Assignment Question

For this week’s assignment, you will be responding to one of the types of communication in either The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), or Ted Lasso (2020) located in Unit 1 to analyze how the main character communicates with the people around them. Instructions: Option 1: Watch the two clips from The Devil Wears Prada (2006) and observe the relationship between Andy Sachs and her boss, Miranda Priestly. In a 1–2-page paper, address the following: • Describe the communication style that Miranda is using with Andy. Is it effective? Why or why not? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of communication? Provide examples from the video. • Reflect on which communication style from the video you identify. Explain why you chose that style.

Assignment Answer

Introduction

The film industry has been graced by many remarkable sequels, each with its unique challenges and opportunities. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” the sequel to the groundbreaking “Black Panther,” had the arduous task of honoring the legacy of Chadwick Boseman while continuing the narrative of the fictional African nation of Wakanda (Daniels, 2022). This analysis delves into the communication styles, themes, and limitations within “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and how they impact the film’s overall effectiveness.

Communication Styles in the Film

Communication styles are pivotal in shaping character interactions, plot development, and the overall tone of a movie. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” presents a wide range of communication styles, each serving a unique purpose in the story.

One of the most prominent communication styles in the film is the expression of righteous rage, which is epitomized by the character Ramonda, portrayed by Angela Bassett. In a pivotal scene, Ramonda addresses the United Nations with unwavering determination, vehemently expressing her refusal to share Wakanda’s precious resource, vibranium, with the rest of the world. Her communication style is assertive and unwavering, reflecting her commitment to protecting Wakanda’s interests (Daniels, 2022). Bassett’s performance in this scene is commanding, with her booming voice and unwavering gaze effectively conveying the character’s righteous anger. This style of communication serves to highlight the tension between Wakanda and the outside world, emphasizing the nation’s determination to maintain its sovereignty.

Shuri, portrayed by Letitia Wright, represents another communication style within the film. She has buried herself in her lab, where she develops advanced technology and weapons. Shuri’s communication style is characterized by her frustration and a desire to see the world confront the consequences of its actions. She leans towards a more aggressive and confrontational style, reflecting her deep-seated anger and her belief that the world needs to be held accountable for its actions (Daniels, 2022). Shuri’s communication style is, at times, impulsive and short-sighted, leading to decisions that have unintended consequences.

Namor, played by Tenoch Huerta, is a character whose communication style is a mixture of diplomacy and threat. His character is complex, representing the king of Talokan, a civilization that has issues with the surface world. When he arrives in Wakanda, his communication with Ramonda and Shuri is veiled as an alliance but carries an underlying threat. Namor’s communication style is characterized by his attempts to negotiate while maintaining a sense of vengeance for the historical wrongs committed against his people (Daniels, 2022). This blend of diplomacy and veiled threats adds depth to his character and the film’s overall tension.

However, the film’s communication styles are not without their limitations. The dialogue frequently remains on the surface, relying on exposition to convey information and externalizing characters’ thoughts and emotions. This approach can feel heavy-handed and often robs the audience of the opportunity to infer the characters’ feelings or motivations. The film’s dialogue tends to overexplain, as evidenced when Namor narrates his entire backstory, leading to a character exclaiming, “Why are you telling me all of this?” This moment highlights a lack of subtlety in the film’s communication style, as if the filmmakers are overly concerned about ensuring the audience grasps every detail.

Effectiveness of Communication Styles

The effectiveness of the communication styles in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” varies, influencing the impact of character interactions and the overall narrative.

Ramonda’s style of righteous rage is effective in conveying the unwavering determination of Wakanda to protect its resources. Her powerful performance in the United Nations scene successfully conveys the character’s indignation and refusal to compromise. However, Shuri’s communication style, characterized by frustration and a desire to hold the world accountable, leads to short-sighted decisions that exacerbate conflicts rather than resolving them. This style is less effective in achieving positive outcomes.

Namor’s communication style, a blend of diplomacy and threat, is effective in creating a sense of tension and unpredictability. It adds depth to his character and contributes to the film’s conflict. However, the film’s overreliance on exposition and externalized communication hinders the effectiveness of these styles. The lack of subtlety and the tendency to overexplain can make the dialogue feel forced and less authentic.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Communication Styles

The different communication styles in the film offer advantages and disadvantages that impact character dynamics and plot development.

The advantage of the righteous rage communication style, exemplified by Ramonda, is that it conveys a sense of unwavering commitment and determination. It reinforces Wakanda’s stance on protecting its resources and sovereignty. However, the disadvantage is that it can be perceived as confrontational, which may lead to further conflicts with other nations.

