Content Warning: slight spoilers regarding new movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 

With the death of actor Chadwick Boseman, the original Black Panther, the character was left hanging on edge and many issues surfaced from the new movie. 

The new movie, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, would have the titular role taken on by King T’Challa’s sister, Shuri, played by Letitia Wright, but with Black Panther movie having millions of fans, many were wary if the new movie would hold up to the standard. How would Wakanda rule with a different leader and protector, or continue to embrace the culture of Wakanda with a new character?

Returning to the world and following the new life of Shuri, we find her in a difficult state trying to protect her country from being intruded by supposed allies. After talking with newly introduced character Namor, played by Mexican actor Tenoch Huerta, she was able to resonate with the rising city of Talokan, who are being affected by those supposed allies. 

Several people felt that Shuri did not have the strong personality or “power” for the role, leaving me with the expectation that this is where the movie would crumble and lose its spark. But with everyone having their own qualities, Shuri’s strong quality is her intelligence and efficiency with technology. But no, I couldn’t help but be in awe of her commitment in understanding Namor’s story. She made her own decisions on matters and was slowly transitioning into a true leader for the sake of her people. 

We were shown another society/culture with the new character Namor. I got to see a representation of a Latino who looks like the majority of Latinos. Other than the huge threat that Namor was, I couldn’t help but resonate with him for his drive to defend his people and empire.

However, moving towards the end of the movie the more conflict started to rise, and where many would be pleased with the ending or disappointed. Wakanda is attacked and leaves Shuri in yet again disbelief and grief. She’s reminded of her need for revenge, and takes the precautions to be able to take action. While I didn’t agree with Shuri’s way of handling things throughout the war that took place, it was her public mourning and the mourning that continued to sneak up on her with all its associated pain. But it paid off in the end when she made the decision of the type of leader she wanted to be. 

We were all able to experience the loss she had felt over and over again and how she would determine the amount of time she  would stay in the pained position, and I think it was a beautiful way of embracing Wakanda. 

The original Black Panther movie being one of Marvel’s most popular films, I was left questioning the meaning of the new movie or comparing it to its prequels. 

With the film being about process, grieving, mourning and what comes next, I was very captivated with the woman-lead sequel, the film excelled my expectations on many levels. The absence of Boseman is consistently referred to in the film and designed to pick up the pieces after a light that was so large had been extinguished. 

To me this movie came together, I was entertained with the new atmosphere we were in, the technology, and the women power bleeding out of the movie. I valued the Latino representation. Wakanda is continuing to rebuild and adjust with its new leader and Black Panther with all of its love.  While the legacy of King T’Challa is still shining throughout the movie, while all of the doubt beforehand was needed for preparation of the change, the movie was a beautiful transition for the future Black Panther movies. But most of all, every part of this film was a lover letter for Wakanda.