The Beauty of Wakanda Forever
Credits: 2022 Marvel
Directed by Ryan Coogler
Screenplay by Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole
Cinematography by Autumn Durald
Music by Ludwig Goransson
Edited by Kelley Dixon, Jennifer Lame & Michael P. Shawver
Produced by Kevin Feige & Nate Moore
The highly anticipated sequel to the Black Panther Franchise was introduced this week, and it delivered on all levels. Get your tissues ready. Here are some of my thoughts, plus special facts about the film (CONTAINS SPOILERS).
The Review Is In: 10/10
The first thing that I want to mention is the heart and soul of this film, which is Chadwick Boseman. Chadwick tragically passed away at the age of 43 from colon cancer in August of 2020. At the time, the script for the second film was being written by Coogler, who told Chadwick about his ideas before his passing. Chadwick will always be Black Panther. His performance in the 2018 movie wowed audiences around the globe and cemented him as a superhero favorite. The cultural impact of the film, being one of the first major Black superhero movies, inspired Black fans to dress in their beautiful Kente Clothes and Gele's, and dance in the lobby's of movie cinemas. Personally, I felt Chadwick's presence throughout the entire movie, it moved me to tears before and after the movie. His greatness will always live on, and Ryan Coogler honored him so perfectly in Wakanda Forever.
T'challa is dead, but that doesn't mean he's gone- Queen Ramonda
Let me mention the other factors that make this movie a perfect score in my mind. There were a lot of opinions and concerns on how the story would unfold now that Chadwick is gone. Several crew and cast members expressed their feelings about returning to work on the second film with Boseman not being there. Greif was heavy with everyone who worked with him on the first film, some declining to return for WF. With this in mind, I will circle back on why recasting T'Challa wouldn't have been easy. However, Coogler and Robert Cole were able to capture grief in all it's forms, colonialism, African and, Mesoamerican + Mayan culture, suspense, drama, pain, and perseverance in 2 hours and 41 amazing minutes. I definitely see Coogler being nominated for Best Director.
I will also applaud Academy Award Winner Ruth E. Carter, her costume design team, and hair and makeup designers for their incredible efforts to properly and beautifully present African and Mayan culture. Also, huge credit to everyone who did their research on all the cultures represented in this film!
My Ears Were Blessed: Ludwig Gorranson, what can I even say? GENIUS! I am becoming a huge fan of his work. His score his for the first and second movie blow me out of this world. I do favor Wakanda Forever's score to the first one, but the soundtrack took me by surprise. It featured Rihanna, Tems, British artists Stormzy and PinkPantheress, Aleman, Bloody Civilian, Baaba Mal, and more. The songs are diverse in language and sound, and I can't stop listening! Props to the sound engineers, producers, writers, instrumentalists, conductors, and everyone who worked on music and sound. I had chills all over my body.
Cinematography was visually stunning, especially the water effects. I have zero idea how they filmed the underwater scenes, but it left me speechless. Many cast and crew members had to learn how to swim for the first time. I'm not an expert, but in my eyes, CGI and special effects looked clean and believable. I would suggest watching this film on the big screen, if you are able. Production design, who won an Oscar for the 2018 movie, did their thing again this time around ๐.
HIGHLIGHTS
This section is SPOILER HEAVY and me just absolutely fangirling over everything.
Angela Bassett must win an award for her performance in Wakanda Forever. The scene between her and Danai Gurrira (who also did phenomenal in this film) was bone chilling. "Have I not given everything!" This moment sealed Bassett for a potential first Oscar win. But did you see what Namor did to her? He's public enemy #1! At first I thought they were just playing with my feelings, but she was n't opening her eyes. I was shocked, like, this was shocking news. RIP Romonda , she is and will always be mother.
