With the red carpet premiere concluded, The verdict is in for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and critics are raving over this Marvel sequel as an emotional yet dark follow-up from director Ryan Coogler – with most praises showered at Tenoch Huerta’s Namor. Nonetheless, Shuri (Letitia Wright) in her new sleek Panther Habit steals the show, as many early reactions have cryptically highlighted, here’s what the journalists that were in attendance of the purple carpet premiere had to say about this potential blockbuster — some like critic Germain Lussier has hyped the mid-credits scene as the best by far in Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Black Panther 2 is in for a monstrous opening at the box office upon its release this November. And any Marvel fans in doubt can rest assured of its success by taking a look at the early critic’s reactions on social media. This sequel to 2018’s Black Panther which featured the late Chadwick Boseman honors his character with a tribute. But while addressing the loss of its King, The technologically advanced Kingdom is also forced to face a powerful threat, the underwater world of Talocan (Atlantis reimagined for MCU live-action) led by Namor.
Aside from Huerta, most of the early reactions have applauded Angela Bassett’s performance as Queen Ramonda, some even suggesting it’s worthy of an Oscar nomination. “Cathartic” is a word that several critics have used to describe Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Furthermore, The second installment seems to largely center on war, grief, loss and legacy. But hardcore Black Panther fans better brace for a teary-eyed exit.
Even so, amid all the heartwrenching moments and twists, MCU’s much loved humor is felt in Black Panther 2, in fact, as a critics choice member said, “Dominique Thorne as Ironheart was the perfect comic relief for the film.” so Riri Williams fans can rejoice. All in all, the tribute to Boseman/T’Challa could be the most impactful moving experience for fans.
Ryan Coogler's #BlackPantherWakandaForever, above all else, is cathartic. An emotional movie about loss, legacy and healing. The story is intimate, but vast with global power struggles and palace intrigue. Tenoch Huerta's Namor is a FORCE, better than I hoped. So much to discuss. pic.twitter.com/cDFVcPYHRR
— Sean O'Connell (@Sean_OConnell) October 27, 2022
#BlackPanther Wakanda Forever is excellent. An immensely powerful story of forging forward — shattering at times, but also beautifully cathartic and heartening. Cannot get over how well the film earns that title. pic.twitter.com/jYZedeJgT1
— Perribite (@PNemiroff) October 27, 2022
Black Panther: #WakandaForever is as epic as Marvel sequels get. The story is hugely ambitious & thematically rewarding with gut-wrenching twists and turns throughout. You feel the length but it’s fun, wildly beautiful and has the best credits scene in Marvel history, no contest. pic.twitter.com/zD8nYIFKXC
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) October 27, 2022
Rihanna fans, rejoice! You're getting TWO new songs with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. They're called Lift Me Up and Born Again and they both play during the credits.
— Lando (@orlandoenelcine) October 27, 2022
#WakandaForever is outstanding. It handles loss, grief and revenge with a maturity and seriousness rarely seen in the MCU. Black Panther continues to be their crown jewel. Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett and Tenoch Huerta all bring some of the best acting I've seen all year. pic.twitter.com/ECqGxfEyFi
— Lando (@orlandoenelcine) October 27, 2022
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever feels like a war movie. It's emotional, heavy, intense & phenomenal. Namor is an incredible & powerful villain. #WakandaForever focuses on grief, loss, & vengeance. You aren't ready for the Marvel logo & mid credit. It honors Chadwick perfectly. pic.twitter.com/glFAFgKX9i
— Tessa Smith – Mama's Geeky (@MamasGeeky) October 27, 2022
I know you don’t believe when people come out of a world premiere and say a movie is awesome….but #BlackPantherWakandaForever is a fantastic sequel and a great movie. I knew it’d be emotional and it was. Expect your eyes to leak. Great job #RyanCoogler pic.twitter.com/unJDi8VGRt
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) October 27, 2022
#BlackPantherWakandaForever is a beautiful tribute to Chadwick Boseman. Visual stunner, with Angela Bassett commanding every scene she inhabits. Rihanna's "Lift Me Up" will do that for many. Another great post credit scene that's genuinely a jaw-dropper. Don't know about Oscars. pic.twitter.com/55YSor1PrD
— Clayton Davis – Stand with 🇺🇦 (@ByClaytonDavis) October 27, 2022
#BlackPanther #WakandaForever is epic, especially in scope.
