Sunday, September 18, 2022
The Woman King
It’s 1823 in West Africa where a small kingdom of Dahomey finds itself at a crossroads between the white slavers & the prosperity of their people. King Ghezo (John Boyega) has a secret weapon, the Agojie, his royal guard & protectors of the palace & his people. It’s shades of Wakanda as this all-women troop of Amazons are trained to defend to the death. General Nanisca (Viola Davis), new recruit Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), & her mentor Izogie (Lashana Lynch) are at the heart of the story. These actors all give fierce, powerful, & emotional performances. This society with a remarkably sophisticated & progressive lifestyle for its time offers a different African perspective other than the typical land of primitive savages. This is a fascinating untold story of a real historic female group featuring fictionalized portrayals. The film is rich in culture, strong with interesting characters, full of intense action, & has great storytelling. There are some surprise twists & personal conflicts to heat up the drama. Look for a mid-credit tribute to a fallen warrior.
Alien gives it 3½ “shark tooth” stars out of 4.
