THE WOMAN KING MOVIE REVIEW

For a film that deals with Africa’s tragic legacy of colonization and slavery, The Woman King is a surprisingly fleet, action packed, crowd pleaser. It is the year 1820, and Nansica (Viola Davis) is the general of the Agojie, an elite force of warrior women who faithfully serve Ghezo, the King of Dahomey (John Boyega). In order to protect his people from rival tribes and slavery, the King has entered into an uneasy alliance with the Portuguese. This doesn’t sit well with Nansica who knows that once the Europeans have enslaved Dahomey’s neighbors, they will come for the Dahomey as well. Nansica must now defend her people from the raiding Oyo tribe, while trying to convince her King to reject the slave trade altogether. Into this difficult situation comes Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), a headstrong recruit who has been given to the Agojie for training and conditioning. Eventually, Nawi comes to the attention of General Nansica, who sees much of her former self in the rebellious young recruit. Our reviewers Harmoni, Michael, Kim, and Marco were all entertained by this action adventure film from director Gina Prince-Bythewood, even as it reminded us of the horrors and injustices of history.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE/TRAILER

DIRECTED BY: Gina Prince-Bythewood

STARRING: Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, John Boyega, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Adrienne Warren, Jayme Lawson, Masali Baduza, Angélique Kidjo, Jimmy Odukoya, Thando Dlomo, Jordan Bolger, Zozibini Tunzi, Makgotso M, Siv Ngesi

 

YOUR REVIEWERS

 

Marco Noyola (Digital Noise, Highly Suspect Reviews, Screener Squad, Audio Editor)

By day, Marco is a mild-mannered office worker, but by night he is a mild-mannered movie watcher. He does other mild-mannered stuff too.

“You don’t need to follow me. You don’t need to follow anybody!”

 

 

 

Harmoni Anderson (Screener Squad, Highly Suspect Reviews, Unstabletop Gaming)

Harmoni is a mermaid-haired, millennial, rum drinking, Section 31, Slytherin (who’s divorced J.K. Rowling) preschool/nursery teacher and multi genre geek who also loves all things film, tv, fashion, makeup, and an embarrassingly huge BTS stan. Like really embarrassing. As in, mention them and then sit back and watch the insanity. Harmoni likes being able to game and talk movies/TV with people that aren’t 3 feet tall or all that demanding of her. Plus she can curse at us and not get fired….so bonus!

 

 

Michael Van Slyke (Screener Squad)

Michael is a second-generation Air Force brat born in Tucson, raised in San Antonio, and living in Austin since the mid ’80s. Since being introduced to Star Trek as a child by his mother Michael has had an obsessive love of all things sci-fi. He is a cartoonist, illustrator, costumer, leatherworker, amateur luthier, singer, aspiring voice actor, and a motion graphics artist. With all these interests and skills, he thinks the term “Renaissance Man” sounds better than “artsy guy with ADHD”. He lives with his lovely and nerdy wife Harmoni Anderson and their two cats. When not watching and discussing sci-fi and fantasy movies and TV he looks for new hobbies and skills to try. He also listens to Harmoni try and teach him things about K-pop band BTS. Like… all the things about BTS.

 

 

Kimberly Brown (Highly Suspect Reviews)

Kimberly wants to live in a world filled with blue telephone boxes, speedsters, and ice dragons but through an ironic twist of fate, she’s stuck in this reality where these wondrous things only exist on page or film. Kim’s perpetual desire to consume sci-fi and fantasy media as a teen led her to the study of illustration/design at university to better understand its creati...