Review: Gang of Lagos

 

The movie, "Gangs Of Lagos" could have portrayed the Isale Eko in a bad light and maybe it trampled upon the highly revered and unique Eko culture of Eyo but obviously, the movie achieved some of the primary objectives of a work of art, which is 'exposing the ills of the society and visualizing the present reality.

In recent times, in Nigeria, traditional masquerades have initiated and involve in riots, stealing from people and a masquerade have opened fire on church members, during a church program; this played out in a scene in 'The Gangs Of Lagos' and as expected, it seems not to go down well with the indigenes of Lagos and what the producers of the movie ought to have done to avoid the sober reaction is to have notified the viewers from the beginning that "NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED DURING THE SHOOT OF THIS FILM. ALL THE CHARACTERS AND INCIDENTS IN THIS FILM ARE IMAGINARY, RESEMBLANCE TO ANY PERSON DEAD OR ALIVE IS PURELY COINCIDENTAL", as it was in YASH, an interesting action Indian movie that has a similar but worst criminal-like storyline.

The ‘Gang Of Lagos’, despite being a modern action movie, appraises the Yoruba culture of ‘Egungun’ and Eko’s eyo when the narrator says ‘’ EYO, the guards of the highway of the dead, escorts souls of departed Lagos kings to the other world, and welcome home new ones. They were the first gang in Lagos. So they are our most beloved Orisa’’

'The Gangs Of Lagos' achieved a lot from the beginning, even though many viewers may not observe it: a woman was robbed in a broad daylight, in traffic, while a policewoman who was supposed to control the traffic, to protect lives and property was busy discussing with violators, to get bribe. This is a sad reality in today's Nigeria.

Another intriguing part of the movie is using Wasiu Alabi, popularly known as Pasuma, a veteran Fuji musician for the role of London: London is a drug dealer and also one of the prominent gang leaders in the movie. 

Pasuma painstakingly played a significant role in the movie and he delivered quite impressively. Although, most people will not be shocked to see the 'Oleju' crooner live up to expectations, as Jibola has starred in more than 10 Nigerian movies and his roles, are incredibly delivered.

Nigerian Nollywood has understood the effect of introducing music artists in movies, knowing well that many people who know these artists want to see their acting performances in the Gangs Of Lagos, Zlatan Ibile spectacularly played the role of Kashope Obashegun (Kash), a renowned member of a deadly gang in Isale Eko. 

You may criticize Zlatan for his RHOTACISM: Rhotacism is a speech impediment that is defined by the lack of ability, or difficulty in, pronouncing the sound R. Without mincing words. With no intention to defame the Lagosians, many Lagos indigenes, especially the Isale Eko thugs have problems pronouncing R, even in pronouncing Yoruba words that has R. and anyone conversant with Isale Eko will see a real Isale Eko boy in the Zank Master, In the Gangs Of Lagos.

Of course, Ibile was able to merge Music with acting, when he dropped a jaw-breaking 'Lamba' "Ògá Adé rora. Kó source. Kí la gbé, kí le jù? Ayo ìgò, Ayo òbe, o dè fà'bon yo bii Terminator!", and many other lines of his were top-notch, It sounded like what the street appreciates and his energy in all of his scenes were divine.

The excellent use of Yoruba, pidgin and English languages by the cast to communicate in the movie makes it blend into the setting of the movie and makes it relatable to the Nigerians.

The Director and producer of The ‘Gangs of Lagos’, Jade Osiberu deserve special accolade for introducing Black Sheriff who acted as ‘terrible’, a member of Kazeem’s Gang in Isale Eko, in the movie. His acting was not only terrific, but he was also truly terrible and a terrible betrayal. 

Also, one of the talented ‘Ikorodu Boyz’, Maleek Sanni, who played young Obalola, who later became Tobi Bakre, ex- ex-BB9ja reality TV star and it is amazing to see the striking resemblance between the little Obalola (Ikorodu boiz) and the older Obalola (Tobi Bakre).

The narrative technique adopted by Tobi Bakre who played the older Obalola is a style that makes the movie a one-in-ten. The narration spiced the whole story, gave better context, and background information and It is the life of the movie.

Gangs Of Lagos subjects around child abuse, religion, politics, thuggery, peer pressure, loyalty, drug addiction, assassination, jungle justice, family, and poverty, and some of its themes include societal influence on children, the role of the family in the making of a child, oppression of the poor, extreme political view or the danger of fascism to democracy, betrayal of trust, dishonesty and negligence of police and more.

The quality of the visual graphic is commendable and outstanding, and the sound effects are fascinating and real, except for the unreal blood effect that was almost blown out of proportion, especially in the scene where Obalola and Teni's car was deliberately hit by another car of a rival gang; the substance that was used to represent blood was too much on the floor, considering that the accident was not as ghastly to have yielded that much blood. it seems more like a fuel leakage than the blood of an accident victim.

The cast of the movie was fantastic. Kazim; the villain and betrayal, the leader of the most powerful gang in Isale Eko was indomitable until all the dirty pants were washed outside, he hunted his own, violated the general rule of the street, Obalola discovered and invoked the intelligence, strength and doggedness of the youths. Was it a better game? Brutal was the language!