Here, the country of Wakanda momentarily mourns for the passing of T'Challa, the rightful ruler of Wakanda, also known as The Black Panther, and takes time to celebrate all that he left behind. But the primary focus is on the principal players in the film, and those directly connected to the life of T'Challa, as they grieve each in their own way. Shuri, his sister, is the last to grieve, instead choosing to retreat to her laboratory in the hopes of saving many more lives through science and technology -- for which she was unable to do and failed in her attempt to save her brother from a fatal illness. While the rest of the world is sympathetic to the plight of the country, they nonetheless are concerned about the unauthorized use of Vibranium for weapons, and the country's insistence on protecting the valuable resource. When the underwater resident known as Prince Namor, also known to comic book fans as Sub-Mariner, starts to wreck havoc on the surface world, Wakanda is the prime suspect. Here, Shuri and her mother, Queen Ramonda, must wage war against the underwater citizens led by the vile Namor, while holding their own. It is during the climatic battle that the meaning of life is found not through violence, but through the grief Shuri has for her brother's untimely death.
Along the way, another Marvel superhero is introduced: Siri, who also known as Iron Heart. And, once again, the villainous Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, also known to comic book fans as Madame Hydra, continues to either recruit a new superhero or eliminate a pawn off the board, leading us to what will ultimately become a major problem in a future Marvel movie. Tenoch Huerta is perfect for the role of Sub-Mariner, but the film's true star is Angela Bassett who delivers a powerhouse performances that is worthy of an Oscar nomination.
The good folks at Marvel Studios are not afraid to try something different. Like most of their movies, this sequel does not follow the same formula applied in the former entry, offering us a totally new story. In this case, an emotional tale led by a superb soundtrack that emphasizes the mood of each scene. This is why Marvel continues to dominate the box office. Daring storytelling that emphasizes rebirth through love, loss and forgiveness.
Summed up, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (along with Prey and Top Gun: Maverick) is one of the top three movies of the year.
