Wakanda Forever (2022) was the closing film for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Phase 4.

It was well received in cinemas with an audience score of 94 percent composed of 10,000+ certified reviews; critics gave the movie a score of 84 percent making this feature film the only “Certified Fresh” MCU production this year according to the website Rotten Tomatoes.

Strengths and weaknesses will be addressed below, with minor spoilers ahead.

The film had to be re-written after the passing of Chadwick Boseman (T’Challa/Black Panther) in August 2020. It adapts the tragedy that shocked the world as part of the revised plot. The movie followed a mournful and respectful funeral for the fictional character (who in the movie died from an “undisclosed illness”), but also provided a real-life closure and farewell to the award-nominated actor, whom everybody grew fond of.

The movie’s new protagonist is Shuri (Letitia Wright), T’Challa’s sister, who struggles to cope with the passing of her brother. Shuri must put her problems aside when Namor, the ruler of the underwater nation of Taokan, threatens the surface world. The princess will carry out the legacy of the Black Panther as she picks up the mantle from her brother and stands up for the Kingdom of Wakanda.

Ludwig Göransson (The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Black Panther ) returns to add yet another major success to his career as he follows up the work from his last MCU collaboration, Black Panther (2018). The composer re-introduces musical motifs from his previous production as well as the debut an original theme that appropriately represents the female lead.

To fit the movie’s geographical location better, Göransson appeals to traditional African chants, percussion patterns, and instrumentation of the sort while combining it with modern film music tendencies. The tracks from the official album, “Welcome Home” and “Wakanda Forever,” are prominent examples of this description.

In addition, the motion picture counts several artist collaborations throughout the motion picture, including Rihanna, who performed the end-credits music.

After thoroughly dissecting this film I would argue that this was the best MCU project this year and that its popularity is well deserved. It provided reverential closure for the late Chadwick Boseman while preserving the action and adventure of a typical Marvel presentation.