Joey Magidson
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has released one of their most anticipated titles. Yes, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is now in theaters! Easily one of the biggest films of the year, it also comes to audiences as a way to finally grieve the late Chadwick Boseman. You all already know where I stand on it, either through my rave review (more on that below) or where it placed in my newest ranking here of the MCU. So, I’m on the record. Now, for this weekend’s Awards Radar Community Question, the ball will be in your court. What did you think of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever? Your reactions to Marvel’s latest is what we’re focused on today.
This here is some of what I had to say about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in my review:
In a lot of ways, the first Black Panther was lightning in a bottle. Capturing the zeitgeist like it did is a rare achievement, made even more so by how it brought together mass entertainment and prestige Oscar attention. It felt like a once in a generation achievement for Marvel Studios, which has never matched that kind of Academy Award recognition. So, you’d be forgiven for going into Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with a certain amount of checked expectations. After all, it was made in the shadow of the unexpected death of lead Chadwick Boseman, requiring a major re-write. Well, I’m happy to report that all of your fears are for naught. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever may not get as many nominations at the Oscars, but in many ways, the film is an improvement over the first one. Wakanda Forever, indeed.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever manages to be more than just a new Marvel movie. It’s also a consistently moving tribute to Boseman, making the actor’s passing a narratively pivotal point as well. This easily could have backfired, but everyone involved is taking such care, it’s actually hard to imagine this sequel with any other storyline than the one we’re presented with.
Now, it’s your turn. Whatever your thoughts on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever are, we want to know. Whether you loved or hated it, let us know/tell us why. We’re all ears…
What did you think of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever? Let us know!
Gotta say, I’m less enthused with Wakanda Forever having just walked out of it.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that it’s narratively shaggier and overstuffed with superfluous characters and themes that aren’t dramatized all that well, what with Marvel’s increasingly unreasonable franchise table-setting demands. But man, I was really thrown off by how it was so much… less… visually interesting or dynamic (or even, in some action sequences, comprehensible) to look at.
Interesting. Was not my experience, but I do wonder how prevalent that take will be.