Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is one of the most poignant films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is a beautiful tribute to Chadwick Boseman and the legacy he leaves behind. Wondering if Wakanda Forever is kid-friendly? I’m breaking down all of the thematic elements, including its PG-13 rating, in my Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Parents Guide and Movie Review. Here’s what parents need to know to help YOU decide if it’s appropriate for kids. As always, no spoilers!
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Parents Guide + Review
Going into Black Panther 2, I knew it was going to be an emotional film. I had high hopes that Marvel Studios would honor Chadwick Boseman and his iconic character, King T’Challa. I was honestly blown away by how deeply impactful every scene in this movie played a part in honoring his legacy.
Wakanda Forever begins with the unexpected death of T’Challa. You can feel the sadness of the characters, and you are left with an overwhelming feeling of somberness. When the opening credits start, it is moments of Boseman’s Black Panther that flashes across the screen. Wakanda Forever is truly dedicated to to Boseman’s T’Challa and a celebration of his life and legacy.
Wakanda is feeling the weight of T’Challa’s death. Princess Shuri (Letitia Wright), is especially having a difficult time with her brother’s passing. She blames herself for being unable to save him.
Angela Bassett gives the performance of her lifetime as Queen Ramonda. You can’t help but feel for her immeasurable loss. Because of her son’s death, she’s even more protective of Shuri. She’s desperately trying to keep what she has left of her family alive, all while protecting the Wakandians. As a mom, I can absolutely relate to Ramonda and feel her pain.
Wakanda Forever introduces a new villain, Namor (Tenoch Huerta). What makes his character unique, is you can almost understand where he’s coming from. Just like Queen Ramonda, Namor is trying to do what he believes is best to protect his people. Shuri is able to relate to him and understand his grief. It’s a very complex relationship between them.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a huge dose of female empowerment. Not only are the women of Wakanda strong and able to fight, they’re also incredibly smart. I loved seeing women engineers and really bringing STEM into the story. Little girls watching Wakanda Forever will absolutely feel inspired and believe they can do that, too!
Stunning Visuals and a Powerful Soundtrack
The cinematography in Wakanda Forever is absolutely stunning. From the gorgeous scenery of Wakanda and the undersea world of Talokan, it’s truly a feast for your eyes. The costumes are also so intricately detailed. And the soundtrack is incredibly powerful.
Is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Kid-Friendly? Here’s Your Parents Guide:
Wakanda Forever isn’t your typical Marvel movie, and that’s not a bad thing by any means. It’s the perfect piece to tie up phase 4. However, grief is the main theme of Black Panther 2. Is Wakanda Forever too scary and sad for kids?
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has an MPAA rating of PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, action, and some language. It has a runtime of 2 hours 41 minutes, just 20 minutes shy of Avengers: Endgame. Here’s what parents need to know before watching Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with their kids.
Violence
You can expect the same level of violence as the first Black Panther movie. There are explosions, guns, spears, electrocutions, car chases/crashes, drowning, and murder. While that sounds very violent, nothing is overly graphic. Again, think on par with the original movie.
Language
Honestly I was impressed, especially for a Marvel film. Expect to hear: Hell, ass, and shit. But that’s really it. Definitely low-key for Marvel.
Mature Content
The death of T’Challa is a main theme. Obviously some children might have a difficult time with the death of a main character. Grief and the process of grief surrounds Wakanda Forever. Black Panther 2 is heavy and emotional. There is also a theme of letting vengeance consume you.
Age Recommendation
My age recommendation for Wakanda Forever is going to depend on your child. Have they seen the first Black Panther movie? Do they watch Marvel movies? If you answered “yes,” then I’d say it’s okay for them. My two children ages (almost) 9 and 13 saw Wakanda Forever in the theater with me. My oldest son loved it. It was incredibly engaged and felt it is one of Marvel Studios’ best. My younger son thought it was “okay.” I think it was too long for him and too heavily focused on grief. I say this because he loves Endgame, and that is 3 hours. I’m going to recommend Wakanda Forever for ages 8 and up…IF they are Marvel fans. However, please take the above into consideration, you know your child best!
Overall Thoughts
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a movie that people will talk about from years to come. It’s poignant and a beautiful tribute to Chadwick Boseman and King T’Challa. Wakanda Forever takes us on a journey processing death and all of the emotions that overcome us. It encourages us to remember although someone is physically gone, they still live on within us. Wakanda Forever offers hope and the promise of a legacy to come. Don’t miss the mid-credit scene at the end. There is hope.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Synopsis
Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with Nakia and Everett Ross to forge a new path for their beloved kingdom.
I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER PARENTS GUIDE AND MOVIE REVIEW HELPFUL FOR YOUR FAMILY. WILL YOU BE SEEING IT IN THEATERS?!
Looking for more parent guides and movie reviews? Don’t miss these posts HERE!
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