At just about fifteen years of age, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has experienced a lot of tragedy — offscreen as well as onscreen. Fifty two actors — with William Hurt recently joining the roster — have passed away since the film series began drawing attention from around the world.
Few of these were as hard-hitting as Chadwick Boseman’s demise at the hands of colon cancer, a condition kept secret from the public eye as well as Marvel Studios. His death at just 43 years of age, therefore, had a massive impact on the future of his character, its Wakandan legacy, and much of Marvel’s Phase Four storyline — all of which seem to have been handled deftly by the studio themselves.
Critics have got their hands on initial reviews of Wakanda Forever earlier this week, and have almost unanimously praised the film’s scope, ambition, and execution — gearing fans up for what may be one of the most emotional and poignant superhero films made. Here’s what they have to say:
David Ehrlich, IndieWire
‘Weak action and forced MCU subplots keep “Wakanda Forever” from greatness, but its emotional undercurrents run deeper than any Marvel movie.’
Jake Coyle, Associated Press
‘Like someone going through the stages of grief, Ryan Coogler’s movie is at turns mournful and rootless, full of rage and blessed with clarity.’
Charles Pulliam, The Verge
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever plays like the triumphant celebration of an idea, the mournful farewell to an actual hero, and a promise of even greater things to come all rolled into one.’
Ross Bonaime, Collider
‘Like most of the cast, Wakanda Forever feels like a film that is uncertain of how to move forward without T’Challa and Boseman, but Coogler handles this doubt with grace and love, a beautiful testament to what has been lost, and a reminder that death isn’t the end of a person’s legacy.’
Sheraz Farooqi, CinemaDebate
‘Marvel allowed Ryan Coogler to flex his directing muscles unfettered, allowing for an incredible film that does not feel encumbered by superhero tropes. At times, Wakanda Forever can a tad longer than it needs to and the action sequences in the third act leave a little more to be desired, but these are small nitpicks in an overall strong film.’
Apart from the film itself, the soundtrack has also — in true Black Panther fashion — generated a lot of online interest with its diverse list of contributors such as Tems, Fireboy DML, OG DAYV, Future, CKay, PinkPantheress, E-40 and many more.
The producers even went out of their way to set up recording sessions in Nigera and Mexico, given the film’s cultural inspirations, and the scale here is pretty unprecedented too — over 250 musicians, two orchestras, two choirs, and over 40 vocalists joined forces to craft the film’s soundtrack.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits theatres on Nov. 11.
Lead Image: Marvel Studios
