TV Review: ‘Eyes of Wakanda’

‘Eyes of Wakanda’ receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.Arriving on Disney+ on August 1st, ‘Eyes of Wakanda’ represents both the latest animated offering from the sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe and another spin-off from Ryan Coogler’s successful ‘Black Panther’ movies.

​‘Eyes of Wakanda’ receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.Arriving on Disney+ on August 1st, ‘Eyes of Wakanda’ represents both the latest animated offering from the sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe and another spin-off from Ryan Coogler’s successful ‘Black Panther’ movies.   

‘Eyes of Wakanda’ receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.

Arriving on Disney+ on August 1st, ‘Eyes of Wakanda’ represents both the latest animated offering from the sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe and another spin-off from Ryan Coogler’s successful ‘Black Panther’ movies.

The series, directed and executive produced by close Coogler collaborator Todd Harris (‘Sinners’, features the voices of Cress Williams (‘Black Lightning’), Winnie Harlow (‘The Perfect Find’), Anika Noni Rose (‘The Princess and the Frog’), Steve Toussaint (‘House of the Dragon’) and more.

Related Article: ‘Ironheart’ TV review

Initial Thoughts

If ‘Ironheart’ was a decently entertaining spin-off featuring the character of Riri Williams, a comic character who got her MCU big screen introduction in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ but got lost in the shuffle of that busy sequel, ‘Eyes of Wakanda’ goes further and broader in a way only animation can achieve.

This series presents as an anthology show set across different time periods, but is ultimately linked by the presence of the Hatut Zaraze –– the “War Dog” operatives who undertake special covert missions outside of Wakanda’s borders (you might recall Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia as one such agent in the original ‘Black Panther’.

The links go deeper than that, but we won’t spoil anything here.

Script and Direction

Under the guidance of Harris (with Coogler on hand to offer input) and lead writer Geoffrey Thorne, the series is an entertaining, ambitious look at the War Dogs through different chunks of history, from ancient China to the battle of Troy.

While the stakes are high, the scripts are leavened with wit and lighter touches, and even offer an intriguing new avenue to one character whose legacy is not exactly beloved by Marvel fans. We won’t specify who exactly, but suffice to say they made their screen debut back in the Netflix days, and are presented in very different form here.

‘Eyes of Wakanda’s stories hang together well, and the battles features are exciting. The style of the show certainly fits with ‘Black Panther’s existing design framework and expands the look to include historical touches and inventive tech.

Cast and Performances

Highlights from the voice cast including Winnie Harlow as Noni, a rebellious former Dora Milaje whose mission is effectively her job interview for the War Dogs, and Cress Williams, who plays a few characters, with the focus on The Lion, a former Wakandan warrior who has turned to the life of a pirate.

Elsewhere, there is good work from the likes of Steve Toussaint and Jona Xiao –– but again, we can’t talk about her character.

Final Thoughts

Though the major link between the stories aren’t immediately apparent, there is enough connective tissue and watchability within the separate episodes to make them all worth watching.

You don’t really have to have seen anything beyond ‘Black Panther’ to enjoy it, and it’s a healthy dose of diversity within the MCU.

What’s the plot of ‘Eyes of Wakanda’?

Follow the adventures of brave Wakandan warriors throughout history in this globe-trotting adventure where they must carry out dangerous missions to retrieve Vibranium artifacts from the enemies of Wakanda.

They are the Hatut Zaraze and this is their story.

Who stars in ‘Eyes of Wakanda’?

Winnie Harlow as NoniCress Williams as The LionDanai Gurira as OkoyeLarry Herron as Memnon

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