Film Review: "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" (2022).

"For Honor, For Legacy, For Wakanda!" This is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This superhero film directed by Ryan Coogler, written by Coogler and Joe Robert Cole, based on the titular Marvel Comics character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and produced by Marvel Studios. It is the sequel to Black Panther (2018) and the 30th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). At the dawn of King T'Challa's death, invading forces from around the world target Wakanda's vibranium, unleashing chaos, and it will be the duty of Shuri, M'Baku, Nakia and Okoye to defend the nation, especially when a mysterious Mexican civilization emerges from the depths of the sea.

In February 2018, with the release of Black Panther, producer Kevin Feige said there were "many, many stories" to tell with the character, and he wanted Coogler to return. Coogler wanted to see how T'Challa / Black Panther would grow as a king in future films. In March, Feige said there was nothing specific to reveal about a sequel, but Marvel had ideas and a "pretty solid direction" on where they wanted to take a second film. In October, Coogler was hired to write and direct the sequel. In November 2018, Letitia Wright was confirmed to be reprising her role for the sequel. In July 2019, Danai Gurira stated that she would be reprising her role in the sequel. Feige confirmed the sequel's development at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con, while Martin Freeman confirmed in August that he would reprise his role in the sequel. At D23, it was announced that the film was set for a May 6, 2022 release date, along with the placeholder title Black Panther II. However, on August 28, 2020, Chadwick Boseman died from colon cancer. Coogler stated that he had been unaware of Boseman's illness. Feige and other Marvel Studios executives were also unaware of Boseman's illness. By the time of Boseman's death, Coogler was writing the script and had already turned in a draft. In November, Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, and Angela Bassett were confirmed to be reprising their roles for the sequel. At that time, filming was expected to begin in June or July 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. In December 2020, the film's release date was moved back to July 8, 2022. Feige also confirmed that the role of T'Challa would not be recast. He would later reaffirm that visual effects would not be used to include Boseman in the film. In May 2021, Marvel Studios revealed the film's title as Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

The film stars Wright, Nyong'o, Gurira, Duke, Dominique Thorne, Florence Kasumba, Michaela Coel, Tenoch Huerta, Freeman, and Bassett. There's almost no denying that Chadwick Boseman's replacements do not exhibit the same leading actor charisma.

Much of the magic that made the original film entertaining is left by the wayside in favor of bigger bangs and larger-than-life antagonist with a cool design. It's a little messy and not nearly up to par with the original, but this is still an acceptable sequel with just enough fun to appease its fan base.

Simon says Black Panther: Wakanda Forever receives:

Also, see my reviews for Black Panther and Thor: Love and Thunder.