Shuri’s communication style, driven by frustration and a desire to hold the world accountable, has the advantage of highlighting the character’s passion and anger. It reflects the character’s deep emotions. However, the disadvantage is that this style can lead to impulsive decisions that create more problems than solutions.

Namor’s communication style, which combines diplomacy with veiled threats, is advantageous in creating a sense of tension and complexity in his character. It keeps the audience guessing about his true intentions. The disadvantage is that it can lead to mistrust and potential misunderstandings.

Reflection on Communication Style

In analyzing the communication styles in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” I identify with the righteous rage style exemplified by Ramonda. This style resonates with me because it conveys a strong commitment to principles and values, even in the face of external pressures. It is an assertive and unwavering communication style that reflects the importance of standing up for what one believes in.

However, it is essential to recognize that the film’s communication styles are not limited to a single choice, and characters exhibit a range of styles that contribute to the overall complexity of the narrative. Each style serves a specific purpose in advancing the plot and developing the characters.

Themes and Limitations

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” explores several themes, including the consequences of colonization and the complexities of diplomacy. These themes are intricately woven into the narrative, adding depth to the story.

The film delves into the cultural pain that still exists from the historical annihilation of Central and South America’s Indigenous kingdoms. Instead of focusing on a common enemy, as in the case of white colonists, the story pits two kingdoms led by people of color against each other. This idea, however, never thematically lands effectively (Daniels, 2022). The film must also contend with multiple requirements, such as setting up the Marvel TV series “Ironheart,” acknowledging The Snap, grieving Boseman’s death, and finding a new Black Panther. These competing interests are challenging to balance within a single movie, and it becomes evident that this should have been two separate films (Daniels, 2022).

Moreover, the film’s limitations extend to the visual storytelling. The dialogue often remains on the surface, relying on exposition to convey information, and this approach can feel heavy-handed. It raises questions about the need for contemporary blockbusters to overexplain and hold the audience’s hand. A notable example is when Namor explains his entire backstory, leading to a character exclaiming, “Why are you telling me all of this?” This moment highlights a lack of subtlety in the film’s communication style, as if the filmmakers are overly concerned about ensuring the audience grasps every detail (Daniels, 2022).

The film’s visual components also face challenges. The fight sequences are difficult to follow, with inelegant compositions that blur into an incomprehensible sludge with every cut by the editors (Daniels, 2022). The film’s projection issues may have contributed to this problem, but it raises concerns about the lighting and framing. Scenes of everyday life in Wakanda, once filled with joy, now feel artificial. The vast landscapes of the nation, which once were filled with splendor, are now murky backgrounds (Daniels, 2022).

Setting up the Future

A major focus of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is the transition and the potential setup of the future of the franchise. Shuri, portrayed by Letitia Wright, plays a crucial role in this transition. Wright is a talented actress with the ability to emotionally shoulder a movie when given good material. However, she is constantly working against the script here (Daniels, 2022). She fights past a cringe cameo, clunky jokes, and an ending that feels all too neat. Despite the script’s challenges, she remains a compelling character, and her character development is central to the film’s future trajectory.

Additionally, the film introduces new characters and revisits familiar faces. An assured and charismatic Winston Duke as M’Baku is there to help, while Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia is somewhat underutilized. Danai Gurira, as Okoye, provides resilience, and new addition Michaela Coel as Aneka brings a quirky character to the ensemble, even if tonally it doesn’t always work (Daniels, 2022). This ensemble of performers contributes to the complex tapestry of the Wakandan world.

Conclusion

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is a film filled with ambitious goals and a plethora of challenges. It attempts to honor the legacy of Chadwick Boseman, explore complex themes, set up the future of the franchise, and continue the narrative of Wakanda. While some communication styles are effective in conveying determination and tension, the film’s tendency to overexplain and externalize emotions can hinder the authenticity of the dialogue. The communication styles, when well-executed, contribute to the film’s exploration of themes such as righteous rage and the complexities of diplomacy.

Themes like the consequences of colonization and the complexities of diplomacy are intricately woven into the narrative, adding depth to the story. However, the film’s limitations in visual storytelling and the need to balance multiple requirements within a single movie pose significant challenges.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is not without its flaws, but it represents a significant moment in cinema, as it grapples with the legacy of an iconic character and sets the stage for the future of the franchise. While it may not achieve the same heights as its predecessor, it continues to expand the rich world of Wakanda and its unique characters.

References

Daniels, Robert. (2022, November 09). Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

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