Thanks to Marvel Studios for inviting me to a free advance screening of BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER before the movie officially opens the weekend of November 11. The movie is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for sequences of intense action, violence and language. From a dad's perspective though despite the MPAA rating, there really isn't content in the film that should preclude the average superhero movie loving elementary school aged kid from seeing it along with a parent. There isn't any nudity or sexual content, gory violence or troubling cursing that raised warning flags for this geek dad; but the film does address death both through sickness and warfare that parents will want to make sure a child is mature enough to emotionally handle.
Our screening at a local MJR Theatre had one of the most diverse audiences in regard to both age and ethnicity that I've ever shared a movie watching experience with. There was an electricity in the room for the enthusiasm for the show to begin where for this moment in time everyone was the same -- a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The vibe only got more pumped up as we were treated to a special performance of musical artists playing African drums before the action started on the silver screen. I was geeked to be in attendance at this screening of BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER.
Some impressive pre-movie entertainment in the theater at the Detroit advance screening of @theblackpanther #WakandaForever pic.twitter.com/FaU6gNxyOn
— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) November 10, 2022
There has been a lot of buzz about how will the Black Panther franchise go on without the charismatic Chadwick Boseman which has been amplified by the secrecy of Wakanda Forever's plot by Marvel Studios. I have to admit there is a noticeable void in the movie without Boseman that in my humble opinion no other Wakanda character suitably fills. Ironically, despite the title WAKANDA FOREVER, it is Tenoch Huerta who plays the film's nemesis Namor, the leader of a lost tribe of Mayans who escaped Spanish Conquistadors by becoming water-breathing undersea inhabitants, that counters Boseman's absence the most. These Talokens are similar to the Wakandans in the first Black Panther movie as they have stayed hidden for generations from the rest of the world and have access to their own supply of the super rare ore vibranium.
I have to admit finding myself rooting for the Taloken "bad guys" based upon the genocide their ancestors fled from and the environmentally ravaging, militaristic behavior of the societies that dominate the mainland now which Namor's people observe from afar. So obviously, Namor's people feel threatened when surface dwellers start exploring their underwater domain with a new high-tech device that can scan for and detect vibranium for the first time. How this devolves into a deadly conflict with the Talokens and Wakandans though felt a bit forced and contrived but makes for some great action scenes in the film.
BLACK PANTHER: WAKANADA FOREVER shows how cancer and diseases can be as dangerous to overcome as aliens, monsters and superhuman villains. How even King T'Challa, the ruler of the most technologically advanced society on Earth and heroic Black Panther, couldn't defeat an illness. A theme that should be relatable to all of us in today's COVID pandemic era. Yet life moves on!
This film is more about saying good-bye to Chadwick Boseman and introducing Tenoch Huerta as Namor to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is more about being a bridge to future Marvel Studios movies than being its own Black Panther adventure despite the film's title. For fans invested in Marvel's cinematic universe the movie is packed with information that builds upon canon and is interesting drama but those just looking for a popcorn munching superhero romp may be disappointed.
Overall, I enjoyed the movie and it earns a Geek Daddy nod of approval from my being more satisfied than disappointed by it. While I'm glad I saw Wakanda Forever though compared to the original Black Panther that I've liked enough to watch numerous times this one for me is probably a one and done for me. Heads up too if you see this movie don't leave early you absolutely want to watch every minute of it plus the mid-credit scene too for the real future of the Black Panther to be revealed to you.
If you head out to the movie theater to see BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER share your thoughts about the movie with me by tweeting to @Geekdad248. This movie geek always enjoys hearing from you!
