“Our ancestors are truly showing us they are alive and here. Forever Wakanda.”
These were the first words 101 The Beat Nashville’s Averianna the Personality thought of when asked about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She definitely wasn’t the only one that had thoughts on the movie after catching an early screening via BlackTree TV in Franklin, Tennessee. People were buzzing about what they just saw.
The movie is a sequel to the original Black Panther movie, released back in February 2018. People remember the excitement of watching the original film and dressing up in different African royal clothing as if they were traveling to Wakanda. Though this special screening did not have as many people dressed up, the same feelings of awe were inspired by watching such greatness.
While many may be curious to see how they can move on without Chadwick Boseman, the most important thing is that they manage to do so. The original Black Panther in the Marvel movies, Boseman passed away from colon cancer in 2020. Many people suggested replacing Boseman’s role in the movie with another actor, while others thought that this should not be done and that it was best to focus on other Marvel projects instead. But not only did they move forward with this movie, but they also moved forward with the same type of passion and symmetry we saw on film in the first movie.
While everyone wants to compare the hype of this movie to that of its predecessor, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever can best be described as a range of emotions with superhero and human elements, a seamless plot, and elite acting.
While these movies are different, they all have one thing in common: Director Ryan Coogler. From Fruitvale Station to Creed to this movie, Coogler just does not miss. This film offers viewers the same engaging experience they have enjoyed in his other films. The tributes to Chadwick Boseman, the different emotions within exchanges in dialogue, and the many different dialogues spoken in this movie bring the energy that we loved from the original along with additional emotional pull. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has claimed its stake as the best Marvel movie of Phase 4 in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and gives a good close to that chapter. Hopefully, this will not be the end of the Black Panther magic that lifts our spirits, brings us together, and connects us all as a people.
