Why Black Panther 2's Reviews Are So Positive (& What Critics Don't Like)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe keeps expanding, and closing its Phase 4 is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the sequel to Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther, and so far, it’s being praised by critics. Although the MCU is currently in its Multiverse Saga and thus exploring the dangers and mysteries of the multiverse, it’s also taking time to continue the stories of already-established characters, as is the case of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which will reunite the audience with the royal family of Wakanda.

Set after the events of Avengers: Endgame, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will see the leaders of the kingdom of Wakanda fighting to protect their nation from invading forces following the death of King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman). Shuri and company will face a new threat emerging from the hidden undersea nation of Tālocān, ruled by Namor (Tenoch Huerta), who is referred to as the feathered serpent god K’uk’ulkan. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is coming to theaters on November 11, 2022, and it’s already winning critics over, though they have also pointed out some of the movie’s weaknesses.

What Critics Are Praising About Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

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At the time of writing, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever holds an 85% score on Rotten Tomatoes, giving it a “fresh” certification based on around 150 reviews so far, so it can go higher or slightly lower after the movie’s release. Those who have given Black Panther: Wakanda Forever a positive review agree that it’s an ambitious and emotional journey that explores grief in different ways, all of them fitting with the fantasy universe that is the MCU. With T’Challa now with his ancestors, the once supporting characters in Black Panther are now pushed to center stage, and there’s particular praise for the performance of Letitia Wright as Shuri, though those of Danai Gurira as Okoye, Winston Duke as M’Baku, and Angela Bassett as Queen Ramonda are also being pointed out as part of the strength of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

However, when it comes to the performances in Black Panther 2, the majority of critics agree that Tenoch Huerta steals the show, as he brings a mysterious, seductive, but also menacing villain. Namor’s scenes with Shuri are also being pointed out as some of the best in Black Panther 2, and Namor’s backstory, which combines real history/mythology and MCU lore, is also catching the attention of critics in the best way. In addition to that, Coogler’s storytelling keeps getting better and, in this case, he manages to bring out a whole range of emotions throughout the story. Here’s what the positive reviews of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever are saying.

Empire

“Namor, meanwhile (played by Tenoch Huerta, a magnetic presence), makes for a unique antagonist. He's a highlight, an imaginative adaptation of the veteran comics character, one who here speaks truth with convincing venom. Coogler ties him to Mesoamerican history and Spanish colonialism, and there’s a sense — like Wakanda — of a tangible, real-world history. In both Wakanda and Talokan, there is beautiful costuming and production design from Hannah Beachler and Ruth Carter, respectively; and lush photography from cinematographer Autumn Durald, who maintains precision and clarity in the action.”

AV Club

“Although a bit of cognitive dissonance is required to process the very real death of the first film’s lead actor in a world where characters come back to life with an ease that feels especially cavalier, Coogler treats Boseman’s absence with extreme sensitivity and reverence, using his characters’ sadness to help viewers, and one imagines the filmmakers, work through their own. A funereal tone hangs over every scene, and gives the motivations of its new villain added dimensions as he and the Wakandans engage in uncommonly complex—and thrillingly unresolved—discussions about military might, cultural sovereignty, and the balance between justice and vengeance. [...] Then again, it’s a testament to Coogler’s skill as a storyteller that he’s getting better and better at making viewers experience complicated and contradictory feelings in stories that for better or worse are too frequently known for empty crowd-pleasing.”

The Verge

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a bigger, more ambitious, and more stirringly poignant endeavor than its predecessor. But it doesn’t feel like the product of a studio merely trying to make a financially successful follow-up to one of its most popular and well-regarded films. Rather, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever plays like the triumphant celebration of an idea, the mournful farewell to an actual hero, and a promise of even greater things to come all rolled into one. [...] Huerta brings a raw magnetism to his performance as a Namor who’s always just as ready to charm as he is to murder while sizing up other monarchs he deems worthy of his recognition and presence. In particular, scenes between Namor and Shuri stand out not for their visually dazzling qualities but because of the crackling intensity of the current running between them — two conflicted figureheads of state trying to be strategic about how they interact.”

