tolsbee's corner

🎬Let’s chat about Gangs of Lagos, because what is there to evaluate of a movie that delivered without fail?
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 Every once in a while, Nollywood does a self-reflection to give its viewers a blockbuster that can go head-to-head with some of Hollywood’s finest, while keeping the content focused on the Nigerian environment. The result of one of such, is Jade Osiberu’s Gangs of Lagos. And if you haven’t watched yet and can’t already tell, this is a recommended play and here’s why.
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I love how the movie dives right into its title and gives you an introduction of what to expect from Gangs of Lagos.
Gangs of Lagos gives an insight into surviving the street smart life in Isale-Eko (Downtown Lagos), through the lens of one of its own.
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The child actors were phenomenal. Kudos to whoever suggested the pairing of Small mummy (Young Gift) and Adesua Etomi (Gift/Ebun (Ebun is the Yoruba word for Gift)). Their head movements and overall body language were in sync. Before now, and with the exception of King of Boys, I wasn’t a fan of Adesua in “bad girl” roles. I just never liked what I believed to be forced acting. But with her role as Gift, she’s won me over. Knowing she was in postpartum/exclusive breastfeeding mode while filming, further made her badass. And here’s to hoping for more growth as she moves away from her stereotypical sweetheart roles.
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A surprise feature for me is Big Brother Africa’s Tayo Faniran (Nino) and Singer, Chike (Ify), I’ll be pained if I don’t see more of them in productions like this.
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TBH, every actor in Gangs of Lagos took their role seriously and understood their assignment, such that if you notice any flaw, I guarantee it has no effect on the overall quality of the movie. When a movie starts out good and keeps up with the momentum, you have nothing but praises to the cast and crew for delivering excellence and ensuring you’re not left feeling you wasted your time.
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Tobi Bakre (Obalola)’s monologue was one of the highlights in this movie for me. The brilliance at which it was delivered almost felt like I was allowed into the script writer’s thought process of the background and intention of each character Obalola soliloquized over, while still keeping me grounded in the movie itself.

I expect a sequel. And not just because of how Gangs of Lagos ended, but because Obalola’s monologue may be an indication that Bakre’s character is actually in a future time frame, narrating/ reminiscing on the events of his past (which we see in this first instalment of Gangs of Lagos).
I’ll be disappointed if Greoh Studios and Jade Osiberu close the chapter on Gangs of Lagos.
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Fun fact: The stunt coordinator for Gangs of Lagos, Tough Bone (directortough on IG) also worked with actor, Jimi Odukoya, for his fighting sequence in The Woman King.
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📺Gangs of Lagos is streaming exclusively on Prime Video. You should press ▶️on this one.

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Bonus 📑 :
1️⃣I may not have thoroughly enjoyed Brotherhood, but I love how Greoh studios is opening their doors to instagram “stars”, Big Brother alumni and other influencers, and giving them a shot at Nollywood stardom.
2️⃣My only disappointment, the Eyo chant wasn’t rendered by the Eyo masquerades. That would have been nostalgic for me to watch.