Credits: Marvel Studios
Circling back to Chadwick Boseman's death and how it impacted cast and crew, they thought recasting T'challa would be too soon. I'm happy they didn't recast because it's not even needed. Letitia Wright who plays Shuri, stood up to the plate and hit a homerun as Shuri's Black Panther. It might be difficult for some to comprehend Shuri taking her brother's place, but it happens eventually in the comics, so what 's the issue? One of the issues could be that fans don't want to see a woman take on a superhero role. It's crazy, because that fight between her and Namor was intense! Plus, now that we know T'challa has a son..... Anyways, just my opinion.
Okoye's fighting scene with the Talokan people scared the heck out of me. They were getting chased by the cops, then boom, both Riri and Shuri were passed out on the road. I was about to jump into the screen to help Okoye out. Okoye is a true warrior and Danai killed it!
The action scenes were great in my opinion. I don't watch that many action stuff, but I enjoyed the ones in this film. I can't lie though, the Talokan beat the Wakandan's bad during the war on the ship scene. Like, Wakanda needs to get it together!
Tenoch Huerta Mejia. Give him his 10's. The dedication this man put into bringing Namor to life is incredible to hear, but even better to watch. Tenoch has expressed how special it was for him, as a Brown skinned Indigenous Mexican Man, to play a superhero (anti-hero) character on the big screen. He learned how to swim and how to speak Mayan for this role. Now, I know some of you were willing to side with him because he is dashing and handsome ๐ , but remember, he is public enemy #1!!! My favorite part was when one of the Talokan guards was shot by Nakia, then Namora, played by Mabel Cadena (who I wish had more scenes because she is so ruthless) was telling her cousin Namor they need to get revenge, and Namor said in his deep, enticing voice, "I will." Then BOOM, the scene cuts to Namor dressed in his fabulous attire, floating to his throne. And the music (called Namor's Throne) added to such a powerful moment. Namor needs his own movie with Tenoch reprising the role.
Winston Duke and Dominique Thorne are so fun to watch! They were humorous, intelligent, and exude Black excellence.
The Siren song scene on the big ship was incredible! It's one of my favorite scenes.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus!?
Killmonger!?
When aunty Shuri met Toussaint...๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฅ๐
Go watch Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in theatres now!
Honorary Reporter, Ziga Poromon, #WeAreHere, Asia Lab.
Instagram: @zigaporomon
Twitter: ZiigCreatives
The Beauty of Wakanda Forever
Credits: 2022 Marvel
Directed by Ryan Coogler
Screenplay by Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole
Cinematography by Autumn Durald
Music by Ludwig Goransson
Edited by Kelley Dixon, Jennifer Lame & Michael P. Shawver
Produced by Kevin Feige & Nate Moore
The highly anticipated sequel to the Black Panther Franchise was introduced this week, and it delivered on all levels. Get your tissues ready. Here are some of my thoughts, plus special facts about the film (CONTAINS SPOILERS).
The Review Is In: 10/10
The first thing that I want to mention is the heart and soul of this film, which is Chadwick Boseman. Chadwick tragically passed away at the age of 43 from colon cancer in August of 2020. At the time, the script for the second film was being written by Coogler, who told Chadwick about his ideas before his passing. Chadwick will always be Black Panther. His performance in the 2018 movie wowed audiences around the globe and cemented him as a superhero favorite. The cultural impact of the film, being one of the first major Black superhero movies, inspired Black fans to dress in their beautiful Kente Clothes and Gele's, and dance in the lobby's of movie cinemas. Personally, I felt Chadwick's presence throughout the entire movie, it moved me to tears before and after the movie. His greatness will always live on, and Ryan Coogler honored him so perfectly in Wakanda Forever.
