I expected Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to be like any other Marvel film released in theaters. I’d walk in, grab the tickets, and find appropriate seating in our theater. After watching it, I’d go home, read more information about it, and then go to bed with less anticipation. To my astonishment, this film hits home harder than any other Marvel movie I have watched. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is by far the most magnificent Marvel film ever to be released. The message of anguish and rejuvenation are powerfully inflicted upon the audience.

We’ve all encountered tough and emotional times before. Maybe there was a moment when you had a lot of homework assignments left to do, which led to stress and anxiety. Perhaps you lost a family member or a close friend. When it comes to emotional hardship, unfortunately, the possibilities are practically endless. A sequel to the original movie in 2018, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is about the Wakandan princess Shuri and the rest of the Wakandans coping with their king’s demise while grappling with intervening world forces.

Ryan Coogler directed the movie and released it on November 11, 2022. It discusses the theme of colonialism through multiple dictatorships attempting to steal Wakanda’s resources to benefit themselves. The film also introduces new important characters played by African Americans. Rather than playing side characters, Black actors and actresses are allowed to shine and inspire others in their community. The film is in cooperation with McDonald’s, which has released a line of Happy Meal toys relating to and praising the movie. Their commercials helped express African American children’s feelings about the film and how nice it felt to see a superhero represent the Black community. I enjoyed the Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) and visual effects as it vividly exhibits the beautiful country of Wakanda and its technological advancements that displays their influence and superiority. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever shares the message that one should never give up. Even though the Wakandans lost their king to a disease, it doesn’t mean that they should give up, even without a Black Panther. They keep themselves united even without a leader in war. This message gives me hope for our society to one day peacefully work together without holding many negativities for one another.

In addition to portraying the theme of imperialism while going through some form of existential crisis, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever introduces a new civilization besides Wakanda: Talokan. The later film illustrates Talokan as a thriving community that inhabits the floor of the Atlantic Ocean, which is surprisingly led by the antagonist of the movie: Namor the Sub-Mariner. One particular scene of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was illustrated through the perspectives of Shuri and Namor as they dive through the sea, witnessing the prospering life that is being managed by the antagonist, Namor, himself. This makes the movie a little bit more fascinating as it shows how some enemies aren’t always power-hungry and that they have their own lives as well. In the film, Namor makes it the top priority to keep his people safe and protected from the dangerous surface world. His loyalty and utter devotion to his people earned him the respect given by the Talokanils.

Overall, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was an outstanding and emphatic feature film, conveying the powerful message of grief and rebirth through the perspective of the opposing community.