Black Panther 2 Spoilers: 4 Most Unexpected Surprises

After much waiting, the time has finally come – Black Panther 2 is released and ready for consumption!! I entered the theatre with zero expectations. How do you continue a story that has permanently and unexpectedly lost its main character forever?

Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever approaches that challenge head-on to produce a jaw-dropping, heart-wrenching spectacle of grand proportions. 

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever follows the royal family of Wakanda as they strive to protect their most precious resource, Vibranium, in the wake of the death of the Black Panther. 

If you couldn’t tell from the title, there will be spoilers in this review so if you’ve not yet seen the movie and want to see it first, I highly recommend you do. It’s worth the time.

Black Panther 2 is a rollercoaster ride with shocking plot points and character introductions.

The following are 4 of the most jaw-dropping Black Panther 2 spoilers from the movie. 

4 Most Unexpected Surprises | Black Panther 2 Spoilers

1. The Introduction of the Talokan people

The suspense built up around the introduction of the Talocan people is impeccable. Their sneaky guarding of the Vibranium under the ocean. Their swift disposal of the intruders in their territory. The hypnotic tones they emit in order to lure their enemies to plunge to their own death. And finally, the human god with wings on his ankles who moves with the swiftness of Peter Pan and strength enough to single-handedly bring down a whole helicopter.

My jaw high-fived the theater floor several times during that scene. 

I recently became very fascinated with the existence of mermaids, sirens, and underwater worlds. I would come across YouTube accounts of people, often from African or Caribbean nations, encountering these mysterious and dangerous underwater beings. 

To see this mystical narrative portrayed on a big screen was absolutely mesmerizing. I’m so excited to see how this underworld is incorporated into Marvel’s future. 

Also, I absolutely love Namor. His backstory and his anti-hero sensibilities make him dangerous but in a way that could work in your favor. I’m looking forward to seeing more of him. 

2. Queen Ramona’s Death 

This movie cleverly made us fall in love with Wakanda’s matriarch only to snatch her away from us. Her majestic way of moving, speaking; her passion for her family, and the ferocity with which she protects her nation. I thought she was the main character at one point.

Then we see her slip away while protecting one of her own. I was shocked that the movie would give us two heart-breaking deaths. How rude? 

3. Kilmonger’s Return

When Shuri entered the ancestral plane, I fully expected Queen Ramona to be waiting for her. 

The shock I experienced when I saw Kilmonger, the villain of the first Black Panther, appear on the screen — What a curveball!

Also, a very clever artistic choice. Having lost her parent to an enemy, Shuri can relate to Kilmonger on the level of holding a lot of contempt and rage. A surprising plot choice but the right one.

4. T’Challa’s son

OMG, that end credit when the stunning Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) brings out the most precious little boy and introduces him as T’Challa’s son – WHAT?!?

When did this happen?!

I gotta say though, they really found an actor (Divine Love Konadu-Sun) that had every single element of cuteness and put his adorable face on the screen. With his lisp, his dimples, and his adorable smile, I just wanted to pinch his little cheeks. 

It was nice to see an entity in which T’Challa’s legacy can live on. However, the boy is so young. Does Marvel intend to include him as a hero anytime soon because he’s at least gotta be a teen? Another time jump maybe?

Anyways, was definitely not expecting a little T’Challa but it’s a welcome surprise. 

2 Not-So-Surprising Moments in Black Panther 2

RIP Chadwick Boseman

I definitely teared up a few times during this movie because T’Challa’s death is not present on a fictional level only but on a real-life level as well. Every single member of the cast lost someone they worked closely with in real life and that real, raw emotion of losing someone you love was so evident on the screen. You could feel that they all grieved from a non-fictional place. 

The moments of silence accompanied by images of the late Chadwick Boseman were so moving and beautiful. Without a doubt, his presence is sorely missed on and off the screen. 

Shuri, the New Black Panther

Despite the unexpectedness of everything surrounding Black Panther 2, the outcome of the narrative felt very intentional. Shuri has the perfect set-up and backstory to become a superhero. 

She’s lost almost all of her beloved family members like the great superheroes before her (i.e. Batman, Spiderman, Iron Man). She is also a technological genius like a lot of superheroes, again, Spiderman and Iron Man. 

I also particularly enjoy how her gender doesn’t play a role in her capabilities. No one underestimates her for her gender. No one confines her potential based on her gender or dictates how they think her life should be. She has the freedom and liberty to live life as a unique multifaceted individual rather than as a woman defeating the odds. She doesn’t even have any sort of romantic love interests (although I’m not going to lie, I was curious to see if she and Namor would have a little thing going on. Can you imagine how limitless those babies would be?!)

But again, she was not restricted to her relation to a man, rather, she was her own powerful individual, doing what was best for her nation.

In Conclusion…

Black Panther 2 did not disappoint. It included jaw-dropping elements, honored the lives of the actors whose backs this project was built on, and seamlessly transitioned into a novel realm of conflict with a new nation, allowing grief to live in those tender places. 

The plot drifted its attention to so many different people that it was hard to determine who the main character was meant to be at times. This allowed us to build a deeper insight into characters that had smaller roles in the first film, like Shuri, Queen Ramona, Okoye, and Prince M’Baku. 

We got a more in-depth perspective of all these characters who were previously minor roles which caused the focus of the film to shift more and more. The shifting focal points created a bit of disconnection to the narrative near the middle of the film but the recovery was swift.

Additionally, the main conflict of the story, trying to keep Vibranium away from outer nations, went a little over my head at times. Namor killing one human girl is not going to erase all the information she’s already provided the government. 

Speaking of that one human girl – there was so much black female excellence in this film, it was beautiful to behold. Definitely has a similar vibe and energy to The Woman King. I really enjoyed the energy and humor of Ironheart and I’m excited to see more of her and her friendship with Shuri. 

The movie was phenomenal with some impressive fight scenes, fleshed-out characters, and a tasteful, very effective use of slow motion.

Rating: 8.5/10

What surprised you the most in Black Panther 2? Let me know in the comments below!

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Peace, love, and lots of popcorn,

IMO