A Marvel fan's thoughts on "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"
"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" is the sequel to the movie "Black Panther". This is an in-depth review from a Marvel fan's perspective.
By Alejandrina Avila
* Warning: this article contains spoilers regarding the plot of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever". Please do not read if you have not watched the movie yet *
The movie starts with a beautiful, tear-jerking memorial to T'Challa. That made me feel closer to the character. I felt the mourning that Shuri and Ramonda felt. Throughout the film, we do indeed see a similarity between Namor and Shuri, as Namor, mentioned during the film, "Only the most broken people can be great leaders" It is true they both lead their people and protect them."
This movie is both Shuri's and Namor's movie because we see a parallel between both characters about how both Namor and Shuri have experienced generational trauma. Namor is seen as a God to his people. He is by far an amazing villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe phase four. He's ruthless, but he's fair throughout the film.
Namor's background story is very impactful to me because he mentioned the colonization of Spain and Mexico; that his mother faced and how he feels towards the "surface world". Kilmonger makes an appearance and he does it in the most unexpecting way.
Without spoiling the movie, I can say that T'Challa is truly honored in this film. If you enjoyed the first Black Panther, you'll love this one. The movie itself has amazing actors, and a new look at an underwater world we didn't see in the first movie nor it was ever mentioned before throughout the last films. We have also learned more about Vibranium and what that means.
As the audience, we start to wonder what we know and that's why this new phase of the MCU is going towards everything we knew since Thanos. The Black Panther will return. Throughout the film, the graphics and as well costume came hand and hand.
The representation of the Mayan culture with the jewelry and as well the green and gold that's used, Namor's costume especially was beautiful. His costume has details of a serpent as well as the scale. His head paice is the head of the serpent with feathers and scales. just like the serpent of Kukulcan. He looked like a god. The details of his wings on his ankles and his ears pointed up to the sky, he was the embodiment of a serpent's god. He looked like the Myana god named K'uk'ulkan, a feathered serpent god. This is known in Mesoamerican religions, and now will be known by the fans of Black Panther.
One of the main known warriors we meet in the film is Namora her headpiece represents a leader, and she did deliver her role being the right hand of Namor. she faces the attackers face-on. Attuma also another warrior has a beautiful costume that stands out compared to the others; they show that they are the leaders in command of Namor. When there were underwater the audio sounded as if we were also there, the cool tones in the underworld of Talokan have a beauty to them, it is not like any underwater word.
The tones I noticed from both lands Wakanda have a modern colorful warm tone throughout Wakanda and as well the highly advanced technology compared to Talokan they have more cool dark tones and as well they don't seem to have a lot technology as Wakanda.
The storyline is different at first we see an alliance form and a misunderstanding happens which causes chaos between both Nations. Where we see hope that two powerful nations can come as one and protect each other.
The acting was outstanding, and the Mayan language the actors learned was beautiful and spoken with pride. You can tell they took the time to learn and bring the representation to the big screen. Letitia Wright did a fantastic job. I felt every emotion she wanted to convey to the audience. Everyone was on the edge of their seats throughout the movie.
The music from black and brown artists adds a nice touch. Through the music, I felt like I was able to connect to the movie even more. What we see in the movie is two rich cultures coming together and giving a performance, and you feel that through the music.
The designers also created a masterpiece by Ruth Carter, who created 2,100 costumes for the film. Style is a new "Latino-Future" style; which was executed beautifully and as well represented the Myana culture. The "feathers" we see on Namora's headpiece remind me of a Lionfish fin. The main reason why I pointed this out is that lionfish are found in The Gulf of Mexico and it is an amazing detail that shows how their designer brought the touch of Talokan.
This is an amazing detail since they come from an underwater kingdom. The jewels of green and pearls are tied to a lot by the style of the jewelry they wear we get Myana and the feeling of Atlantis. Which is from the Marvel comics Namor is from Atlantis but the incorporation of Myan culture into the movie brings me a lot of joy and I feel represented. As one of the last people with indigenous in my family, it was nice to see that on the big screen.
Overall, I would recommend seeing this movie. If you miss King T'challa, or if you just want to see a good movie. Namor would be by far a personal favorite villain that's been introduced into this new phase four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.