Wakanda Forever is the sequel to Marvel’s 2018 blockbuster Black Panther, directed by Ryan Coogler. While it is a work of fiction, the movie has strong roots in history and culture, offering a unique Afrofuturist vision of Africa. Through its themes of colonialism, grief, and female power—deeply rooted in the African American experience—the film can convey the complexities and nuances of modern Black life in the United States.
The movie is based on the Marvel comic book Black Panther, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1966. While the comic book itself was a product of the civil rights era and its focus on Black empowerment, Wakanda Forever builds upon this legacy by giving the characters a more nuanced and complex backstory, exploring the history of colonialism in Africa and the African diaspora, and providing a powerful representation of Black female power.
The film also draws upon Africa’s vibrant history and culture, referencing the ancient civilizations of Kemet, Ethiopia, Mali, Ghana, and Songhai. Wakanda is a way of looking at Africa in its full glory. It is presented as a technologically advanced society that is free from the “isms”—such as racism and sexism—that plague other civilizations. The movie also includes various Afrofuturist elements, such as the underwater kingdom of Talokan and Riri Williams’ Ironheart persona.
The film follows the story of Wakandan Queen Ramonda, her daughter Shuri, and the Dora Milaje as they fight to protect their kingdom and its vibranium from foreign forces. Throughout the film, the characters must face difficult choices and ultimately courageously stand up for what they believe in. The film opens with Shuri working to create an artificial Heart-Shaped Herb to save her brother, T’Challa, who is dying of an illness. It is a powerful scene that sets the tone for the rest of the film: Shuri is determined to do whatever it takes to protect her family and kingdom.
The film then introduces Namor, a mysterious figure who leads a civilization of people living in the deep ocean for centuries. He claims to be the son of the woman who first ingested the substance that made them blue and incapable of breathing in air. Namor and his people have come to Wakanda to ask for help in protecting their vibranium from outsiders. Ramonda is initially wary of Namor, but Shuri is intrigued by him and his people.
It sets up an interesting dynamic between the two characters. On the one hand, Namor represents a people that have been oppressed and forgotten by the world, while on the other hand, Shuri is determined to protect her kingdom. Through this conflict, the film brings to light the importance of standing up for what you believe in and finding the courage to fight for what you know is right.
The film then follows Shuri and Okoye as they travel to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to find Riri Williams, the inventor of the vibration detector. Here, we are introduced to Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, the ex-wife of Everett Ross, who is also trying to get her hands on the vibranium. This scene highlights the importance of loyalty and courage in adversity.
The climax of the film comes when Namor and his people invade Wakanda. The Dora Milaje and Jabari Tribe fight bravely to protect their home, while Shuri and Williams use the Ironheart armour to care for the airborne Talokanils. Ultimately, it is up to Shuri to face Namor and decide whether or not to kill him. Here, the film touches on the importance of making difficult choices and finding the courage to do what is right. Ultimately, Shuri can find the courage to spare Namor’s life, and Wakanda is saved.
Themes
The central theme of Marvel’s 2022 film Wakanda Forever is grief and how it can be used to create a stronger, unified community. It is demonstrated in several ways throughout the movie. First, when T’Challa passes away, Wakanda is left in a state of mourning and uncertainty about who will take his place as king. This grief is palpable, with Queen Ramonda and Shuri dealing with the emotional pain of losing their beloved leader and protector (DeLuca, 2022). Despite the sadness and uncertainty, the Wakandans unite to remain strong and protect their nation from outside forces. Queen Ramonda can take on the role of leader, and the Dora Milaje band together to protect their kingdom. It demonstrates how grief can unite a community and how strength and unity can be born from tragedy.
The film also highlights the strength of Black women in America. From the first scene, Queen Ramonda must resume her title as a national leader. Shuri must step up to fill the void left by her brother. Nakia embarks on a journey to find answers to her grief (DeLuca, 2022). The Dora Milaje strengthen their resolve to protect their kingdom in the face of loss. These examples of strength and resilience mirror the experiences of Black women in America today.
Music
The Soundtrack includes various African-based vocalists, including Rihanna, Tems, Fireboy DML, OG DAYV, CKay, E-40, etc. The use of these vocalists not only adds to the film’s authenticity but also helps to create an atmosphere of inclusivity. By including a variety of vocalists from different African cultures, the music of Wakanda Forever can evoke a sense of unity and community that reflects the values of the Wakandan people.
The music of Wakanda Forever is an integral part of the film, as it helps to set the tone and atmosphere of the story. By incorporating a variety of African-based vocalists and traditional African instruments, the Soundtrack can evoke a sense of unity and community that reflects the values of the Wakandan people. The use of music also helps to illustrate the themes of resilience, courage, and hope throughout the film (Marvel, 2022). The musical elements of Wakanda Forever help to create an immersive and powerful experience that will stay with viewers long after they have left the theatre.
The musical elements of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever fill in the film’s background, create emotion, and support the storyline. The score and Soundtrack convey the characters’ emotions and the film’s themes. It can be seen in the Soundtrack’s lead single, “Lift Me,” by Rihanna. This song was written as a tribute to the life and legacy of Chadwick Boseman. It was recorded in five countries and co-written by Tems, Oscar winner Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, and Ryan Coogler (Marvel, 2022). The song conveys the emotions of loss and love and is a powerful addition to the film’s narrative.
