Queen Sono is the first African original Netflix series, and its story is compelling from minute zero. Thusi is still more consistently solid than not, and Dabula, Liquorish and Kubeka are good as well. Talk about having a series we can totally relate to!! Like a great airport novel. It’s perfect for action lovers and those who want to see Africans in a more empowering light. By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. Queen Sono is a great exploration of the African landscape, both literally and figuratively. Great series from Kagiso Lediga. This 10-digit number is your confirmation number. Fast, sexy, often funny, soapy, topical, informative, fun. Queen Sono isn't just a story to be told; it's Lediga's chance to show off modern-day Africa to the world. | Rating: A- |, Apr 21, 2020 2020-03-02. We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your email. As someone who loves spy movies and TV shows, I was looking forward to ‘Queen Sono’. The reason to me at least that this show is getting good reviews is for one of two reasons. Derivative and unoriginal to the point of being laughable. From costumes to soundtrack choices to the cast, Queen Sono has confidence in its voice and identity. Queen Sono has a lot of room to grow in its second season, to actually flesh out some of these characters as people and maybe, if the show is successful enough, to get enough money to add extras to crowd scenes and raise the stakes on some of the action. More News It's hard to tell if Thusi isn't able to execute Queen's physicality, if the flaws are with the South African stunt professional or if the directors are simply less adroit with set pieces, but Queen Sono has an unfortunate tendency to fall flat at exactly the wrong points. This first season of Queen Sono gifted us with an open-ended dialogue grounded in Black and African liberation. Please reference “Error Code 2121” when contacting customer service. 2. It has a favourable 91% score from the company and a 76% score from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. The percentage of users who rated this 3.5 stars or higher. “Queen Sono” was created by Kagiso Lediga, who co-wrote the series with Camilo Saloojee, Christopher Steenkamp, and Muzi Dlamini. The actors do a terrific job. Top class spy Queen Sono takes on a mission in Zanzibar. The show was smart and action packed with a kick-ass female lead (literally). Privacy Policy | Daniel Fienberg FACEBOOK We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your account. I review South Africa's first original Netflix series, Queen Sono. has become a more important inducement for viewership than, "Hey, that show is in a language I speak and populated by actors I recognize!" Mediocre at best and stereotypical, this show has an interesting premise and great promise. It's a somewhat unremarkable start, but there is plenty of room for improvement with future upgrades. Production stills from the set of Netflix Queen Sono with Pearl Thusi, directed by Kagiso Lediga. Netflix's first script-to-screen African original series, Queen Sono, follows in the footsteps of many of the streamer's better international efforts. Queen Sono (Spoiler-Free) Review. Queen Sono: Review. On the heels of tragedy, Ekaterina makes a deal with Shandu. TWITTER Golden Globes 2021: All the Celebs Whose Families Joined Them Queen Sono is 6 episodes long (similar to season 1 of the Walking dead) and any great show that starts chaotic and moulds to objective and addictive as it progresses. All rights reserved. Would like to have more of the feel and flavour of Africa. Series creator and South African TV comedy veteran Kagiso Lediga achieves a fine balance of action, drama and reflection, and he organically presents socially conservative audiences with progressive perspectives on women, sexuality and religion. Critics (11) For these six episodes, all under 47 minutes for faster binging, it's enough that Queen Sono fits into that familiar-but-distinctive international sweet spot Netflix is carving out. I winced every time he opened his mouth. There's a top gear the show keeps not being able to reach, whether it's a limitation of editing and fight choreography or a failure to find scale at what couldn't have been a towering budget. Review: Queen Sono. ), rather sexist tropes (If you're going to be a bitch, you know, just be a bitch. and baffling stereotypes (And they say the Zulu's are bad). The portraits are horrible especially from the lead character and the rest even not that par with a average B movie. I guess the producers of the show knew what they were doing when they made a show appealing to the lowest common denominator. Just leave us a message here and we will work on getting you verified. The trip is a hoot, as granny is half blind, but more importantly, not interested in driving on the right side of the road. Netflix