Namor is one of the better villains the MCU has had to offer. Tenoch Huerta just kills it!
Emotions are heavy. Ryan Coogler ups his game on the action. It’s a lot to take in, balance so much, and is powerfully good. pic.twitter.com/NYxk1UvTYz
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) October 27, 2022
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was filled with a rich, captivating story and was jam-packed with action. I truly enjoyed this movie from beginning to end! Also Dominique Thorne as Ironheart was the perfect comic relief for the film. #WakandaForever
— Jamie Broadnax is in Wakanda (@JamieBroadnax) October 27, 2022
Just saw #BlackPantherWakandaForever If you’re looking for that Marvel feel that has been missing, this is it. Emotional, maybe 10 minutes too long, but who cares? Overall, a throwback to what made Marvel special in the first place. A beautiful tribute to Chadwick Boseman.
— Kristian Harloff (@KristianHarloff) October 27, 2022
Black Panther Wakanda Forever makes it clear how precious Chadwick Boseman and T’Challa were to the MCU. Without him, the film sometimes yearns for a heartbeat. It finds it at just the right moments, and it’s exhilarating. I can’t wait to see it again.
— Erik Voss (@eavoss) October 27, 2022
#WakandaForever is fantastic! Coogler delivers a soulful, wondrous sequel that packs an emotional punch & effectively explores relevant world themes. A beautiful tribute to Boseman’s legacy. Letitia & Tenoch are great, & the mid-credits scene is really moving. #BlackPanther pic.twitter.com/dqoSSfnTR9
— Fico (@FicoCangiano) October 27, 2022
Black Panther: #WakandaForever is Marvel's most poignant and powerful film to date. It's heavy and dark in the way that it needed to be, and mostly abandons the studio's trademark tone. The craft work levels up in every conceivable way, and the performances rise to the occasion. pic.twitter.com/aAK7jjRMra
— Brian Davids (@PickYourBrian) October 27, 2022
In terms of drawbacks, journalists like Matt Ramos called it a “step down from the first film” though still appreciated the world-building and Talocan’s debut which could be explored in a separate MCU project. In addition, the runtime, as one reviewer put it, is “maybe 10 minutes too long, but who cares?” so it doesn’t seem to be an issue that could impact viewers’ experience.
#WakandaForever is a definitely a step down from the first film. It has great qualities in Letitia’s performance, NAMOR & the action but there’s a lot that just didn’t sit right with me that I can’t explain without getting into spoilers. I’ll explain more once the film comes out.
— Matt Ramos (@therealsupes) October 27, 2022
WAKANA FOREVER isn’t as good as BLACK PANTHER (I mean, how could it be?), but even so, it’s still a mixed bag. The first half is slow, hard to follow and lacks focus, but it gets better as it goes, and the last 30 minutes are great with an emotional payoff. Letter grade: B- pic.twitter.com/wwf31Q9ZEI
— Scott Mantz (@MovieMantz) October 27, 2022
Rihanna‘s “Lift Me Up” single seems to be the cherry on top that made Black Panther: Wakanda Forever an impressive first-time watch for many critics. Another single, Born Again by Rihanna was also part of the film, both songs are played during the credits.
Rihanna fans, rejoice! You're getting TWO new songs with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. They're called Lift Me Up and Born Again and they both play during the credits.
— Lando (@orlandoenelcine) October 27, 2022
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever releases on November 11.
