Black Panther: Wakanda Forever might just be the movie that ends the “Marvel Fatigue” that fans seemed to have recoiled from after several failed Phase 4 attempts. As for some of the big companies in the current Phase, especially Sam Raimi Multiverse of Madness and Taika Waititi Thor: Love and Thunder, the audience’s anticipation was off the charts. People thought these two projects would go way beyond the MCU standard.
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Alas, the situation ended up being very different from what we all expected. The Benedict Cumberbatch-starring and Chris Hemsworth-directed premise both fell flat with many longtime fans. On a positive note, out of all the Phase 4 movies, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was a successful, action-packed and truly impressive narrative effort.
However, with only two or three good attempts to consider in an ever-encompassing and expansive cinematic phase, a franchise as big as the MCU not only needs a big box office success, but also a story that keeps the fans in for the long haul. Otherwise, mindless entertainment is what the famous industry stalwart will be known for – if he hasn’t already earned such a tainted reputation.
MCU Phase 4 Disappointments
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Credits where it counts: While most of Phase 4 has been filed with what many consider a classic example of quantity over quality, some series and movies have been enough in fans’ hearts (and on the level commercial), to say the least. Loki, moon knight, Wanda Vision, Spider Man: No coming home, and to an ambitious extent, Ms. Marvel. These are several efforts that aren’t free from flaws, but they have at least tried to bring something new to the table.
Alas, with several constraints such as the much abhorred 6-episode structure, extremely convoluted plot points, narrative flaws, lack of congruence, CGI quality, problem with villains, etc., the aforementioned premises have also indirectly or directly contributed to building the fatigue that people feel. Things still seemed manageable, somewhat salvageable. With speculatively powerful versions like Thor: Love and Thunder and Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness, people were waiting to see the MCU completely reinvigorated.
Unfortunately, what was supposed to be one of the biggest MCU movies ended up being a disaster. Although they performed well at the box office, that was nothing compared to what some of the previous phases were pulling. Additionally, the narrative, for both movies, was lackluster and all over the place. While the Taika Waititi-directed film was frowned upon for its ultra-odious themes, Sam Raimi’s Multiverse of Madness had too much to do. The latter has also been criticized for its choppy pacing, the lack of a proper character arc for Doctor Strange and, of course, the “cameo problem.”
With such things to consider, fans were desperate for a miracle, something that transcended beyond just a profit-making movie. Since Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is our only remaining hope, the public looked eagerly to Ryan Coogler.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is the MCU’s saving grace
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One wonders – how exactly will the next movie, which is set to end MCU Phase 4, manage to reverse the damage done by the other attempts? Additionally, many fans in the community were (some still are) loyal to their suspicions; extremely skeptical about whether the film would be able to continue the legacy left by Chadwick Boseman.
However, as several media critics and avid Marvel connoisseurs attest, the unveiling of recent teasers and trailers for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever promises an emotionally sincere, compact and serious story. It’s honoring the past while embracing the changes of the present and the future.
While Letitia Wright’s involvement in the film has made people wary, especially after the past two years of controversies she’s been embroiled in, audiences have enormous faith in director Ryan Coogler, who left a ambitious brand in people’s minds with the first Black Panther film.
Moreover, the effort seems more than a “taking money” as claimed by famous content creator TheCubanCrusher. It’s the kind of movie that Marvel Studios desperately needs right now to cement itself as a franchise that values quality over quantity. With its dark, serious, yet energetic and action-packed tone, fans are convinced that wakanda forever will act as a breath of fresh air, a precious jewel among the mountain heap of mediocrity.
From the intriguing but highly anticipated inclusion of Namor, to elaborate and well-organized sets, to Shuri’s detailed and stylish Black Panther costume, the film seems to offer grandeur and an unparalleled level of authenticity. Just as the first film changed the standards of MCU storytelling, the Letitia Wright-led attempt will hopefully strive to do the same.
Crossed fingers.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever premieres on November 11, 2022.
Source: YouTube
