Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

[Greg]

I'll just post this everywhere.

[Drunk Monk]

Note that the screener was press only at the Dolby Labs in their state of the art theater with astounding sound and the highest resolution screen I’ve ever seen - it’s their flagship showcase and it’s an incredible experience to see a film like this there.

SPOILER ALERT ain’t no freakin spoiler. don’t even do spoilers. that’s just rude. Who do you take me for? Scapino? isn’t he still blackballed? we’d reinstate him if he’d just post here… END SPOILER ALERT

What can I say? Wait for my review? Oh my embargo just lifted. I can say whatever I want. 

I’ll say this: Nailed it. So many feels. It’s a whole new world for the MCU and it’s fantastic.

[Greg]

Whew. I'm ready to bring my hate this weekend.

[thatguy]

Was there a tequila bar? I've heard Dolby Labs has quite a tequila bar.

--tg

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

I heard there was a problem with someone there being blinded by science

[Drunk Monk]

No tequila bar in the theater. You may be thinking of the actual lab. The theater is a sidecar on that building, different entrance (although I did notice a closed off hallway to the main building). Nothing allowed in the theater, not even water. No concessions. A tiny restroom with one urinal and toilet (I was warned to take care of business immediately by the Screen Anarchy reporter, which was solid advice). It was the first screener where I was given a crack&peel print out pass with my name on it. 

By strange coincidence, I heard that song on the drive in. I didn't put that together until you mentioned it. That makes it so much better. 

Some thoughts on Wakanda:
It's a break from the MCU formula - a whole new direction. I was fully engrossed throughout. It's a strong contrast in story and tone to Love and Thunder. 

D00M recommended.

[Greg]

Um, I hate to disagree with DM, but who am I kidding? I love to disagree with DM. That was kind of dull. Long stretches in the middle had me checking my watching. The big set pieces were not very good. What was the point of Martin Freeman in this movie. Didn't we just have a kid as the center of all the problems in Dr. Strange? M'Baku needs his own movie.

But I'm not not going to recommend it. There was still some good stuff in there, sort of. Angela Basset was acting her ass off. But there were some very nice tributes to Chadwick Boseman.

[Drunk Monk]

Um, I hate to disagree with DM, but who am I kidding? I love to disagree with DM. 

Siskel & Ebert ain't got nothing on DM & Lynch

What was the point of Martin Freeman in this movie. 

The simple answer is because it needed at least one white dude.

Come on now. You know the real answer being an MCU fan, right? I'm guessing the trauma of this week has clouded your memory otherwise I'd have to pull your MCU fanboy card. 

Wakanda marks the final installment of Phase 4. Phase 5 will begin with Quantumania next year. Phases 4 & 5 are parts of the Multiverse Saga. Everett was important as a segue to de Fontaine, who will be critical in Phase 5.5 Thunderbolts. Just like Aquaman was DC's rip off of the Submariner, Thunderbolts is the MCU's answer to Suicide Squad and Fontaine is the mirror universe version of Waller. The Thunderbolts squad will be the new Black Widow Yelena, her dad Red Guardian, Taskmaster (also from BW), Bucky, and Ghost from Ant-man 2. We'll have to wait until 2024 for this however.

[The Queen]

All I know is that a year from now, I apparently need to burn the gray sweater I was wearing when Dani died.

[Greg]

Wouldn't it be nice if they told a story in one go and maybe through in a hint for a future in the credits rather than have most of the movie be set-up for futures stories which are then set-ups for other stories.

I will grant you I'm not in the best frame mind for three hours of a story about loss and mourning. But would it have killed them to throw in a few chuckles?

[Drunk Monk]

Wouldn't it be nice if they told a story in one go and maybe through in a hint for a future in the credits rather than have most of the movie be set-up for futures stories which are then set-ups for other stories.

This is the MCU. If you want that, you should be watching the DCEU...

I will grant you I'm not in the best frame mind for three hours of a story about loss and mourning. But would it have killed them to throw in a few chuckles?

Well, yes, there is that. However I found plenty of chuckles. M'Baku was funny. And Riri has some decent, albeit hackneyed lines. Which brings us to Riri...

Didn't we just have a kid as the center of all the problems in Dr. Strange? 

Riri was a college student, at MIT no less, so not quite a kid, but we're old, so that one slides. Riri is key to yet another upcoming MCU show, specifically her upcoming Disney+ series Ironheart. Riri's father, the one who she thinks is dead and left her that sweet ride, is a member of the Ten Rings. Enter Shang-Chi. The Ten Rings emblem also appears in Ant-Man (setting up the next one - Phase 5.1 Quantumania) and in Mrs. Marvel (setting up Phase 5.3 The Marvels). This is scheduled to all play out in 2023. 

[Greg]

It all comes down to money.

Black Adam has made $350 million dollars since its release on October 21. It probably will not turn a profit because of its budget.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever made $350 million dollars over the weekend.