A year after the death of King T’Challa, his sister (Letitia Wright) and Wakanda face threats from the outside world, including a water-breathing people. The sequel to Black Panther (2018) lends its emotional power from the outpouring of grief and love for the late Chadwick Boseman, and visual flair from the same topnotch filmmakers who made the first movie such a treat. Once again, composer Ludwig Göransson, involved in both score and songs, is a key player… but the running time becomes a problem, with a story that drags and villains that come across like Avatar leftovers.

2022-U.S. 161 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by Ryan Coogler. Screenplay: Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole. Music: Ludwig Göransson. Song: ”Lift Me Up” (performed by Rihanna). Costume Design: Ruth E. Carter. Production Design: Hannah Beachler. Cast: Letitia Wright (Shuri/Black Panther), Lupita Nyong’o (Nakia), Danai Gurira (Okoye), Winston Duke, Florence Kasumba, Dominique Thorne… Angela Bassett, Martin Freeman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael B. Jordan, Lake Bell.

Oscar: Best Costume Design. Golden Globe: Best Supporting Actress (Bassett).