‘Wakanda Forever’ — a sublime superhero fare
IN 2020, the world lost Chadwick Boseman, the incredibly talented and beloved actor who played King T’challa in MARVEL’S 2018 fiLM, “Black Panther.” Boseman had been dealing with colon cancer, continued working and told no one. “Black Panther” was a hit both at the box-office and with critics. it even earned a best picture nomination, a rarity for blockbusters (“Green Book” ended up walking away that year with the top prize).
T’challa exuded nobility, humanity, fortitude, loyalty, wisdom and strength. He was put in so many complicated situations where there were no easy answers. Boseman brought an almost unreal level of artistry, charisma and magic to the role. With this loss, where would director Ryan Coogler and the team at Marvel be able to take the sequel?
“Wakanda Forever” did not involve recasting the role. Instead, it starts off with the death of T’Challa and by way of this king’s funeral, the audience is able to pay tribute to Chadwick.
The trailer of the film uses a new version of Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry,” the choice of song truly fits the moment. The women of Wakanda — Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright) General Okoye of the Dora Milaje (Danai Gurira) — and Nakiya (Lupita Nyong’o) pay massive roles in mapping out the future of the country.
Speaking of women, I also have to mention Okoye’s second in command, Ayo (Florence Kasumba), new character Aneka (“I May Destroy You’s” Michaela Coel) and American guest to Wakanda, Riri Williams aka Ironheart (Dominique Thorne).
It almost seems like leadership has not fallen on one set of shoulders alone but on that of many, acting together. I also welcome the return of Winston Duke as M’baku of the Jabari tribe.
We are at last introduced to a much-awaited Marvel “villain” / “anti-hero” Namor (Tenoch Huerta) ruler of the underwater realm of Talokan, a reimagined version of Atlantis, with elements inspired by Meso-American history and culture.
Namor is powerful, magnetic, determined and most importantly, he is a superhuman on a mission. Listen to him as he speaks passionately about protecting his people and you’ll ask, do Wakanda and Talokan really have to fight each other?
Coogler’s “Wakanda Forever” doesn’t just stick to these two magic kingdoms. It also takes us to Haiti and to the sanitized halls of power in the United Nations where France and the United States do have a few things to answer for.
I personally loved how they featured Haiti in this big Marvel movie. Haiti is the first and only country to ever have a successful slave revolt (this was in the late 18th century), yet despite getting rid of their French colonizers and enslavers, they were eventually made to pay reparations to their enslavers under threat of war. Talk about the world turning upside down.
The “double debt” on Haiti eventually imposed by the France and international banking contributes to the state it is in today. It is an incredibly fascinating history.
If you want to get caught up you can listen to episode called “The Cost of Haiti’s Freedom” on the podcast The Daily, and “The Haitian Revolution” on the podcast You’re Dead to Me. I shall speak no further but suffice it to say, knowledge of Haitian history will help viewers appreciate certain details of the film.
“Wakanda Forever” has relevant geopolitics, a great story, lots layers and spectacle, it would certainly merit a repeat viewing.
“Wakanda Forever” is out in cinemas and at the IMAX.