This is a PSA for all to go on their Netflix account and watch Gina Prince-Bythewood’s “The Woman King.” Starting today, the Oscar-snubbed epic is available for your viewing pleasure.
I presume many of our readers have seen the film. I won’t regurgitate my thoughts on it. According to the pundits, it was supposed to get Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress nominations. Did it deserve it?
Since you’re still reading my site, after all the months where I slammed this movie at every angle, I gather you are more or less in my camp when it comes to this movie. Then again, maybe you do love it and still enjoy coming here, so mad props to you for continuing to do so.
I didn’t feel the same high certain critics felt with “The Woman King.” It’s a mostly bloated and messy epic about black female warriors. Any momentum that gets built up in this 134-minute movie is quickly destroyed by constantly unnecessary narrative interruptions. The action is also very choppy.
Prince-Bythewood did a better job directing the thrills in Netflix’s half-decent “The Old Guard.” However, Viola Davis was fine as General Nanisca of The Dahomey army. Ditto Lashana Lynch, who easily gets best in show awards here, but too bad she had a supporting role. At least the costumes were great?
I’ve been called racist, sexist and even, weirdly, homophobic in regards to my dismissal of this film. Imagine being a critic for one of the big city newspapers and having to admit that the movie is questionably mediocre?
At TIFF, I spoke to one of these people, who will obviously remain nameless. They dismissed the film after the premiere, but then, a few days later, I check Rotten Tomatoes and their review for ‘Woman King’ was positive. What gives? Have some balls, man. Be courageous and honest.
With that being said, I look forward to readers’ thoughts on this film, which has a 99% audience score on RT. Not to mention that A+ CinemaScore.