Recommendation: 4/5 SHOWTIME  

Plot: “A historical epic inspired by true events that took place in The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries.” -IMDB 

Review: Viola Davis is one of the best character actors of her generation. Given her immense talent, I must confess that I was hesitant about seeing her in a role demanding extreme action and combat. Any hesitation I felt quickly evaporated with the opening scene of this movie.  

Davis plays Nanisca, general of the Agojie (an elite all-female band of warriors in service of the Dahomey Kingdom). The enemy of the kingdom is the Oyo, which is larger, armed with guns/horses, and is growing more powerful by selling/trading human slaves to Europeans. Based on a true story, this film changes the narrative. It asks the audience to reconsider some assumptions. Not all Africans were bound to the new world as slaves without a fight. Using this truth, as a backdrop for this movie, fascinated and enthralled me.  

This is also a story of female empowerment. Nanisca and her warriors are an elite group serving the king and enjoying special perks because of their dedication, but the kingdom is not without sin. It too is involved in the slave trade. This gives birth to another mission and a great subplot of this story. The kingdom can grow more power by trading/selling palm oil and other goods, but the general must convince her king of the truth.

This film really shines when our warriors are at war. The training sequences and battles in the film reminded me of Gladiator. Which is a lovely comparison in my mind, because the battles in this film filled me with the same sort of excitement. Yet, there is another subplot in this film focused on Nanisca’s past and her connection to a recruit that felt a little flat and forced to me. It does not distract from the overall focus of the movie, but its emotional power never really landed in a way I found satisfying.  

Movies such as this always build toward a climatic last battle. This one occurs as an act of defiance, which makes it even more special. The last punches, explosions, slashes of sharpened metal, and sprays of blood become something bigger when you realize the mission is freedom. The goal in this conflict is to ensure the ships of slavers sail away empty.  

This film surprised me. It taught me more than I expected and made me hungry to learn more. If that was its goal, it was almost a flawless victory.  

Be good to each other,  

Nathan