may not have been a big winner on Oscar night, but part of me wonders if the streamer deserves at least a modicum of credit for the relative ease with which audiences were able to embrace Bong Joon Ho's Parasite. So consider "Queen Sono" version 1.0 of Netflix's African Originals. | What an awesome opportunity for South Africa to shine, only to be wasted on taking every secret agent show stereotype and setting them in Africa. Queen imitates a reporter in an effort to question Ekaterina. Queen Sono review: Season one, episode one “Elite spy Queen Sono fulfills an intel mission in Zanzibar and makes a shocking discovery about Hendrikus, the man imprisoned for her mother’s murder” Episode summary by Netflix. | Rating: C+ |, Mar 4, 2020 My only criticism is the unnecessary amount of profanity used by everybody! The storytelling is all over the place. ‘Queen Sono’ Review: Pearl Thusi Is Compelling in Netflix’s Otherwise Unremarkable Espionage Drama Netflix's first African Originals series is a … Loyiso Madinga's normally lovely South African accent is replaced by something so comical it sounds like his voice was dubbed. If you check all the negative reviews, all viewers could not get past episode 1 (finish it and press next). I know how that feels like. 1) The bulk of critics that review this show are either not full time reviewers or down this show positively like the regular CW network schlock, only it's prettier to look at and on a bigger budget. Elton Davenport's past comes to light after Queen's recon mission in Harare unravels. Queen Sono Season 1 consists of 6 Episodes packed with entertaining events and a clear picture for view. Causing drama in the early episodes is the uncomfortable intersection between the corrupt South African political regime, a private military contractor headed by Russian oligarch Ekaterina Gromova (Kate Liquorish) and a nationalist paramilitary faction called Watu Wema, headed by Shandu (Vuyo Dabula), a fiery man with ties to Queen's past. Entertaining and rich in context, if slightly limited by budget. Fresh (10) Queen is chewed out by her sidekick for being reckless, but praised for good work a split second later, without a pause, or a reason for the deviation. When I came across Queen Sono I originally thought it was a James Bond kind of film but with an African female lead? Queen and her teammates take charge of a dangerous situation. But then they are rounded up and addressed by their new leader in, wait for it, English. Queen Sono review. | California Privacy Rights 2) It's a representation score similar to the One Day at a Time reboot that makes critics feel good that it's on even though they don't regularly watch it. Come walk with me in the light with your head held high…) It's a fierce, conscious celebration of black Africa and the women at its heart. | Do Not Sell My Personal Information Queen Sono apparently packs quite the punch, because she easily knocks out dudes twice her size, all the while looking cool, but emitting very OTT grunts. Forgot your password? |, Feb 28, 2020 I can totally relate.’ The Swahili used is right because I always get irritated when other international productions get it wrong. The lack of funding is shown throughout the show and acting is flat or over the top. Why be a mere man? © 2021 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER is a registered trademark of The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Review: With ‘Queen Sono,’ Netflix Enters New Territory A spy thriller about a South African secret agent is the streaming monolith’s first fully produced original series from Africa. Halfway through they morphed into something more. The Greeks are corrupt and sleezy. She discovers startling intel about Hendrikus, the person responsible for her mother's death. The dialogue is peppered with corny Hollywood one-liners (I've got this! Queen Sono is more than just an appealing spy thriller. Queen Sono ends the West’s romanticization of the end of apartheid and brings into focus its ugly aftermath. Queen Sono's twisty, taut thrills are matched with epic action sequences and soapy delights, making Netflix's first South African series a smashing good time. I'll give the plot and storyline a 9.5/10; the Action a 7/10; dialogue gets a 4/10 and the professionalism of the casts, would get a 6/10..hence the 4-star review. Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads "Your Ticket Reservation Details". March 11, 2020 Jean Henegan Comment(0) If you’ve ever felt nostalgic for Alias, the early 2000s ABC spy drama that launched Jennifer Garner’s career, Queen Sono is definitely a show for you. comparisons, or even my own Alias comparison, I guess. Queen hilariously eyes her granny, the road and then tries the safety belt, which of course, has not worked in years. |. | 4 Comments on Queen Sono: Review. I just wish more accomplished critical writers (who are also in touch) and less disposable click-bait made up the bulk of the Tomato-meter these days. A beautifully shot scene in an open pit diamond mine, had me sitting up. Can appreciate the technical aspects only ! With gorgeous costuming and a colorful soundtrack, there’s little the show gets wrong. Queen Sono is impressive in several ways. 10:18 AM PST 2/28/2020 All Queen — that's her name, not a title — is the daughter of a legendary South African revolutionary figure whose assassination was a pivotal moment in the transitional period after apartheid. To not even mention the convoluted and boring monologues on race relations, gender politics, etc. Queen Sono makes sure to grab your attention and never lets go. Queen Sono has a lot of room to grow in its second season, to actually flesh out some of these characters as people and maybe, if the show is successful enough, to get enough money to … Join the Newsletter! When she's asked to play high emotion, she's far less compelling and her capacity with action is decidedly limited. Critic Reviews (11), Best Netflix Shows and Series To Binge (March 2021), The 100 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now (March 2021), 100 Best Movies on Amazon Prime To Watch (March 2021), Looking for a Lady with Fangs and a Moustache, 2021 Oscar Nominated Shorts - Live Action. Trevor Stuurman knocks on the door of Pearl Thusi, the leading lady of the new African Netflix Original, Queen Sono. The image is an example of a ticket confirmation email that AMC sent you when you purchased your ticket. Queen Sono star Pearl Thusi on telling an African story and the spy drama's season finale this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Critics (11), View All Queen questions Sid about her mother's murder. | Really? Vitali kept you in the shadows. Dying Is Sore 45m. Queen Sono: Season 1 News, All Her mother, Safiya Sono, was a revolutionary whose efforts to free her country from apartheid made her one of the nation’s most revered heroes. Sitemap | Queen Sono is the first; it’s a South African production, but shot in various countries on the continent. Netflix's Queen Sono, the streaming platform's first South African series, stars Pearl Thusi as the complicated, titular hero. The series deals with subjects like corrupt politicians, complex family histories, secret missions and foreigners' interests in the continent. and the Terms and Policies, The show was smart and action packed with a kick-ass female lead (literally). |, Feb 25, 2020 Queen Sono sees Thusi play the heroine, a woman who is a field operative of the Special Operations Group (SOG). Lediga and fellow director Tebogo Malope travel Africa, shooting from Johannesburg to Soweto to Lagos to Zanzibar, and there's a fresh and colorful look to the entire series that could never be equalled by taking a few days of production in Morocco or even New Mexico and slapping an "AFRICA" chyron across the screen. Just below that it reads "Ticket Confirmation#:" followed by a 10-digit number. (Credit: Chris Duys / Netflix) Accompanying the former Quantico star on her characters slightly-destructive assignments are a few notable African actors. By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy It's simultaneously completely recognizable and easy to classify, genre-wise, but if you actually tune in for the Alias-esque thriller, you'll be exposed to a dozen languages, several of which you probably haven't heard on your TV, and to a cultural and geopolitical backdrop that makes the familiar plot feel distinctive and somewhat new. Covid-19: SA’s death toll breaches 50k mark. And at only six episodes, there isn't nearly enough time for the myriad less successful elements to become serious impediments. In Queen Sono the stereotyping abounds, but it stays one dimensional. Queen Sono is a thought-provoking show that embodies the juxtaposition between the beautiful South African culture and a rough political and social reality. Your AMC Ticket Confirmation# can be found in your order confirmation email. All rights reserved. Queen Sono Season 1 is a fresh example; a vibrant, action-packed African thriller, served as a Netflix Original Series that introduces us to a black, female lead character. Don’t worry, it won’t take long. Terms of Use | Queen Sono – an uneven mess and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango. AdChoices If you have something to say, show us, don't tell us. I look forward to season 2. Headlines, The percentage of Approved Tomatometer Critics who have given this movie a positive review. Sidney Poitier’s 7 Most Memorable Performances, All Harry Potter Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, Golden Tomato Awards: Best Movies & TV of 2020. Netflix has encouraged audiences to understand that if you, for example, like CW-style teen soap