'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' First Reviews: Does The Marvel Movie Match Up To Its Prequel?

Whenever a sequel is released, viewers jump to make comparisons with the prequel. "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" is no different in this case. Thankfully, the sequel's first reviews don't look disappointing at all.

Aside from being the "Black Panther" sequel, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" is also special for fans because it will mark the final movie of Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase 4 and also the first movie after Chadwick Boseman's death (who played the title role in the first installment).

According to Punch Drunk Critics, the sequel "had the highest of expectations and surpasses every one of them, and makes a strong case for itself as a Best Picture contender." In fact, many other critics noted that Marvel has raised the bar with "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."

Aside from treating it like a standalone's sequel, the flick also fits the Marvel Cinematic Universe perfectly. "One of the most moving MCU entries so far, and one of the best films to come out of Marvel's Phase Four," Collider shared in its review.

ComicBook outlet stated that the ending of the movie is going to leave the audiences with "a ton of questions for Phase 5 and beyond."

Considering the fact that Boseman couldn't be a part of the sequel, multiple outlets mentioned that his presence is felt throughout the sequel and it doesn't feel distracting or inappropriate.

Aside from outlets, even viewers shared their first reactions on Twitter. One of the users wrote that they felt extremely emotional while watching the post-credits and shared a crying cat photo:

Another user simply wrote that all the hype about the sequel is because of Boseman, who died on Aug. 28, 2020, due to colon cancer that was diagnosed in 2016.

"Powerful, emotional and everything the end of the phase needed," a user wrote after noting that "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" is the best film of Phase 4.

Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 4 began with "Black Widow" in 2021 and went on to release "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" and "Eternals."

The studio also dropped "Spider-Man: No Way Home," "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" and "Thor: Love and Thunder" in Phase 4. "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" drops in theaters Friday.