Why Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Is Winning Over Marvel Fans Again

With the next Avengers instalment, Doomsday, just around the corner, Marvel enthusiasts are taking a stroll down memory lane, giving a fresh look at some of the standout titles from earlier phases. While Phase 5 had its moments—Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was a hit, and Deadpool and Wolverine smashed it at the box office—many reckon the rest of the line-up was a bit average. Some, like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, didn’t exactly win over the crowd. So, as anticipation builds for Spider-Man: Brand New Day and the much-hyped Avengers: Doomsday, fans are finding themselves drawn back to the gems of the past.

One film in particular, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, has been getting heaps of love lately. A recent discussion online saw punters sharing why this sequel, directed by Ryan Coogler, deserves more recognition. The original poster, going by Educational-Tea-6572, pointed out that the film’s longer runtime actually worked in its favour, giving all the new faces and storylines room to breathe. They also praised the decision not to recast the late Chadwick Boseman, saying the film did a top job of exploring themes of grief and loss.

Emotional Depth and Character Journeys

Others chimed in, highlighting the emotional journey of Shuri.

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 shared. Another added,

There’s so much depth and intentionality in the film that I don’t often see discussed so I appreciate your post.

Another viewer drew parallels between Shuri’s arc and T’Challa’s journey in Civil War, calling it a fitting tribute both within the story and as a nod to the late actor.

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,

they said.

New Faces and Fresh Perspectives

With Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, and Angela Bassett leading the cast, the film opens with the kingdom mourning T’Challa’s passing. Shuri and Queen Ramonda are forced to put their sorrow aside when Namor, played by Tenoch Huerta, emerges as a new threat after outsiders try to get their hands on vibranium.

Fans were especially taken with Namor’s portrayal.

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,

one person wrote. The Aztec-inspired elements and Namor’s unique look, including his ankle wings, were a hit.

The actor who portrayed him was really good, too,

another added.

Handling Grief and Family Bonds

Some even went as far as to say Wakanda Forever outshines the original.

I think [Wakanda Forever] is better than [Black Panther],

one bold fan claimed.

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.

For those keen to catch up, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is currently streaming. With more Marvel films and shows on the horizon, including Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Avengers: Doomsday, Secret Wars, and X-Men, there’s plenty for fans to look forward to. Which upcoming title are you most excited about?