Gangs of Lagos

Gangs of Lagos is a Nigerian gangster crime thriller film that was released on April 7, 2023, as the first Amazon Original Movie from Africa1. It is directed by Jade Osiberu and stars Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi, Iyabo Ojo, and many others. The film is about a group of friends who grew up in the Isale Eko area of Lagos, Nigeria, and became involved in crime and violence. The film follows their lives as they face challenges, betrayals, and revenge. The film has received positive reviews from critics and audiences, who praised the film's authenticity, action, and performances23. The film also sparked some controversy over its portrayal of the Eyo masquerades, a cultural symbol of Lagos.

I don't watch much Nigerian media, but this is a quality show. Fast paced, even if the dialogue drags on sometimes. All in all, the show gives you a feet-on-the-ground feel for the no-tourists parts of Lagos.

The actors come across as authentic denizens of the streets. Refreshing to see from a Western perspective where Africa is otherized beyond recognition. I'd love to see more of these shows even if the gangland storylines can get a bit worn out. But it's set apart from Nollywood because it cuts out all the melodrama.

Cool soundtrack, fun actors and a real eye-opener for audiences overseas.

I am reviewing this with a balanced view of Western & Nigerian enthusiasm - this is the best Nigerian movie I have watched in a decade. Follow me...

THE STORY I spent my early years in Lagos (born and bred) and could see the realities portrayed in this masterpiece. I often left the comfort of my safer part of Lagos to visit the parts of Lagos (Isale Eko, Mushin, Oshodi), where you can see the hustle and bustle of those that lived the lives portrayed by this movie - the story, the language, mannerism and style of fight is accurate. In my teenage, I had seen a couple of 'Ify's' collecting 'illegal' tax from market women while maintaining a level of 'law and order' the Nigerian Police could not keep in those localities.

THE ACTING This is a Nigerian movie that was as close to accurate as it gets in portraying how a Nigerian would walk, talk, think and fight. This is on point. Trying to overdo the choreography would have taken the originality away.

THE MESSAGE The message of how some people grow up in such tougher parts of Lagos and get to embrace that life without necessarily trying to escape the dangers is real. The political exploitation of those foot soldiers is as accurate as it gets as well - 'touts' and 'area boys' as we call them fighting for 'leaders' and 'political parties' they have been told to believe in. The influence cannot be overemphasised.

Well done to the cast. I have ensured no spoilers are in this review so that can go and watch it for yourself.

Nigerian films are getting better at cinematography, scenery and soundtrack. Gang of Lagos didn't fail in these aspects.

Though the storyline is a little bit boring at some point. The street fight is ridiculously unbelievable especially with Adesuwa going to a street fight with a shotgun and nobody is scared or noticed.

It is good to see Faniran playing a gangster role.

Bimbo Ademoye as always is a phenomenal actor. She didn't disappoint in the movie at all.

Zlatan and Pasuma are the surprises of the movie. Their performances are beyond expectation.

It's not a movie I would want to watch twice so I will give the movie a seven star rating.

Gangs of Lagos

Every year, Nollywood releases ambitious blockbuster movies but many of them fail to deliver and end up just being a stellar cast with poor plots and direction. Gangs of Lagos doesn't offer anything new, as its subject matter is one that has had several iterations, but the cinematography, acting and locations help it soar.

The biggest issue with Gangs of Lagos would be its plot, it starts off strong but by its second half it trickles and becomes threadbare. The three friends who form the main leads also don't have much chemistry, this isn't a fault of the actors though but of the little time we spend with them as a trio.

The fight scenes are done well and bear resemblance to how fights are staged in Isale Eko. The violence and gore portrayed is also convincing. The problem comes with how the scenes are shot; the moves aren't filmed fluidly and the sound effects aren't always in sync, the overreliance on slow motion is also irking (gives off vibes that they don't trust the audience can see what they're doing).

For all the flaws of Gangs of Lagos, casting isn't one of them. There's barely any form of lacklustreness, even from the amateur and new faces. Adesua Etomi Wellington finally gets a movie that stretches her from her comfort zone, and it's delightful seeing her as a devious tomboy. Chioma Akpotha delivers as a Nigerian mother with as much love as drama; her monologue in the church is one that audiences won't forget. Chike Osebuka as the part-time gangster part-time musician is endearing and believable, and Tobi Bakre also gives a performance worthy of his protagonist status. Other acts like Bimbo Ademoye, Zlatan, Pasuma, Iyabo Ojo, Tayo Faniran also gave impassioned performances.

Giving how the themes of corruption, ghetto life, political thuggery were portrayed, the performances of the cast, the cinematography and the locations, Gangs of Lagos is a step in the right direction for Nollywood.

6.5-7/10.