Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
A movie that transcends emotions and connects at a deeper level with the audience
A movie is designed to be seen in a theatre. It’s an experience of transcendence. A journey into a world drawn by countless women and men working behind the screen to produce that final 120 minutes of audio-video experience. To that, it is just if we judge it solely by the theatre experience. For a person, walking into the theatre and coming out after watching Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, I can say a deeper connection is made. The movie touches on multiple dimensions of human life without giving a direct stance. It lets you think for yourself.
I write this while “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna plays on a loop. These are just my observations after watching the movie. My two cents of what I feel and notice. It is not a review or a criticism. I am nobody to comment on the work of these amazing people behind the movie.
Emotions
Breaking Norms
Women carrying the coffin at the start of the movie shatters the norms. Clearly showing to the audience right out of the gate, this is not going to be a conventional experience. This scene was saddening yet inspiring. And the music from Rihanna gives chills, especially when you focus on the lyrics. The coffin lifting up and this song, make perfect sense.
Another thing to notice is everyone wearing white in times of death.
Preserving Nature
Wakanda is set amidst the hills. This is shown in the pan shots in the beginning. The highly developed city rests beautifully among the hills. The hills are untouched and green.
Death and Mourning
Death can be deeply traumatic. It is sensible we dance to overcome it. And when we have mourned, we may move on enough to live and breathe. They mourn for Black Panther’s death with a communal dance. Later, in their privacy, they burn their clothes (after a year), to move on. Sometimes, this is the time when we collapse and let go. Everything is built up. This letting go is essential. It lets us forgive.
Questioning traditions
When Shuri tells her close companions, they find it hard to believe there is vibranium outside Wakanda. It goes against the stories that have been passed on from generations and everything they believed about Wakanda.
Modernism and upholding traditions
The movie shows a perfect play of modernism living with traditions.
Slavery and Colonialism
The origin story of Namor covers these aspects and lets the audience sink it in.
Realism
The realism in a superhero movie is rare. Wakanda Forever does it perfectly. The fight scenes, and the super-power backstories in history and science.
Spiritualism
The origin story of Namor also covers spiritualism. The use of aquatic weeds to cure didn’t go as expected.
Vengeance
Shuri orders the attack in vengeance. This is further highlighted by her push in the conversation with M’Baku, leader of the Jabari tribe.
Film making skills
Act I, done right
The movie's first half sets up the obstacle high enough that the audience cares and cannot predict what will happen. Wakanda is not strong enough to win over Talukan. And it is not a clear fight for destruction too. Strategy and diplomacy are involved, and each character's incentives make sense.
Act II, done fast
Movies sometimes drag and the sense of time is lost. Right after intermission, the Talukans attack Wakanda. Even the audience is taken aback.
Act III, silence
The tribute to Chadwick Boseman can melt the hardest hearts.
Few Expositions
There are two main exposition scenes in the movie done naturally.
- Shuri explains the tech to her mother, at the movie's beginning.
- Riri explained her tech to Shuri and Okoye.
Covering Plotholes
- In the first half, it seems the bracelet found by Ross at the bridge is improbable. Someone from the CIA must have spotted it. In the second half of the movie, it is covered that it was a trap by Contessa.
