Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was released in the Philippines last November 9 to an audience hungry for the much-awaited sequel of the 2018 movie. But this time, instead of leaving the cinema shouting “Wakanda forever!” and doing the arms crossed greeting, folks were wiping the tears from their eyes. If you haven’t watched the movie over the weekend, you should go ahead and buy tickets for the next full show after you read this spoiler-free article.
Prepare your tissues
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was incredible. One of the most powerful movies about grief and loss I’ve seen in a long time.
Holy shit.
— Jay Coles (@mrjaycoles) November 12, 2022
At least four times. That’s how many times Wakanda Forever will make you cry within its 2 hours and 45 minutes run time. So we’re warning all the ladies out there: Wear waterproof eye makeup.
It’s a powerful movie that, among its other themes, tackles navigating grief and loss, something Coogler handled tastefully and brilliantly. Of course, we all know who the film is dedicated to — Chadwick Boseman, the Black Panther himself who succumbed to cancer on August 28, 2020. Wakanda Forever is as much a continuation of the Wakandan story as it is a tribute to a legend whom everyone loved on- and off-screen.
Emotions run high
there’s a lot of incredible acting moments in black panther wakanda forever, but the emotional scene between danai gurira and angela bassett — you know, the one — has been living in my mind rent free. a masterclass
— Nora Dominick (@noradominick) November 13, 2022
Although he isn’t on screen, Boseman’s presence is felt throughout the movie. His character, the late king T’Challa, is at the front and center of everyone’s minds the whole time. And at the height of the audience’s emotions, Coogler inserts muted scenes with montages that would just make you cry buckets (again). If you aren’t yet prompted to tears from the heated emotional exchanges, his use of silence during key moments might just make you bawl your eyes out.
this scene really broke me pic.twitter.com/SxDJToDGnN
— thee bad guy (@thescarletprint) November 11, 2022
An equally emotional post-credits scene
Of course, we won’t be spoiling the sole post-credits scene from the movie, you’ll just have to sit through the film credits yourself (it’s tradition!). But here’s what we can say — the wait will be worth it. It had everyone in the theater gasping, some shedding a few more tears.
The fight scenes
this bridge fight scene with okoye vs talocans went so HARD like she’s so mother for that #WakandaForever pic.twitter.com/ucHfte637L
— chris (@chrisdadeviant) November 12, 2022
Whenever you’re not crying, you’ll be left open-mouthed at the fight scenes, especially the ones involving the powerful Wakandan women we love. Okoye with her deadly moves and piercing spear gets significant screen time. That number on the bridge? Chef’s kiss.
T’Challa and Shuri’s mother, Queen Ramonda’s commanding presence was also mesmerizing. Angela Bassett’s acting is top tier, “an absolute force” as one Twitter user described it.
angela bassett is truly a GOD tier actor. an absolute force as queen ramonda. give her 10s! her 100s her millions billions! #WakandaForever pic.twitter.com/sZwC1ruWpO
— ken saw bp:wf (@wandaslizzie) November 10, 2022
Top-tier acting.
You’ll see Shuri maturing before your eyes
I’m not even gonna lie Shuri and Peter Parker have the best character development arcs in a single movie in the entire MCU #BlackPanther #WakandaForever pic.twitter.com/J6w6lj3mQZ
— Keizi Cinema (@KeiziTV) November 12, 2022
Wakanda Forever, of course, sees Shuri coming into her own and maturing in ways only a human being wracked with grief and loss can. Everyone handles grief in different ways and the Wakandan princess chose to deal with hers on her own terms. But like the best superheroes, Shuri takes all the pain and transforms it into something her ancestors would be proud of.
Theres something so poetic about having Shuri go through being consumed by vengeance the same way her brother did in Civil War. Ryan Coogler did that so brilliantly and it made for such a great parallel. I love that arc so much. #WakandaForever pic.twitter.com/DxUhJXN8BY
— Owen (@OwennZo) November 11, 2022
Is it better than Black Panther (2018)?
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever having a black woman led cast in a blockbuster superhero movie…Fucking amazing. Then to include an indigenous civilization with an actual indigenous actor in a mainstream blockbuster…Yeah…They set the bar EVERY time.
— Minnie Mi (@MinnieTy5) November 13, 2022
There’s no right answer, honestly. Both movies opened us up to the beautiful world of Wakanda and everything they’re fighting for. Both are equally epic in their time and in their own right. Let’s just put it this way: Chadwick Boseman’s death was shattering, but beauty came out of it. And Ryan Coogler continues to impress everyone with his skills as a filmmaker, taking a Marvel movie to new heights every time. Although he is working on a Disney+ series centered on Wakanda, Coogler says he isn’t sure if there’s a third Black Panther movie in the works.
“I can tell you definitively I have no idea what I’m doing next,” he tells Variety. “It’s very difficult because you’re exhausted and emotionally spent, and I’m trying to give it all my full attention,” he says. “After that, I’ll figure out what’s going on with me. But I think it’s going to be some rest and family time.”
If you’ve already watched Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, you’ll know that once is not enough. Go ahead and give it a rewatch. You know you want to.
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