MOVIE REVIEW: GANGS OF LAGOS

 

Raimat Lawal

Politics has always been a game with other games involved in it. And I would say the recently released movie by Jade Osiberu, ”Gangs of Lagos” is a perfect depiction of it. The movie exposed viewers to the contributions of gangs, thugs, and underdogs in electoral processes – the winner is not decided at the polling unit, but rather in closed-door meetings.

The Plot

The storyline revolves around three friends - Obalola played by Tobi Bakre, Gift played by Adesua and Ify played by Chike - who grew up on the streets of Lagos having no one but themselves to depend on for survival. The movie started with the younger version of Obalola and Ify robbing a woman of her bag with a knife at her neck. This incident led Obalola to meet Nino, his adoptive father who liked Oba for his smartness and boldness but wanted the best for him, regardless. 

After Nino was killed, the trio worked for Kazeeem, the Elénìyàn; doing ruthless jobs for him. A series of backlashes and disagreements led to the death of London - played by Pasuma - a leader of another notorious gang in Lagos and Ify was blamed and sacrificed for it. With their friend gone, Obalola and Gift set themselves to take revenge.

The Good

I respect the choice of characters and they did a very good job. Tobi Bakre delivered the role of the notorious and strong person expected of him. It was nice to see Adesua play a tomboy. Gift is one who loves the people around her and will go to any length for them. Ify on the other hand created a balance between the two. Ify is that character that has that softness but has no choice but to be tough for survival. 

Iyabo, despite appearing in just a few scenes, did a very good job of illustrating the typical Nigerian mother. Olarotimi Fakunle who played Kazeem embodied what it takes to be a street villain. Worthy of note is Chioma, Ify's mother who delivered a tear-moving monologue at Ify's funeral, calling for the revenge of her son.

The movie is set in Ìsàlẹ̀ Èkò, a bubbling, crowded city on Lagos Island today. The city is widely acknowledged as the traditional seat of power and the heart of Lagos. This enables the perfect illustration of the city in the determination of who controls the affairs of the state. The movie to a considerable extent accurately portrays what the Lagos street life is like; paying close attention to details that keep viewers interested in the movie - a real street fight in Lagos is usually bloodier.

Culture - the movie successfully infused culture in its production. The typical portrayal of the Èyọ̀ masquerade is perfect. 

The Bad

It would have been nicer if the movie was a series instead; maybe not something overstressed, but something that allows for character development and some information that was only brushed through for viewers. A little explanation of the thirteen years the trio spent under Kazeeem's directorate could have helped.

Despite Mama Oba's agony in preventing her son from following the footstep of his father, viewers were only told of his death and were not made to experience the character.

Too much time was spent on the fight and bloody scenes. Although the production did a good job in making a creation that gives viewers the feeling of real blood being shed, too much time was spent on those scenes. You don't like bloody or fight scenes? Avoid this movie. It felt real! 

Language - for a movie set in the streets of Isale Eko, the typical Lagosian dialect was not used. The characters should have worked more on speaking Yoruba before embarking on the project.

My Take

The movie gives an insight into the life of a typical Nigerian kid with dreams and aspirations oblivious to what the future holds. Oba wanted to be a writer, and Ify, a great musician. What became of it?

A sequel is expected based on the inconclusiveness of some parts of the plot. It is unknown what path Teni will take. Her brave scene handling a gun when she and Oba were attacked gives viewers goosebumps. After witnessing her father die at the hands of Gift and Oba, will she take revenge? Will she follow the path of her father?

Although, a lot has been put in place for Toyin to emerge as the next governor, will it go according to plan? Will the remnant of Olorogun watch her attain the position?

At the beginning of the movie, Mama Oba laid a curse on her child, will it come to pass? Will the premonitions she had of him come to play out in his life?

All in all, Gangs of Lagos is a very good one. It is a reproduction of what true street life is all about; a clash of dreams and reality; an illustration of the power of the streets in the determination of who takes the mantle of leadership. It is also a successful attempt at bringing out bloody scenes that electrify the minds of viewers. The movie ended as a thriller that kept the viewers on their toes from the opening scene to the last.