Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

AHK Cinema · Movie Review

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

2022 Dir. Ryan Coogler 162 minBest for CEFR B2

Dive into Wakanda's future as Queen Ramonda, Shuri, and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from global powers in *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever*, a film that explores grief, power, and unity.

Introduction to Wakanda's Next Chapter

The movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a masterpiece that delves into the complexities of grief, power struggles, and the unity of a nation. Directed by Ryan Coogler, the film takes place after the death of King T'Challa and follows Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M'Baku, Okoye, and the Dora Milaje as they strive to protect Wakanda from intervening world powers.

Performances and Direction

The performances in the film are outstanding, with Letitia Wright shining as Shuri, who is struggling to come to terms with her brother's death. The direction by Ryan Coogler is superb, as he weaves together the themes of grief, power, and unity seamlessly.

Worth Watching

The film is worth watching for its stunning visuals, captivating storyline, and strong performances. One specific reason Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is great for English learners is that it exposes them to a variety of accents and dialects, making it an excellent tool for improving listening skills.

Things You Didn't Know

6 hidden details

1

Ryan Coogler's Vision

Ryan Coogler's vision for the film was to explore the aftermath of King T'Challa's death and the impact it had on the characters. He worked closely with the cast to develop their characters and storylines. The film's script was written by Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole.

2

Letitia Wright's Preparation

Letitia Wright prepared for her role as Shuri by training in martial arts and learning about the character's backstory. She also worked closely with Ryan Coogler to develop Shuri's personality and traits.

3

Filming Locations

The film was shot in various locations, including Atlanta, Georgia, and Puerto Rico. The production team chose these locations for their unique landscapes and cultural significance.

4

Costume Design

The costume design in the film was led by Ruth E. Carter, who aimed to create a blend of traditional African and modern styles. The costumes were designed to reflect the characters' personalities and statuses.

5

Music Composition

The film's score was composed by Ludwig Göransson, who incorporated traditional African music and instruments into the soundtrack. The score was designed to enhance the film's emotional impact and cultural significance.

6

Cultural Significance

The film has significant cultural importance, as it showcases African culture and traditions. The production team worked closely with African consultants to ensure the film's accuracy and authenticity.

The Takeaway

In conclusion, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a film that teaches viewers about the importance of unity, power, and grief. For English learners, it is recommended to watch the scene where Shuri and Queen Ramonda discuss their plans to protect Wakanda with subtitles to better understand the dialogue and vocabulary used. This scene is not only emotionally powerful but also rich in context, making it an excellent choice for language practice.

The Learning Pack

Watch this film. Speak better English by Sunday.

Vocabulary, idioms, cultural context, and one scene broken down for shadowing practice.

Vocabulary (16)

grief

early

a feeling of deep sadness

"The nation was in grief after the king's death."

unity

middle

the state of being joined together

"The nation came together in unity to protect their land."

intervening

middle

to become involved in a situation

"The world powers were intervening in Wakanda's affairs."

captivating

late

attracting and holding someone's attention

"The film's storyline was captivating and engaging."

stunning

late

extremely beautiful or attractive

"The film's visuals were stunning and impressive."

dialects

late

a variety of a language

"The film features a range of dialects and accents."

listening

late

the ability to hear and understand

"The film is great for improving listening skills."

backstory

middle

a character's history

"The film explores the characters' backstories and motivations."

personality

middle

a person's character

"The film develops the characters' personalities and traits."

traits

middle

a characteristic or quality

"The film showcases the characters' unique traits and characteristics."

landscape

middle

the visible features of an area

"The film features a range of landscapes and environments."

cultural

late

relating to culture

"The film has significant cultural importance and relevance."

authenticity

late

the quality of being genuine

"The film strives for authenticity and accuracy in its portrayal of African culture."

emotional

late

relating to emotions

"The film's emotional impact is significant and lasting."

significance

late

the importance or meaning of something

"The film's cultural significance is undeniable and profound."

consultants

middle

experts who provide advice

"The production team worked with African consultants to ensure the film's accuracy."

Idioms & Expressions

come to terms with

to accept and understand something

Shuri's character development

weave together

to combine different things

Ryan Coogler's direction

on the same page

to have a shared understanding

the characters' unity

at stake

something that is being risked or threatened

the nation's safety

in the wake of

after something has happened

King T'Challa's death

Cultural References

African culture

African culture is diverse and rich, with many different traditions and customs. The film showcases various African cultures and highlights their significance.

Wakandan traditions

Wakandan traditions are based on African culture and customs. The film portrays these traditions as an important part of the characters' lives and identities.

African music

African music is a vital part of the film's soundtrack. The score incorporates traditional African instruments and rhythms, adding to the film's cultural authenticity.

African clothing

African clothing is a significant part of the film's costume design. The characters' outfits are inspired by traditional African attire, showcasing the diversity and richness of African fashion.

Scene Breakdown for Shadowing

around 00:42:00

Queen Ramonda: 'We must protect our nation at all costs.'
Shuri: 'But at what cost, mother?' 
Queen Ramonda: 'The cost of our freedom, our culture, and our way of life.' 
Shuri: 'I will not let that happen.' 
Queen Ramonda: 'I know you won't, my daughter.'

This scene is powerful for learners because it showcases the characters' emotional depth and their commitment to protecting their nation. The vocabulary used is rich and complex, with phrases like 'at all costs' and 'way of life'. The idioms and expressions used, such as 'come to terms with', are also significant. To practice, learners can try shadowing the characters' dialogue, focusing on their intonation, stress, and rhythm. This will help them improve their listening and speaking skills, as well as their understanding of the film's cultural context.

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