The Woman King [Movie Review]

The Woman King [Movie Review] | I have been looking forward to watching this movie ever since I heard about it and then saw the trailer. The rumours that the movie is about the beginning of the Dora Milaje gets me even more excited about it (even though I know that it is not). 

So, did it live up to the expectations?

SYNOPSIS

The Woman King (2022) Trivia

• Starring: Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Hero Fiennes Tiffin & John Boyega
• Director:  Gina Prince-Bythewood
• Producer: Cathy Schulman, Viola Davis, Julius Tennon & Maria Bello
• Production Companies: TriStar Pictures, Entertainment One, TSG Entertainment II, JuVee Productions & Welle Entertainment
• Distributed by: Sony Pictures Releasing
• Release date: September 16, 2022
• Running time: 135 minutes
• Rating: PG-13 (for some sequences of strong violence, some disturbing material, thematic content, brief language and partial nudity)
• Country: United States 
• Language: English & Portuguese
• IMDb: 6.7/ 10
• Tomatometer: 94%
• Metascore: 77%
• The film is based on the Kingdom of Dahomey, existed approximately 1600 to 1904. 
• There's a post-credit scene showing Amenza performing a memorial ceremony for her fallen sisters.
• Lupita Nyong'o was first to be offered the role of Izogie. 

The movie starts with a group of female warriors attacking a village, liberating women who were abducted from their village. When the warriors learn that the abductees are from the Oyo Empire, King Ghezo of Dahomey gets really upset and prepares for a war with the Oyo Empire.

The all-female warriors is known as the Agojie and is led by General Nanisca. Nanisca, a woman with conviction and strong-willed seems like a very committed and hard-headed woman in charge. The war declaration by the king makes Nanisca training new generation of warriors. 

Among the new recruits is Nawi, a strong-willed girl who would rather to be given to the palace and become a warrior than getting married to wealthy man as arranged by her father. 

Izogie, a veteran warrior who longs to be a general, guides Nawi during her training. Later, Nawi discloses that she is actually adopted, when Nanisca asks about a birthback behind her back. This revelation shocks Nanisca. 

When a group of slave traders anchor on their shore, Nawi finds herself befriend one of the traders, Malik who is a half-Dahomean. During their secret meeting (Agojie is not allowed to marry and have children), Nawi learns that Oyo is planning to attack their empire, led by General Oba. 

Nawi tells Nanisca about the news, who later reveals to Nawi that her being close to Malik will bring more harm than good. She reveals that she was raped by Oba when she was younger. After giving birth to a baby girl, she embedded a shark tooth in the baby's left shoulder before giving the baby away. And true enough, there's a shark tooth in Nawi's birthmark. 

Nanisca leads the Agojie in an attack on the unknowing Oyo. The attack was successful but Oba escapes and some Agojie, including Izogie and Nawi was captured. 

The king rejoices over the win and was about to bestow the title of the Woman King to Nanisca when she request to lead a rescue mission. Her request was denied by the king.

Meanwhile, Izogie and Nawi devises a plan to escape the cage of their abductees. 

Will either of the ladies succeed in their plans - to rescue and to escape?

MY REVIEW

Plot: 4.7/ 5.0 It wasn't until I was writing this review that I learnt that the movie is based on a real kingdom in Africa and the story of Agojie. 

The movie is about action, family, drama and love. You'll love the action. 

Cast: 4.8/ 5.0 Viola, Thuso, Lashana and Sheila were great in the movie. The other actors are equally good too. 

Will I Watch It Again: Yes, I would. 

The pictures are taken from multiple sources on the Internet. Thank you.

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