As much as I dislike the immense popularity and acclaim afforded to modern superhero movies (superheroes are not real!), I also have to admit that some of them are pretty good.  Black Panther was pretty good.  So is its sequel, which is much more somber and thoughtful than I expected.  It raises many questions about the modern world and the way it works (not to mention about Wakanda itself), and it doesn’t have all the answers, which is as it should be.

Ryan Coogler’s sequel begins and ends with tribute to T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), a nice, very effective gesture which I greatly appreciate.  Chadwick Boseman was an excellent, hugely likable actor who tragically died long before he should have.  I love his characters in 42, Draft Day and 16 Bridges, and recognize that Black Panther made him an international favorite.  Bosewick’s death undoubtedly threw a big wrench into Marvel’s plans for the future, but they have adapted by acknowledging T’Challa’s passing and carrying on without him.

Coogler’s story has Wakanda facing a new threat, the underwater kingdom of Talokan, led by Namor (Tenoch Huerta).  Talokan has its own vibranium and wants to keep it secret from the surface world, which is hunting for a non-Wakandan source for the powerful substance.  When Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) refuses to help the Talokans Wakanda becomes their first foe, despite the efforts of Shuri (Letitia Wright) to keep the peace.  Meanwhile, America moves to protect its own interests as the threat arises.

So there is a lot going on.  The film takes its time to dramatize each scenario and then punctuates them with brisk, spectacular action sequences.  Eventually compromise is reached and the world powers settle into new relationships, which is the way it should be.  Yet Wakanda suffers more than the others.  Instead of one figure, an Iron Man or a Black Widow, enduring extreme adversity and having to rise again, this time it’s an entire country, minus some of their lost leaders.  What makes the story worthwhile is that these life lessons are deserved, and hard earned.  Shuri sees firsthand how unique and cool the Talokan empire is, and yet she cannot prevent war.  And in war, everyone suffers.

There are undoubtedly sociological points to this story which I do not recognize, but which add to its meaning.  What I do see, and appreciate, is how important grief is to these characters, how it dictates their behaviors and futures.  For that reason alone, Wakanda Forever is a good and enduring film.  It may disappoint viewers who want nonstop action and glib banter, but life is more complex and serious than that.  Thankfully, so is this movie.  ☆ ☆ ☆.  13 January 2023.