Sunday 20 November 2022

BLACK PANTHER - WAKANDA FOREVER (ENGLISH) (2022)

The 30th movie from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) which began in 2008 checks all the right boxes that one could hope for.

Yes.
It does not scrimp on spectacle quotient with its ultra kinetic action set pieces on land, sea and air. 

Yes.
It successfully fulfills its MCU mandate of taking the more than two decade long storyline forward as it concludes Phase 4 and sets up the next phase.

Yes.
It includes a roll call of the beloved characters from the first movie including Queen Ramonda, Princess Shuri, General Okoye, Lord Jabari, Nakia, Agent Everett Ross while it valiantly tries to hold its own space despite the untimely demise of Chadwick Boseman who had donned the titular mantle in the first movie in 2016 and the MCU movies that followed. 

Yes.
It introduces some more characters who promise to sparkle as the MCU expands into its next installments including Namor, Riri Williams, Valentina Allegra and a certain Toussaint .


Nevertheless, the beating heart of this long awaited sequel is steeped in pathos of loss and grief of what has happened in reel as well as real life as it pays rich tribute to Boseman. 

Director Ryan Coogler who had set a high benchmark with his first MCU feature 6 years ago deserves kudos for this valiant sequel which, despite the untimely loss of its central character, manages to soar with high octane feline power.

Even die-hard Marvel fans would admit that the Phase 4 of the MCU has been middling at best, especially coming after the crescendo of Avengers Endgame. However, they can take heart that this is easily the best of the lot and concludes this phase on a high note. 

A GREAT WATCH !!
RATING - 3.5/5 


BAWAAL (HINDI) (2023)

In Bawaal, starring Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, Nitesh Tiwari (Dangal) directs a drama about a young couple set in modern Lu...