The dust has settled, and critics in Los Angeles and New York have weighed in on Ryan Coogler’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and … it could get Best Picture nominated?
Anne Thompson and Eric Kohn have also added in their two cents this morning on their Screen Talk podcast. They are even more hyperbolic, calling it a “major Oscar contender.” Good God.
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” received an ecstatic reaction from press and industry this week with its starry red-carpet debut in L.A. and additional screenings in New York. While reviews are still a few days away, it’s not too early to dig into the awards season prospects for the movie, and they are bountiful. The original “Black Panther” received seven nominations, including Best Picture. ... “Wakanda Forever” could do all that and more, from a Best Director nomination for Ryan Coogler to a supporting actress nomination for Angela Bassett. Of course, this is still a Marvel movie, and not everyone in the Academy wants that breed of blockbuster to dominate awards season.”
I’m not supposed to watch “Wakanda Forever” until next week, but this is alarming. The reactions yesterday were NOT backflips from critics. Even the usually very fair Scott Mantz had some major reservations.
From what I gathered, based on yesterday’s reactions, the film is flawed at 161 minutes, but many (actually, most) are willing to let go of the imperfections to praise the film. This is 2018 all over again…
Yes, all Marvel movies get positive initial reactions, but there seems to be backing coming from critics and pundits such as Eric Kohn, David Ehrlich, Mike Ryan and Kyle Buchanan. There’s also Rian Johnson immediately weighing in on the film with praise.
Fact of the matter is that, even before it screened, there already were some out there who believed Coogler’s sequel had a shot at Oscar glory. Picture, Director, and Angela Bassett for Supporting Actress were specified as possibilities. Now it seems as though some critics will be pushing this one down our throats the same way they did with the original. Will it be enough?