Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a poignant and emotional superhero epic filled with wondrous worldbuilding! And at 3-hours long, it’s a whole lotta movie. And as you might expect with such a runtime, there are lulls to be found, especially in the more dialogue-heavy moments. Luckily, it doesn’t take long for things to kick back into high gear. That’s because the action scenes hit hard with explosive choreography. Also explosive are the performances. With the late great Chadwick Boseman having left a massive void, the supporting cast from the first film returns with more prolific story arcs. And while the focus is mainly set upon Leticia Wright’s Shuri, it’s Angela Bassett who serves as the cast MVP. Bassett’s Wakandan matriarch is incredibly captivating, with Basset delivering one of the fiercest performances of the year. There’s also something to be said for the introduction of Namor and the elaborate underwater world he inhabits. No spoilers, but let’s just say that it’s awe-inspiring stuff, with Namor cementing himself as quite the MCU badass (and not some Aquaman rip-off as many feared). But, of course, the big through-line of the film is the loss of Boseman’s T’Challa. And to say it’s emotional would be a wee bit of an understatement. There are moments that deliver sheer gut punches (so prepare yourself). Add in a stellar soundtrack and a culturally lush production design, and you’ve got another masterful bit of superhero filmmaking. Wakanda Forever indeed!