The Woman King

The next movie on my list was The Woman King and I went back to the Broadway to see it last night.  I loved it so much!  The Kingdom of Dahomey has been under attack by the Oyo Empire who sell their fellow Africans as slaves to Europeans in return for guns so King Ghezo (John Boyega) is preparing for war.  General Nanisca (Viola Davis), the leader of an all-female group of warriors in Dahomey known as the Agojie, decides to train a new generation to fight in this war after a battle with many casualties.  Nawi (Thuso Mbedu) is left at the palace by her father for refusing to marry a man who beats her and she is soon enlisted to train with the Agojie by a veteran named Izogie (Lashana Lynch).  Nawi's independent spirit and recklessness attract Nanisca's attention but she also reminds her of a past trauma that affects her judgement in battle.  Ultimately, the Agojie are are instrumental in defeating the Oyo but Nanisca must fight a more personal battle.  There are a few subplots, including a possible romance between Nawi and a Portuguese visitor with ties to Dahomey and an attempt by one of Ghezo's wives to discredit Nanisca, that are not quite as compelling but I was definitely riveted by the relationship between Nanisca and Nawi and I may or may not have cheered out loud during a key moment between them.  The battle sequences are spectacular and it is actually quite thrilling to see all of these women engaging in hand-to-hand combat with cinematography that is incredibly immersive.  I loved the production design, especially the beautiful costumes and all of the rituals and ceremonies, as well as the atmospheric score.  Davis gives a brilliant and physically transformative performance that shows not only Nanisca's strength but also her vulnerability.  Mbedu is also outstanding as a young woman searching for her place in the world and Boyega gives several stirring speeches that gave me goosebumps but my favorite performance belonged to Lynch because her character is such a wisecracking bad ass (she steals every scene she is in)!  I love historical epics and this is a really good one!  I highly recommend it!