Review 668: The Woman King

 

The film is inspired   In the West African Kingdom of Dahomey in 1823, General Nanisca (Viola Davis)  she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life.

Opening with a brutaly, visceral action set peiece, The Woman King becomes a fascinating and majestic peice of historical, action cinema that offers up a

It's strongly influenced by a lot of smart feminist thinking about how the lives of these women unfold and view the world from a new, fresh perspective. The Agojie or the Dahomey Amazons as they were also known protected that Kingdom   The Agojie are strong, fierce, well respected women who are chosen by the King to be his Kingsguard.

Director Gina Prince-Bythewood's direction is sharp,  she makes you feel the power of these woman in every punch they land and every the score by Terence Blanchard is

Viola Davis delivers a powerhouse performance playing Gen. Nanisca  her world-weariness  her ability to control the room and inspire others to follow her into battle

John Boyega has a very strong, comanding, regal screen presence playing King Ghezo 

Lashana Lynch  playing Izogie

The South African actress Thuso Mbedu has a breakout performance as Nawi  vulnerable