Opened: November 11, 2022

Directed by: Ryan Coogler

Starring: Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Florence Kasumba, Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena, Tenoch Huerta Mejía, Martin Freeman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Isaach de Bankolé, Danny Sapani, Dorothy Steel, Connie Chiume, Trevor Noah, Alex Livinalli, María Mercedes Coroy, Lake Bell, Robert John Burke, Richard Schiff, Kamaru Usman, Divine Love Konadu-Sun, Anderson Cooper & Michael B. Jordan

Acting as a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever allows for a grieving process while also showing how the series can continue without him.

After the death of T’Challa (Boseman), Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) and Princess Shuri (Letitia Wright) mourn his loss. Ramonda fights against outside interest in vibranium but learns an underwater tribe led by Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía) has their own supply.

Bassett gives a masterclass in acting by showing strength and power alongside her hurt. Like the first film, the strength of the female characters drive the story with fantastic performances from Wright, Lupita Nyong’o and Danai Gurira.

The film runs a bit long and gets lost as it balances pain and action, but it proves that there’s strength in this story to move forward.

Final say: A new Black Panther rises. ★★★★☆