T'challa is dead, but that doesn't mean he's gone- Queen Ramonda
Let me mention the other factors that make this movie a perfect score in my mind. There were a lot of opinions and concerns on how the story would unfold now that Chadwick is gone. Several crew and cast members expressed their feelings about returning to work on the second film with Boseman not being there. Greif was heavy with everyone who worked with him on the first film, some declining to return for WF. With this in mind, I will circle back on why recasting T'Challa wouldn't have been easy. However, Coogler and Robert Cole were able to capture grief in all it's forms, colonialism, African and, Mesoamerican + Mayan culture, suspense, drama, pain, and perseverance in 2 hours and 41 amazing minutes. I definitely see Coogler being nominated for Best Director.
My Ears Were Blessed: Ludwig Gorranson, what can I even say? GENIUS! I am becoming a huge fan of his work. His score his for the first and second movie blow me out of this world. I do favor Wakanda Forever's score to the first one, but the soundtrack took me by surprise. It featured Rihanna, Tems, British artists Stormzy and PinkPantheress, Aleman, Bloody Civilian, Baaba Mal, and more. The songs are diverse in language and sound, and I can't stop listening! Props to the sound engineers, producers, writers, instrumentalists, conductors, and everyone who worked on music and sound. I had chills all over my body.
HIGHLIGHTS
This section is SPOILER HEAVY and me just absolutely fangirling over everything.
Angela Bassett must win an award for her performance in Wakanda Forever. The scene between her and Danai Gurrira (who also did phenomenal in this film) was bone chilling. "Have I not given everything!" This moment sealed Bassett for a potential first Oscar win. But did you see what Namor did to her? He's public enemy #1! At first I thought they were just playing with my feelings, but she was n't opening her eyes. I was shocked, like, this was shocking news. RIP Romonda , she is and will always be mother.
Credits: Marvel Studios
Circling back to Chadwick Boseman's death and how it impacted cast and crew, they thought recasting T'challa would be too soon. I'm happy they didn't recast because it's not even needed. Letitia Wright who plays Shuri, stood up to the plate and hit a homerun as Shuri's Black Panther. It might be difficult for some to comprehend Shuri taking her brother's place, but it happens eventually in the comics, so what 's the issue? One of the issues could be that fans don't want to see a woman take on a superhero role. It's crazy, because that fight between her and Namor was intense! Plus, now that we know T'challa has a son..... Anyways, just my opinion.
Okoye's fighting scene with the Talokan people scared the heck out of me. They were getting chased by the cops, then boom, both Riri and Shuri were passed out on the road. I was about to jump into the screen to help Okoye out. Okoye is a true warrior and Danai killed it!
The action scenes were great in my opinion. I don't watch that many action stuff, but I enjoyed the ones in this film. I can't lie though, the Talokan beat the Wakandan's bad during the war on the ship scene. Like, Wakanda needs to get it together!
Tenoch Huerta Mejia. Give him his 10's. The dedication this man put into bringing Namor to life is incredible to hear, but even better to watch. Tenoch has expressed how special it was for him, as a Brown skinned Indigenous Mexican Man, to play a superhero (anti-hero) character on the big screen. He learned how to swim and how to speak Mayan for this role. Now, I know some of you were willing to side with him because he is dashing and handsome ๐ , but remember, he is public enemy #1!!! My favorite part was when one of the Talokan guards was shot by Nakia, then Namora, played by Mabel Cadena (who I wish had more scenes because she is so ruthless) was telling her cousin Namor they need to get revenge, and Namor said in his deep, enticing voice, "I will." Then BOOM, the scene cuts to Namor dressed in his fabulous attire, floating to his throne. And the music (called Namor's Throne) added to such a powerful moment. Namor needs his own movie with Tenoch reprising the role.
Winston Duke and Dominique Thorne are so fun to watch! They were humorous, intelligent, and exude Black excellence.
The Siren song scene on the big ship was incredible! It's one of my favorite scenes.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus!?
Killmonger!?
When aunty Shuri met Toussaint...๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฅ๐
Go watch Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in theatres now!
Honorary Reporter, Ziga Poromon, #WeAreHere, Asia Lab.
Instagram: @zigaporomon
Twitter: ZiigCreatives