Black Panther: Wakanda Forever chooses the best route to pay homage to Chadwick Boseman. This sequel is able to describe the feeling of loss for the people of Wakanda without having to shed tears from the death of King T'Challa. With that decision, Black Panther 2 effectively presents the continuation of the nation of Wakanda after T'Challa's departure.
Director Ryan Coogler measures the right portion between the grief of the Wakandan people and their struggle to move from its lowest point.
From the start, this film immediately shows the various changes in Wakanda one year after the king's death. The change was seen from all sides, from the country's political stability in front of the world, to the grief of those closest to T'Challa.
Even though it doesn't feel like it's being conveyed smoothly in a number of parts, the method is efficient enough to lead the audience to the core problem of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
If the first film was concerned with the struggle for the throne, Black Panther 2 has a broader problem. One of them is because of the existence of the Talokan nation which is also the starting point of a series of conflicts.
The uneasy relationship between Wakanda and Talokan is beautifully conveyed by Ryan Coogler, complete with foreign policy inserts such as geopolitics, conflicts of interest, and diplomacy wars. Even though it sounds heavy, this film can still be enjoyed because of the easy-to-understand way of telling.
Coogler also introduces the Talokan people in a very interesting way, and slowly invites the audience to understand the story of the nation who exiled themselves under the sea.
The introduction of the Talokan people is even more impressive with such a beautiful visual presentation, complete with their sophistication in utilizing vibranium.
Even so, Ryan Coogler did not leave a foreign impression when describing Talokan as a nation that is isolating itself. He thought carefully about the impression that was imprinted on the nation's design and architecture.
Coogler also plays on the audience's emotions by showing the fragility of Wakanda, while on the other hand he introduces a 'competitor' that looks stronger than the nation that is the favorite of many Marvel fans. Moreover, the journey of grief experienced by a mother and younger sister through Ramonda (Angela Bassett) and Shuri (Letitia Wright) is the main force in this film.
The story of Shuri, who is predicted to be the successor of Black Panther, was not handled carelessly by Ryan Coogler. Coogler involves deep emotion and is well executed by Letitia Wright.
Coogler still has many ways to play with the emotions of the audience in this film. Through a scene, he starts the third chapter of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with high tension until the end of the story. For me, it is this third act that provides a more satisfying viewing experience than the first film.
The audience is treated to a battle between Wakanda and Talokan which is not only magnificent, but also involves complex moral considerations. The struggle between revenge and defending self-esteem with experience is still premature.
Black Panther 2 Wakanda Forever review: the journey of grief experienced by a mother and younger sister through Ramonda and Shuri is the main force in this film. However, Ryan Coogler does not necessarily forget how to close Black Panther 2 smoothly, which makes this film a journey record for a new Marvel hero who has just reached maturity.
Frankly, watching MCU films and series lately just feels like 'aborting obligations' in order to stay updated with the big plot of the universe. Until finally, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is here to offer another color that is actually familiar to MCU fans.
I and the other spectators are again treated to a spectacle with layered problems that often flip back and forth between moral and emotional compasses. Apart from that, the Black Panther universe doesn't seem to need crossover frills because it can be sturdy and satisfying just by standing alone.