The Woman King (2022)

The review finds the film a groundbreaking, rousing action epic, while acknowledging its wish-fulfilment ending. It especially praises Viola Davis’s subtle performance and the depth added by the outstanding ensemble cast.

The review calls the film a quietly radical, crowd-pleasing action epic and a rare cinematic event. It especially praises Viola Davis’s raw lead performance and the relationship between her character and Thuso Mbedu’s rookie warrior.

Newland finds the film a vivid, unusually affecting historical action drama. She praises its forceful portrayal of Black womanhood and its breathtaking combat sequences.

The review presents the film as an entertaining historical epic that deserves a lively audience response. It singles out the performances as terrific.

The critic calls the film epic entertainment. She singles out Viola Davis as a mighty warrior woman.

The review finds the film an entertaining, sumptuous throwback to classic Hollywood epics, despite some script and pacing stumbles. It particularly praises the cast’s performances and the thrilling, physically forceful action choreography.

The review presents the film as an impressive, action-driven warrior epic. It singles out Viola Davis as stunning in the lead role.

Erbland finds the film an entertaining, worthwhile Hollywood action epic, while arguing that stories like it should not be so rare. She praises its vivid setting, exciting battle sequences, and strong ensemble performances, though she criticizes some contrived plot and romance elements.

Hoffman finds the film entertaining and nearly great, but says its treatment of slavery creates jarring tonal shifts and a hollow ending. He praises the cast, especially Thuso Mbedu, and the richly designed production and striking cinematography.

Chang finds the film a forceful, exhilarating action-drama, though its history and characters could use more depth. He especially praises the performances of Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim and Lashana Lynch, and the vivid production design and costumes.

The critic calls it a sturdy, rousing piece of studio entertainment, though the action could use more fight scenes. They praise the ensemble’s performances, especially Thuso Mbedu’s bold, emotionally wide-ranging turn.

The review sees the film as idealised historical mythmaking that turns Dahomey’s past into an allegory for liberation, equality and progress. It praises the adventure epic’s feminist call to arms and its portrayal of women warriors, while noting its liberties with history.

The critic finds the film narratively muddled but entertaining and technically brilliant. She particularly praises Viola Davis’s nuanced performance and the film’s energetic action and production design.

Debruge finds the film stirring and compelling, though somewhat stodgy and less effective than its historical ambitions suggest. He especially praises Viola Davis’s commanding performance and the Agojie ensemble’s training and battle sequences.

The URL identifies this as a review of The Woman King. The page text is inaccessible, so the critic’s verdict and specific praise or complaint cannot be verified.

The review sees the film as crowd-pleasing but stale, relying on familiar plot beats and regressive ideas about warfare and revenge. It praises the battle sequences’ visual staging and the performers’ commitment, especially alongside the lush costumes.

Willmore finds the film rousing but conflicted, with its historical and political tensions limiting its broader ambitions. She praises the Agojie’s dynamics and the cast, especially Lashana Lynch’s performance and Viola Davis’s melancholy portrayal of Nanisca.

Lucas finds the film exhilarating and praises its performances and tender sisterhood, but judges its historical distortions deeply damaging. He especially objects to its portrayal of Dahomey as resisting the slave trade while condemning Oyo for participating in it.

The critic finds the film a joyous, emotionally grounded historical epic, with only a rushed romance holding it back. They especially praise Prince-Bythewood’s precise, exhilarating battle sequences and Viola Davis’s commanding performance.

Anderson finds the film a genuine epic rather than a shallow empowerment project. She praises its magnetic cast and especially its brutal, compellingly staged battle scenes.

Wilkinson finds the film an emotionally compelling action epic, despite some sprawl and a romance that feels tacked on. She particularly praises the fierce emotional sparring between the women, which she says holds the attention.

The critic calls the film a powerful, emotionally exhilarating crowd-pleaser. They single out Lashana Lynch’s warm, funny, deadly performance and the energetic action for particular praise.

The critic finds the film a warm, rousing blockbuster that complicates its historical story while celebrating Black women and culture. She especially praises the warmth and depth of the Agojie’s bonds, which she finds more inspiring than the battle scenes.

The review finds the film valuable, exciting, and successful despite occasional tonal and narrative excesses. It especially praises the immersive, well-choreographed action and the performers’ commitment.

The review finds the film a crowd-pleasing, rousing adventure despite conventional storytelling and blurred historical accuracy. It singles out the performances, especially Viola Davis, and the forceful action direction for praise.

The critic finds the film engaging overall, despite awkward editing and a slow middle. They praise the ensemble performances and the vivid production design and costumes.

The critic finds the film a crowd-pleasing, meaningful action story, despite its reliance on familiar tropes. They particularly praise Viola Davis’s nuanced performance and the film’s thoughtful portrayal of strength and vulnerability.