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Parents' Guide to

Amina

By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Woman fights to be queen of African kingdoms; violence.

Movie NR 2021 102 minutes
Amina Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

AMINA (Lucy Ameh) is the willful older daughter of the king of Zazzau, a 16th century Nigerian kingdom. The dad, Sarki (Abu Chris Gbakann), dotes on her and, despite the impropriety, allows her to be trained in weaponry for combat. Amina expects to use her leadership and combat skills to become her people's first female monarch. But the king's general and adviser, Madaki (Magaji Ibrahim Mijinyawa), is already plotting to usurp the throne from her father by teaming up with the leader of the Igala, a rival kingdom. The Zazzau have enslaved the captured Igala, some of whom are forced to fight to the death against Zazzau's greatest warrior, Kabarkai (Blessing Godwin Ogaga). The one who manages to injure Kabarkai turns out to be the prince of the Igala, Danjuma, a prisoner of the Igala. His kingdom would like him to return, not so he can rule, but to kill him so an Igala usurper can assume the throne. That usurper conspires with Madaki to wipe out the heirs to the thrones in each kingdom. Amina, aided by prophesies of the priestess (Clarion Chukwura), prevails, but with a high price to pay.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Amina is a messy mashup of other bloody genres and, as battle movies go, this is a hoot. Unfortunately, it's not supposed to be funny. It's shot as if it's a Greek tragedy or a Shakespearean comedy, and sinister political plots upon schemes upon plans abound. Betrayal, jealousy, gladiators, blood sports, and gamesmanship are all mixed with oppression against women, 16th century style; slavery (with Black enslavers, in this case); and war.

Most of the time this feels like Plan 9 from Outer Space, a sci-fi cinematic punchline from 1957 that director Ed Wood scraped together on a foundation of stilted, outlandish dialogue, cheap sets, bad acting, and creaky special effects, costumes, and makeup, as well as a confusing plot that mostly seems beside the point. In one Amina scene, a horse is seen urinating, and it isn't clear if the filmmakers noticed. Perhaps the editor thought it would be funny to leave it in. Like Plan 9, this is so-bad-it's-good cinema, only it's not good.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what it takes for a movie about a different culture to be watchable. Were you able to understand the historical circumstances that were presented here? How could you learn more about the movie's setting?

  • How easy is it to follow the many characters and competing schemes and plots?

  • What do you think are some reasons the men of the kingdom didn't want a female ruler?

Movie Details

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