operas, you aren't beholden exclusively to The CW to produce them when you might find equally entertaining genre entries from Spain or Denmark, just like you'll rapidly discover that the rhythms of the Dick Wolf-style procedural have spread across the globe. Shandu, Sono, and her colleagues embody the spirit of the “rainbow generation,” otherwise known as the first generation of South Africans … You saw past their stereotypical traits and witnessed them grow. In this spy thriller there is room for this discourse, badass martial arts, and an honest look at neocolonialism. Top Critics (5) Riveting. In District 9 all the different groups were initially made into caricatures, from the Afrikaners, to the Nigerians. And, instead of some deep, thinky show, it’s a rollicking spy thriller. This is a spoiler free review of Season 1 of Netflix's Queen Sono … Sometimes the unleashing of the "F" bomb made no sense at all. Read full review Or so grandiose, that it becomes part of the charm? Thrilling. For about two minutes I was seduced by Queen Sono's incredible cinematography, vibrant colour treatment, fresh styling, beautiful people and director, Kagiso Lediga's love letter to Joburg, and Africa. Rave reviews for Queen Sono Mbalenhle. Lediga and Tebogo Malope directed all … Then it all came crashing down. Or, like The Black Panther but make it make sense? View All Pearl's comedic chops are showcased here, but also on the stoep, when granny goes on about gays needing to be fixed and whether Queen is perhaps a prostitute. Subtitles on Queen Sono also identify the wide variety of languages spoken onscreen (in addition to English), which range from Russian, French and Afrikaans to languages like isiXhosa, isiZulu, Xitsonga and several others that weren't granted this sort of exposure when, for example, Jack Bauer spent several hours dealing with child soldiers in "Sangala." A drama about a secret agent who fights crime while dealing with crises in her personal life. Queen Sono is not memorable, but it is a sincere and worthy kick-off. Queen is unpredictable, headstrong, street-savvy, and doesn’t like to play by the rules. The series has had quite a positive reception from fans and movie critics. Cast: Pearl Thusi, Vuyo Dabula, Sechaba Morojele, Chi Mhende, Loyiso Madinga, Rob Van Vuuren, Kate Liquorish, Khathu Ramabulana, Enhle Maphumulo, Abigail Kubeka. Queen Sono is Netflix first original African series. However, sometimes I find the conversations very shallow. Overall, Queen Sono is a colorful, exciting romp of a spy thriller that deserves a second season. This is TV. It definitely deserves more of a chance to find its footing than much of the dreck Netflix has produced in its ever-growing need to create a constant flow of content. TV Premiere Dates 2020. Ekaterina strikes a deal with Shandu after a loss. Queen Sono is a fun spy thriller that isn't trying to answer too many questions about the meaning of life, which is sometimes exactly what you need. The ensemble cast is not overshadowed or underutilized. Rotten (1). They won't be able to see your review if you only submit your rating. Sep 11, 2020. It made no sense in that setting. However, the plot is interesting; Pearl Thusi is great as the lead and shines above everyone else; some scenes have really great fusion of cinematography and score; and with more funding and better casting, this show may stay with us for long. Queen Sono Season 1 - Review. (Are you too much of a man to be led by a woman? The action in an action series needs to be believable, not? Shandu and Queen put everything on the line to ensure the safety of a dodgy deputy president. + by Zaid Kriel Updated March 3, 2020, 9:49 a.m. Posted Feb. 28, 2020, 5 a.m. Because no matter how many things Queen Sono does less effectively than Alias did — and I'll get to that soon — this is a far more complicated and immediate perspective than the one ever attempted by that Jennifer Garner favorite. Queen's early days were spent with the Special Operations Group. Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers. Queen Sono is a South African crime drama streaming television series created by Kagiso Lediga that premiered on Netflix on February 28, 2020. Queen Sono makes sure to grab your attention and never lets go. Audience Reviews for Queen Sono: Season 1. Help me rebuild this continent and I will make you an emperor when it is borne again. Season 1 Review: Queen Sono is thrilling and fun to watch, and while there are plenty of classic spy tropes to keep it firmly planted in the genre, it’s absolutely unique in its focus. Queen Sono ’s first season has only six episodes, with a second season confirmed by Netflix. With Pearl Thusi, Vuyo Dabula, Sechaba Morojele, Chi Mhende. The Brave cast: List of all characters and the roles they played. Queen Sono never falls victim to Netflix's usual "bloat issue"; the plot