Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – A Kingdom Without Its King

🌌 Introduction

This review is part of the MCU Watch Order – explore all Marvel movies and shows in timeline order!

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever had an impossible task: honor the legacy of a beloved actor, continue one of the MCU’s most original worlds, and launch a new path forward—all without its central hero. And while it tries valiantly, the result is a film that feels bloated, directionless, and emotionally uneven.

🧩 The Story – Grief as a Plot Device

The story begins in tragedy. T’Challa has died off-screen due to an illness, and Wakanda mourns its fallen king. His sister Shuri (Letitia Wright), mother Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), and the people of Wakanda face not only their own sorrow but new global tensions as nations seek vibranium.

Enter Namor (Tenoch Huerta), the ruler of the underwater civilization Talokan, who emerges as a new threat—or potential ally—in a world that sees Wakanda as weakened.

This narrative should feel monumental. Instead, it meanders. The grief is real, but the plot often feels mechanical, and the pacing drags through politics, exposition, and new introductions that fail to truly land.

⚔️ Namor – A Complex But Underused Villain

Namor is one of the film’s most compelling elements: a mutant god with wings on his feet, ruling over an ancient civilization. His motivations—to protect his people from colonization and exploitation—mirror Wakanda’s own past.

But his character development is shallow. His menace never fully builds, and his choices don’t always feel earned. The underwater world of Talokan looks beautiful, but its introduction is rushed and lacks the depth of Wakanda’s original portrayal.

🎭 Performances – Powerful but Overburdened

Angela Bassett delivers an outstanding performance—regal, emotional, commanding. Her scenes are the film’s emotional peak. Letitia Wright tries admirably to carry the torch, but Shuri's arc is not quite strong enough to anchor the movie.

Supporting characters like Okoye (Danai Gurira), M’Baku (Winston Duke), and newcomer Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) add moments of levity and spark—but they’re often underused or pulled into side plots that don’t fully resolve.

⌛ A Tribute That Never Becomes a Story

The tribute to Chadwick Boseman is heartfelt, especially in the silent Marvel logo and the final scenes. But the film feels caught between honoring the past and launching something new.

It introduces too much: new tech, new characters, new conflicts, and new mythologies—all without time to let them breathe. It’s ambitious, but bloated.

Instead of telling a powerful story with the tools it has, it feels like the movie is setting up future Disney+ shows and sequels.

🎬 Visuals and Direction

Visually, Wakanda Forever is stunning. The production design, costumes, and cinematography are all top-tier. Ruth E. Carter’s work continues to shine.

Action scenes are well-choreographed, but few feel truly memorable. The final showdown between Namor and the new Black Panther is impactful—but comes too late to truly save the narrative.

The underwater visuals are impressive but can’t escape the feeling of déjà vu after Aquaman.

👨‍👧‍👦 Family Viewing & Accessibility

This movie is heavy—dealing with death, politics, and war. For older kids, it may be meaningful, but it’s not the kind of Marvel movie that excites younger viewers. There’s little fun, little wonder, and very little humor.

For families, it might serve as a reflection on grief—but not an entertaining ride.

📌 FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions