Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: A Woke Fantasy

Marvel Studios has done it again, folks. "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" hit theaters in November 2022, and it's a cinematic spectacle that takes place in the fictional African nation of Wakanda. Directed by Ryan Coogler, this sequel to the 2018 blockbuster "Black Panther" is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and follows the people of Wakanda as they fight to protect their home from intervening world powers. But let's be real, this movie is less about superheroes and more about pushing a woke agenda.

First off, the film is a blatant attempt to capitalize on identity politics. The original "Black Panther" was praised for its representation, but "Wakanda Forever" takes it to a whole new level. It's as if the filmmakers were more concerned with checking off diversity boxes than telling a compelling story. The movie is packed with strong female characters, which is great, but it feels forced and pandering. It's as if the filmmakers are screaming, "Look at us! We're progressive!" instead of letting the characters naturally shine.

The plot itself is a convoluted mess. The film tries to tackle too many issues at once, from colonialism to environmentalism, and ends up being a jumbled narrative that lacks focus. It's as if the writers threw every social justice issue they could think of into a blender and hoped for the best. The result is a movie that feels more like a lecture than an entertaining superhero flick.

And let's talk about the villain, Namor. Instead of being a complex character with understandable motivations, he's portrayed as a one-dimensional antagonist whose main purpose is to serve as a foil to the Wakandans. It's a missed opportunity to create a nuanced character, but instead, we get a stereotypical bad guy with a flimsy backstory.

The film's pacing is another issue. At over two and a half hours long, "Wakanda Forever" drags on with unnecessary subplots and filler scenes. It's as if the filmmakers were trying to make up for the lack of a strong central narrative by cramming in as much content as possible. The result is a bloated movie that could have benefited from some serious editing.

The visual effects, while impressive, can't save the film from its shortcomings. Sure, the action sequences are thrilling, and the CGI is top-notch, but without a solid story to back it up, it all feels hollow. It's like putting lipstick on a pig; no matter how pretty it looks, it's still a pig.

And let's not forget the pandering to the liberal elite. The film is filled with not-so-subtle nods to current political issues, from climate change to immigration. It's as if the filmmakers are trying to score points with the Hollywood elite by aligning themselves with the "right" causes. But in doing so, they alienate a large portion of their audience who just want to enjoy a superhero movie without being preached to.

In the end, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" is a missed opportunity. It could have been a powerful film that honored the legacy of the original while telling a compelling story. Instead, it's a bloated, preachy mess that prioritizes political messaging over entertainment. Marvel may have thought they were making a bold statement, but in reality, they've created a film that will be remembered more for its agenda than its artistry.