Woman King: More than just action? My take on the visual storytelling

Okay, so I finally got around to watching The Woman King and I have thoughts. Beyond the awesome fight choreography (seriously, those Agojie are fierce!), something about the way the story was visually told really struck me, and I've been mulling it over. Hear me out: I think the cinematography and direction were consciously aiming to counter the 'male gaze' we're so used to in action flicks. Think about it – there are battle scenes, obviously, but they aren't gratuitous, you know? It wasn't about lingering on brutal violence for the sake of shock. Instead, the focus seemed to be on the women's skill, strategy, and the deep bond between them. Like, the training sequences? So much emphasis on the discipline and dedication, less on 'look how tough these chicks are'. And even during combat, the camera often prioritizes their faces, their determination, their humanity – the close-ups where Nanisca is pushing through… ugh, gives me chills. Then there's the way the love story with Nawi is presented. It felt so organic and respectful and it showed that the Agojie werent just warriors, they were women with hopes and dreams. I really dug that! Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I kept noticing these choices that seemed to actively subvert the usual action movie tropes which are often used to objectify or sensationalize female characters. It really elevated the film for me. Am I alone on this, or did anyone else pick up on that? I would love to know. Of course, it's not perfect (the pacing felt a little off in the second act, tbh), but overall, I think director Gina Prince-Bythewood really managed to create a powerful and visually compelling narrative that went beyond just 'badass women fighting' – it gave them depth, agency, and a strength that was rooted in something much deeper than just physical prowess. It's not just an action flick, it's a character study with some SERIOUSLY epic fight scenes. Ok, rant over! lol