moves at a near perfect pace, balancing the emotional complexities of the show's heroine, Queen, and the complexities of African politics. The Russians are cold and clinical. Read also. With gorgeous costuming and a colorful soundtrack, there’s little the show gets wrong. It’s a good story and well-plotted. The settings and locations – chiefly in South Africa – are interesting and telling. New on Netflix in February 2020. The series stars Pearl Thusi, Vuyo Dabula, Sechaba Morojele, Chi Mhende, Loyiso Madinga, Rob Van Vuuren, Kate Liquorish, Khathu Ramabulana, Enhle Maphumulo, Abigail Kubeka, Connie Chiume, Otto Nobela and James Ngcobo. Moreover if I can't have that can they all just not trumpet the same horn? It is certainly a pretty remarkable start, but there is a lot of room for improvement with future updates. Queen Sono, the much anticipated first African Netflix original, dropped on the streaming service today. It should be good or not with interesting characters who aren't just representative archetypes, but this is a battle that for better or worse by the monies of today simply won't be won. By Marvs 27 Jun 2020 29 Jun 2020. That means pretending to be an art dealer in interactions with her grandmother, Mazet (Abigail Kubeka), and platonic best friend, Will (Khathu Ramabulana), and yes, the in-the-dark chum named Will is just one of many places fans will notice narrative overlap with Alias. Queen Sono proves you do not need a new Bond, you just need a new spy. Pathetic. I feel like I, like a lot of Africans are breathing a sigh of relief watching a series that we can say, ‘Hey!! Legendary South African actress, Abigail Kubekha, plays Queen’s grandmother. Even if you ignore the transgeographical flow of the series, Lediga made a concerted effort capture a linguistic collage of Northern and Southern tongues in the continent. The images of the mud-smeared miners immediately evoked empathy towards these exploited men. Queen Sono starring Pearl Thusi premiered on Netflix in February 2020, and it’s easily one of Netflix’s best spy shows. Thusi nails Queen's badass attitude and when she's prowling the streets with a defiant afro that makes her far more spottable and memorable than most undercover operatives would find ideal, her swagger is impeccable. | EU Privacy Preferences. They lovingly spar, as granddaughters and grandmothers do, then drive to granny's house. Please click the link below to receive your verification email. Queen Sono The Review! There was one heart-warming and totally authentic scene, and had the series contained more of this, one could've forgiven it its flaws. I loved every minute of it. Copyright © Fandango. Commit.) You are immediately in awe of this icon. Ekaterina spies a chance after a train station is attacked. The same goes for her boss reprimanding her, then offering her a shoulder to cry on a second later. Sign up here. For these six episodes, all under 47 minutes for faster binging, it's enough that Queen Sono fits into that familiar-but-distinctive international sweet spot Netflix is carving out. Directed by Kagiso Lediga, Queen Sono is an engaging crime series that grabs your attention from … Queen Sono is thrilling--full of action and espionage and traumatic pasts that lead to fatal mistakes. Maybe Queen Sono isn't always exciting, but it's sometimes provocative in very real ways, eschewing that frequently used buzzword of "Afrofuturism" for "Afrocontemporism" that's plenty valuable on the small screen. An action packed delight lead by the incomparable Pearl Thusi. The past is very important to Queen Sono and not just in the mid-season episode that's told entirely as a flashback. by Queen goes to visit her mother's grave along with her grandmother, played by the incredible Abigail Kubeka. Writers should be ashamed, as should the people who greenlit this shit. Overall, it was a great experience. The worst thing, however, is how well this is doing. A flawed, but fun, African flavoured spy romp well worth the data it will take to stream. Mar 9, 2020 Please enter your email address and we will email you a new password. Queen Sono tells a spy story from a South African point of view; the country’s history and its relationship with other countries are at the core of the series. Elite spy Queen Sono fulfills an intel mission in Zanzibar and makes a shocking discovery about Hendrikus, the man imprisoned for her mother's murder. News & Interviews for Queen Sono. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! & Features, More SOG, which itself has pre-apartheid roots and probably isn't exactly what it appears to be, sends agents throughout Africa on missions overseen by Miri (Chi Mhende), who I think is Queen's cousin, and Dr. Sid (Sechaba Morojele), but the organization is mysterious enough that Queen can't even tell her nearest and dearest what she does for a living.