last time I saw such an emotionally gripping Marvel film was Endgame in 2019. Since then, the movies have been extremely heavy on comedy.
The demise and absence T’Challa drive the storyline. The film is about coping with loss and grief and gives the fans a chance to mourn, making the perfect tribute to Boseman. The film opens with Shuri in her lab trying to find a cure for T’Challa, who is on his deathbed. It makes the movie relatable, where even though Wakanda is one of the most advanced countries, they also don’t have a solution for everything.
While grief and loss are at the heart of the film, there is also a message of hope. In many ways, this Black Panther sequel subtly reflects the real-world scenario where many people have lost their loved ones in the past couple of years due to various reasons. The movie gives a message of unity, in difficult times. How the women of Wakanda take charge in the absence of a male superhero is very inspiring, especially when the world is emphasising the need for gender equality.
Overall, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a beautiful piece of storytelling that blends real-world instances and fiction very well. Above all, the film offers closure and a way ahead not just for the franchise, but everyone out there.