Why Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Is Winning Over MCU Fans
As excitement mounts for Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel enthusiasts are revisiting Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, applauding its emotional resonance, thoughtful pacing, and distinctive exploration of loss.
With the next Avengers instalment on the horizon and anticipation swirling around Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Marvel’s recent output has come under the microscope. Phase 5, for all its promise, left many feeling a bit underwhelmed. While Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 delivered, and Deadpool and Wolverine made a proper splash at the box office, other entries—Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania springs to mind—didn’t quite land. It’s little wonder, then, that fans are casting their minds back to earlier chapters, finding fresh appreciation for what came before.
One such title drawing renewed attention is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. A recent discussion on Reddit saw a user, Educational-Tea-6572, share their thoughts after a rewatch, sparking a wave of praise for Ryan Coogler’s sequel. The film’s measured pace and extended runtime were singled out, with the original poster noting, “the extra half hour really helped so all the many different character introductions and plot elements had time to breathe.” They also commended the decision not to recast Chadwick Boseman’s role, and the film’s “phenomenal job” in portraying grief and loss.
Exploring Grief and Growth
Others chimed in, reflecting on the film’s emotional core.
“I loved Shuri’s crisis of faith. It kinda mirrored mine. It felt like a coming of age story in a lot of ways and I loved that about the film,”
one fan remarked, highlighting the depth and intention woven throughout. Another observed,
“I love how Shuri’s arc is similar to that of T’Challa’s arc in Civil War as a sort of tribute to that character both in and out of universe. It works as a lesson she had to learn and a tribute, but flips it just enough that it feels unique to who she is and what she is going through.”
Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, and Angela Bassett lead the cast, with the story opening on the kingdom mourning T’Challa’s passing. Shuri and Queen Ramonda are forced to set aside their sorrow when Namor, played by Tenoch Huerta, emerges from the depths, threatening Wakanda after outside forces attempt to seize vibranium.
Namor’s Impact and Cultural Shift
Namor’s introduction drew particular attention.
“I love what they did with Namor. Instead of another ‘Aquaman’ (I know Namor was published first), they gave him a different culture that was pretty cool,”
wrote one viewer, praising the Aztec-inspired elements and the actor’s performance. The ankle wings, a detail some doubted would translate well, were met with approval. Namor’s presence, it seems, offered something distinct from the usual villain fare.
Another fan went so far as to say,
“I think [Wakanda Forever] is better than [Black Panther]. Real life tragedy aside, I really love how they handle grief, anger, themes of revenge and family bonds. Everyone brings their A-game in terms of acting. It’s beautifully shot and Namor is a fantastic addition. He’s not your by-the-numbers villain and that’s something the MCU is lacking.”
Looking Ahead
With Black Panther: Wakanda Forever now available to stream, the conversation continues as fans debate which upcoming Marvel project excites them most—be it Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Avengers: Doomsday, Secret Wars, or the long-awaited X-Men. For now, though, it’s clear that Wakanda Forever’s thoughtful approach to loss and legacy has struck a chord, offering something that lingers long after the credits roll.