After years of excited anticipation, the sequel to the cinematic masterpiece that was the original “Black Panther” has finally hit theaters. Though the plot of this new movie was overstuffed, the alluring imagery and honorable tribute to the original black panther, Chadwick Boseman, allowed the movie to still be an overall success.

This film follows the necessary rise into power of Wakanda rulers in order to protect the nation following the devastating death of King T’Challa, played by Boseman. 

The overall tone of this movie was somber but heartwarming, portraying one of the most emotional stories recently seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The power behind this movie came from the praise the cast was eager to give following the real life passing of Boseman. Due to the deep personal connection he had with the cast, the palpable love they carried was evident throughout the film. This emotional attachment made the acting phenomenal, as the tributes to Boseman played a pivotal part in engaging the audience and allowing them to feel both the  real life and on screen pain this death brought. 

As the plot of the movie unfolds it is evident that a courageous leader is needed and soon. Thankfully, King T’Challa’s sister, Shuri, portrayed by Letitia Wright, is ready to step into this role and prove to everyone that she has what it takes to be a successful and respected figure, who will fight for the protection of Wakanda. 

A significant positive of this film was watching the gradual ascension of Shuri into a higher position of power. In the first movie, she was much more of a comedic character who amazed the viewers with her inventions, so watching her fight to stay true to herself when faced with dilemmas, while still remaining a fan favorite, was an interesting shift for the audience to witness. Through her character, the movie does a phenomenal job at showcasing the ways that individuals process the tough reality of death and the effects that follow. Wright was able to successfully convey these complicated emotions in an effortless manner, putting her talent on display for the audience. 

Though the character development throughout the movie was inspiring, a shortfall is the overly condensed plotline. The plot surrounding the potential attack of Wakanda by the newly introduced character, Namor, played by Tenoch Huerta, simply seemed like a hasty attempt to create conflict. Though Namor did add some intensity to the plot due to his depth as a character, the entire two hour conflict of the movie seemed like a prequel explaining the backstory and setting the stage for the hopefully more engaging third movie. 

Another disappointing aspect of the film was the repetitive and dull action scenes. Marvel is known for creating unique battle scenes and with this film, they had a lot of creative freedom to utilize new technology in order to make the most cinematic scenes; however, these moments seemed pointless and only a couple truly stood out to the viewer. 

Though this sequel to one of the most well-known Marvel movies had some faults, overall it was an enjoyable watch that left the audience with a sense of content. With consideration of some of the complaints surrounding unnecessary plot points, there is no doubt in the audience’s mind that the “Black Panther” franchise will continue to be a cosmic success.