4K Digital Review: Wakanda Forever

 

Wakanda Forever had the near impossible task of moving a massive franchise forward after the loss of Chadwick Boseman and does so in the most heartfelt way. The movie begins with the loss of King T'Challa and takes us through where his mother, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), and sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) are at. So much of real life is emulated here and the movie becomes one of dealing with loss. 

With T'Challa gone, Wakanda is in the global spotlight with other countries trying to get their hands on vibranium. As other countries discover that vibranium also exists on the bottom of the ocean, they unknowingly awaken Namor (Tenoch Huerta) and his nation of Talokan. This leads to Shuri having to figure out how to save the young scientist Riri Williams (Dominique Thorn) from Namor and a possible war.

The cast is amazing and the standout here is easily Angela Bassett who gives and Oscar worthy performance. Letitia carries a lot of emotional weight here as well. Tenoch is powerful as Namor and makes you feel his emotion of protecting his people. Just an absolute solid cast and I cannot wait to see where Shuri and Namor go into the future of the MCU. 

Video Quality:

The streaming 4K video is pristine. Every detail from skin tones to the intricate details of the costumes are a sight to be seen. The wide variety of colors are rich and lush. An absolute visual delight that needs to be seen in this format. 

Audio Quality: 

The Dolby Atmos mix here is wonderful. Dialogue is clean and without any issues. The surround is put to good use in both the water and battle sequences. The score rumbles and gets the best bass here. 

Bonus Features:

Gag Reel

·       Take a look at some of the lighthearted moments on the set of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Audio Commentary

·       Listen to Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole, and Autumn Durald Arkapaw discuss the film.

Featurettes

·       Envisioning Two Worlds – Uncover the making of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever through the lens and leadership of co-writer/director Ryan Coogler, production designer Hannah Beachler, and costume designer Ruth Carter.

·       Passing the Mantle – Follow the evolution of the Black Panther through the films. In tracing Shuri, Ramonda, and Riri’s journeys through the film, this featurette explores what legacy ultimately means in Wakanda and how it will resonate with MCU viewers for years to come.

Deleted Scenes

·       Outside The Scope – Okoye has a shocking standoff with Ayo and the Dora Milaje. Aneka makes a challenging decision.

·       The Upstairs Toilet – Ross infiltrates the NSA in disguise in an attempt to uncover information.

·       Daughter of the Border – After a conversation with her Uncle, Okoye is faced with a daunting choice.

·       Anytime, Anywhere – In Haiti, Shuri and Okoye share a bittersweet moment.

Conclusion:

Wakanda Forever pays a fitting tribute to the loss of Chadwick Boseman and propels the franchise forward. A wonderful transfer and audio mix combined with some great bonus features including a must listen to audio commentary makes this a solid addition to your personal library.  

(The review copy was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment and the review is solely my opinion)