THE WOMAN KING – Review

Four years ago, Hollywood was rocked by the surprise success of BLACK PANTHER. Mind you, since it was from Marvel Studios, execs had an inkling that it wouldn’t lose money, but few that it would go on to be one of the top ten box office champs of all time, though the TOP GUN sequel recently took it down a peg. Naturally, fans of it have been clamoring for a sequel which is still several weeks away. Well, this week’s big release may please them, and perhaps make them even more engaged. That’s because it’s more anchored in reality than Wakanda since it adheres somewhat closely (yes a few “liberties” are taken) to actual events and history. But like the earlier film, it deals with tribal royalty, but this ruler isn’t the story’s main focus. Rather, it looks at his most trusted aide and advisor, which inspired her unofficial moniker of THE WOMAN KING.

This saga begins on a night in South Africa in 1823. A band of Oyo slavers have “broken camp”, but they won’t slumber. It seems that they have been surrounded by the Agojie, an elite army of female warriors from the kingdom of Dahomey. Their commander, Nanisca (Viola Davis) leads the attack, slaying several of the Oyo, sending others into the night, and leading their slave cargo back to the center of Dahomey. When they arrive, Nansica reports directly to King Ghezo (John Boyega), before her squad marches back to their enclosed area, away from the royal quarters. In another part of the village, a spirited young woman, Nawi (Thuso Mbedu) rejects another arranged marriage, lashing out at her potential husband. Nawi’s frustrated father escorts her to the gate of the Agojie fortress. She enters and is offered a chance to be part of the group after Nanisca explains that they will live apart from the village, never take a husband, and never bear children. Nawi begins her training under the watchful eyes of the tough trainer Izogie (Lashana Lynch) and Nanisca’s main aide and confidant Amenza (Shelia Atim). Nanisca tries to offer opinions to her King but is often thwarted by the most ambitious of his wives. A retaliatory attack from Oyo is imminent, They’re much more powerful since they’ve aligned with European slave traders that provide them with horses and rifles. When Nawi encounters a sympathetic “foreigner”, the half-Dahomey Malik (Jordan Bolger) in the jungle, she learns of an upcoming sneak attack by the Oyos and their allies that would cut them off from the trade ports. Will she get the word to Nanisca in time to mount a counterattack and retain their independence while stopping the horrors of the slave trade?

In the title role, Davis is truly fierce as the tough, determined leader of her army. We can easily see how she inspires them to face any challenge and follow her anywhere. But her Nansica is not an all-powerful super-heroine. In her quiet, private moments we see that life has taken its toll on her as she trains not only her body but her scarred psyche. We also see her flex her persuasive skills as she tries to “earn her king’s ear”. As Gehzo, Boyega has the lofty air about him as he tempers those in his favor with a strict code of decorum, wanting us to see that he welcomes advice, but adamant that he will have the final word. Mbedu brings youthful energy and enthusiasm to the often impulsive Nawi, annoying her elders as they recall their own past “pig-headedness”.Lynch is just the perfect guiding force for her as Izogie, who also has a zest for life as she relishes a swig from her hidden flax of the “foreign elixirs”. Almost equal to Davis’ ferocity is Atim as her trusted cohort and warm friend Izogie who doesn’t hesitate in taking the..air out of Nansica’s sails.

Director Gina Prince-Blythwood doubles down on her skills as an action director, easily matching the tone of her previous effort, THE OLD GUARD, while grounding the flashy stuntwork in the harsh reality of South Africa. The screenplay by Dana Stevens from her story with Maria Bello (yes, the actress/director) mixes the battles with behind-the-throne politics and amplifies the terrors of slavery when it’s facilitated by fellow countrymen. Unfortunately the big “set pieces” are separated by long stretches of training montages and exchanges between the “baddies”. Then there’s the clumsy “shoe-horned” romance between Nawi and Malik that feels contrived and truncated, especially during the final act (smoother editing was needed). Speaking of cutting, much of the violence in the big battle scenes feel muted, with broadswords causing little gore, perhaps to achieve a more “all-ages friendly” PG-13 rating (didn’t work). The same for the relationship between Nansica and Izogie, as the finished film seems skittish about making them more than supportive warrior pals. Despite these reservations, this is a “worthy watch’ due to Davis and the peek at tribal history and everyday life in a brutal world. And that world of Dahomey is a vibrant, interesting one thanks to the Agojie led by THE WOMAN KING.

3 out of 4

THE WOMAN KING is now playing in theatres everywhere