The Soundtrack also contains songs that are tailored to Wakanda, the fictional African country that is the home of the Black Panther. “Welcome Back” by Baaba Maal is a traditional African song used to open the movie and show the audience the beauty and power of Wakanda (Marvel, 2022). Traditional African music helps to immerse the audience in the world of Wakanda and creates an emotional connection to the characters.
Directing
Directing is an essential aspect of any movie and is often overlooked by the casual viewer. The director’s job is to bring the script to life and ensure the audience is entertained. In the Marvel movie Wakanda Forever, the director, Ryan Coogler, did an excellent job providing the audience was engaged and entertained.
Ryan Coogler is a highly acclaimed director, directing films such as Creed and Fruitvale Station. He is an expert at creating tension and suspense, and Wakanda Forever is no different. As the movie progresses, Coogler uses quick cuts and intense music to keep the audience on their toes and create a feeling of suspense (Viapiuser, 2023). Coogler also uses various techniques to convey the film’s themes and messages. For example, he often uses close-up shots and slow-motion sequences to highlight the characters’ emotions, ensuring the audience feels their pain and joy. In addition, he uses a variety of camera angles to give the audience a different perspective on the scenes.
Coogler uses various techniques to show the characters’ relationships with each other and their surroundings. For example, he often frames characters against the backdrop of Wakanda’s beautiful landscapes. This technique shows the characters’ attachment to their home and emphasizes the importance of the Wakandan culture.
Dissect an actor
Angela Bassett’s performance as Queen Ramonda in Wakanda Forever is a testament to her experience as an actor and her seemingly boundless talent. She brings a unique sense of strength, wisdom, and grace to the role, making her an exemplary figure in a world of powerful characters. From the film’s beginning, Bassett’s portrayal of Queen Ramonda clarifies that this woman has earned her leadership position in Wakanda. Her presence is powerful and commanding, and she can project a quiet confidence often lacking in other characters. It is especially evident during her interactions with Okoye, as she can maintain her composure even in the face of Okoye’s anger. Bassett’s performance also conveys the deep love and admiration that Queen Ramonda has for her family and the lengths she will go to to protect them. It is seen in her willingness to risk her own life to protect her family and her unflinching strength in the face of danger.
Bassett also successfully conveys Queen Ramonda’s grief and sadness at the loss of her husband and her son. Her performance is raw and passionate, and she can capture the nuances of grief in a way that is both heartbreaking and powerful. She can convey the pain and anguish that Queen Ramonda feels while also maintaining her strength and determination in the face of adversity. Her performance is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of the human heart.
Bassett’s performance as Queen Ramonda is also noteworthy for its subtlety. Throughout the film, she can convey her character’s emotions without relying on grandiose gestures or loud displays of emotion. Instead, she can communicate her character’s thoughts and feelings through her eyes and body language. This subtlety allows for a more nuanced performance, as Bassett can capture the nuances of her character’s emotions without resorting to melodrama.
Visual Elements and Camera Movement
In the film Wakanda Forever, many unique visual elements tell the story and create a unique atmosphere. The primary visual element used in the film is the vibrant and colourful costumes and set pieces. Every character is adorned in traditional African garb, which adds to the authenticity and realism of the film. Additionally, the sets are designed with great attention to detail, with various African-inspired architecture that transports viewers to the fictional world of Wakanda. The dynamic camera movements help convey the film’s action. The camera follows characters as they move around the screen, allowing viewers to feel like they are part of the action. Additionally, the camera movements often pan around to capture different angles of a scene, which helps to create tension and suspense.
Critique a filmmaker
Ryan Coogler’s Wakanda Forever is an excellent addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and a tribute to the legacy of Chadwick Boseman. Coogler’s direction, writing, and cinematography create a stunning visual experience and emotional roller coaster ride. The director of Creed and Black Panther is one of the few filmmakers who can make a Marvel movie feel genuinely intimate and personal. Coogler can deliver emotional moments that feel honest and real while full of spectacle (Viapiuser, 2023). His music use, understanding of the comic book source material, and his knack for creating iconic moments all come together to make Wakanda Forever an extraordinary Marvel film.
References
DeLuca, A. (2022, November 16). Breaking down the hidden messages in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda forever.’ Temple Now | news.temple.edu. https://news.temple.edu/news/2022-11-11/breaking-down-hidden-messages-black-panther-wakanda-forever
Marvel. (2022, November 2). ‘Black Panther: Wakanda forever’ music from and inspired by Soundtrack launches globally on November 4. Marvel Entertainment. https://www.marvel.com/articles/movies/black-panther-wakanda-forever-music-inspired-by-soundtrack
Thompson, E. (2023, February 8). ‘Black Panther: Wakanda forever’ finally has a Disney+ release date. Us Weekly. https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/black-panther-wakanda-forever-everything-we-know-so-far/
Viapiuser. (2023, January 4). Ryan Coogler. Variety. https://variety.com/exec/ryan-coogler/
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