Black Panther: Wakanda Forever film review (no spoilers)

Having waited months for the Black Panther Wakanda Forever film release, the time had finally come!

Black Panther rewind

For those who need a recap or an intro to the franchise, the action film is based on the Marvel comic character Black Panther.

The film is set in the fictional African land of Wakanda, led by King T’Challa, the Black Panther.

The African nation has vibranium, a precious metal that it uses to develop advanced technology. Through this, Wakanda has become one of the most powerful kingdoms in the world.

The only details we knew before the screening were that one of our favourite British actors, Daniel Kaluuya, would not be returning to the franchise due to a scheduling conflict.

And crucially, Chadwick Boseman, who played King T’Challa, lost his battle with cancer in 2020 at just 43 years old.

Since he had kept his illness private, many were shocked and saddened by his sudden death.

How would his immense absence be tackled in the sequel?

Wakanda under attack

The film’s plot revolves around the premise that Wakanda and another nation, Talokan, with Mesoamerican connections, are being threatened by other countries who want access to their resources.

As history has shown us, they need to protect their kingdoms’ precious metals from exploitation to avoid possible oppression.

The two nations can either form a strong alliance or risk going to war with each other. The painful lesson here is how thin the line between uniting or fighting can be and how difficult it can be to make the right choices.

T’Challa heartfelt tribute

Core to the film are themes of family, grief and how far one would go to avenge loved ones.

If you can manage to hold back tears at the beginning and the middle of the film, then you might explode at the end.

However, be sure to stay until the very, very end.

The audience in our cinema erupted with loud shouts and cries, but whether it was from heartache or hope, you’ll have to find out for yourself.

The legacy left behind

The film leaves us with a teaser suggesting another franchise instalment may return to further cement its legacy.

But it’s the legacy that the film has created offscreen that’s the most impactful.

The talented cast hailed from far and wide: Guyana, Kenya, Tobago, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mexico, the US and the UK.

The closeness of the cast could be seen in the promotional interviews, they gave. The film was not just about paying tribute to their African heritage but also to their dearly departed friend.

We are Wakanda

To the rest of us, the film leaves another legacy.

Looking around in the cinema, many of us didn’t grow up seeing black superheroes onscreen, women warriors, or African kingdoms rising to become global superpowers.

The faces of African and Caribbean children in the audience beamed with pride. Meanwhile, they were watched on by their parents who teared up with wonder.

The real legacy the franchise continues to have is in shaping hearts and minds.

Creating new narratives that restore positive beliefs in how generations can see themselves and are seen by those around them.

That’s the imprint the film has bestowed on us.

For that, we thank you, Wakanda. Forever.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s incredible cast featured Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Michaela Coel, Winston Duke, Martin Freeman and Dominique Thorne.