Mashable

“Attempting to fill the void left by Boseman, Wright must get serious, furrowing her brow to discuss matters of state, family legacy, and emotional growth. She handles this shift well, bringing a maturity to the pesky little sister without entirely losing her bear-poking edge. Danai Gurira's Okoye bears the brunt of her pestering now, which gives the kick-ass action star a chance to play more with comedy this time around, while Winston Duke returns with a big grin and bigger energy to the role of M'Baku. As for Lupita Nyong'o, without T'Challa as her lover, her part has become a puzzle piece connecting plot lines — but she's nonetheless dazzling in this service role. Meanwhile, Bassett is a queen through and through, delivering Ramonda's every pronouncement with such bone-deep assuredness that it's absolutely exhilarating.”

TotalFilm

“Huerta makes for a terrific anti-hero and nemesis, seductive and sympathetic (until he isn’t) but imposing, and his people’s ocean attack – heralded by eerie siren song – is nightmarish. They certainly make quite the entrance: always bring a whale to a punch-up. [...] Even if the action does turn crowded towards the climax, there’s plenty to grip, thrill, and keep you claw-sharp, from Ludwig Göransson’s extravagantly full-bodied score to a wet 'n' wild ocean ruckus.”

What Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's Negative Reviews Say

Tenoch Huerta as Namor in Black Panther 2

Naturally, not every aspect of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is being praised by critics, and even those that were praised by some are being criticized by others. A common complaint about Black Panther 2 is its plot, which covers too much, and not even its runtime (of almost three hours) is enough to cover, develop, and close each storyline, with some critics going as far as to say that the word “plot” doesn’t apply much here (via Telegraph). The oversaturated plot seems to get worse during the last act, and it doesn’t help that the visuals and cinematography are also quite messy, far from the outstanding ones in Black Panther. Some scenes in Black Panther 2 are too dark and many others are either blurry or with a dull color palette that does no justice to the hard work of the makeup and costume departments.

Another weakness of Black Panther 2 is its supporting cast-turned-main cast. While most critics agree that the performances of Wright, Gurira, Duke, and Bassett are great, some of them felt they weren’t strong enough to take the lead in Boseman’s absence, leaving Namor as the lead character – but as this is a superhero movie, the villain shouldn’t be the most important and compelling character. The introduction of Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) is also being pointed out as one of the less exciting elements of Black Panther 2, as she’s only used as a plot device and doesn’t do much to stand out – though, then again, the movie covers too much. Here’s what the negative reviews of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever are saying.

Roger Ebert

“The hulking script is chock-full of ideas and themes. Rather than fighting their common enemy (white colonists), two kingdoms helmed by people of color are pitted against each other (an idea that never thematically lands), and the film must delve into the cultural pain that still exists from the historical annihilation of Central and South America’s Indigenous kingdoms. It must also contend with a bevy of other requirements: setting up the Marvel TV series “Ironheart” (which Dominique Thorne will star in), acknowledging The Snap, grieving Boseman’s death, and finding a new Black Panther. These competing interests are no less smoothed out by MCU’s blockbuster demands (that this must be a mainstream hit and usher in the next phase of the cinematic universe) and the weight of satiating Black folks who feel seen by the fantastical confirmation of Black regalism. At nearly every turn, "Wakanda Forever" fails, starting with its set-up.”

Slant Magazine

“In general, Wakanda Forever is a significantly shabbier-looking film than its predecessor. Gone is Rachel Morrison’s gorgeously chromatic and fluidly moving cinematography, replaced by a more bland color scheme, pervasive and distracting shallow focus, and chaotic coverage of bodies.”

Telegraph UK

“The visual effects sequences in Wakanda Forever are murky to the point of meaninglessness – most of them look as if they were shot through a jar of frogspawn by a camera operator on a pneumatic bull – while the inexplicably constant night scenes take Marvel's already leaden visual style to squint-inducingly dingy new lows. Ruth E Carter’s costumes look like they’re probably excellent: I only wish we’d been allowed to see them. By and large, the same goes for Wright’s performance.”

How Wakanda Forever's Reviews Compare To Black Panther

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The MCU saw its biggest events to date – Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame – after Black Panther, yet the latter is still at the top of most rankings. Black Panther continues to have the highest score on Rotten Tomatoes with 96%, so Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s score is a significant drop. Black Panther was praised for its direction, acting, writing, costume design, soundtrack, and cinematography, though some of its CG visual effects were criticized. Black Panther was mostly praised for its cultural significance, which isn’t happening for Black Panther 2 so far. Black Panther is widely regarded as one of the best movies in the MCU so far, so Black Panther: Wakanda Forever had some big shoes to fill, and while it seems it didn’t fully succeed at it, it did justice to Boseman’s Black Panther legacy and is pushing this part of the MCU forward.