Movie Review: Brotherhood: Another cliche Nollywood movie?

Film Title: Brotherhood

Runtime: 2 hours 

Director: Loukman Ali

Producer: Jade Osiberu 

Launch date: 23 September 2022

Solid: Sam Dede, Ronke Oshodi, Zubby Michael, OC Ukeje, Folarin Falana (Falz the Bahd Man), Tobi Bakre, Brilliant Okpocha (Basketmouth), Toni Tones, Omawunmi, Jidekene Achufusi, Debo Adedayo (Mr Macaroni), Boma Akpore, Diane Russet, Dorathy Bachor and Seyi Awolowo.

Earlier than we begin this evaluation, I wish to use this medium to ask the producers of Brotherhood for a sequel as a result of there are various questions I would like solutions to.

After I scrolled by means of Twitter and noticed many individuals raving concerning the ‘Brotherhood’ film, I believed it was most likely a type of overhyped, boring movies. With this hunch, I went to the cinema, the place I used to be proved unsuitable.

‘Brotherhood’ comes from the artistic thoughts of Jade Osiberu, who’s answerable for many blockbusters corresponding to ‘Ayinla’, ‘Isoken’, and ‘Sugar Rush’. Whereas the movie has a number of flaws, it was a breath of recent air from the cliches and tropes in Nollywood.

Directed by Ugandan filmmaker Loukman Ali, the movie is much like the 2004 Nollywood traditional drama thriller, Harmful Twins, starring Ramsey Nouah. It tells the story of dual brothers, Wale and Akin, who discover themselves on completely different sides of the regulation and morality.

The Tea (The Plot)

As talked about earlier, ‘Brotherhood’ primarily focuses on twin brothers Akin (Tobi Bakare) and Wale (Falz), who misplaced their mother and father rising up. Whereas Wale went on to hunt a job as a detective, Akin turned a felony, which landed him in jail a number of occasions.

After serving a time period in jail, Akin is launched and knowledgeable that his twin brother has reached a brand new job with the anti-crime unit, SWAT. Primarily based on his response and dialog together with his aunty (Ronke Oshodi), one can shortly inform that each brothers don’t get alongside.

Ignoring the possibility and recommendation to show a brand new leaf, Akin joins an armed theft gang referred to as the Ojuju Boys. Resulting from his intelligence and community, Akin helps step up their theft recreation and falls in love with a crew member, Goldie (Toni Tones).

In the meantime, an incident causes Wale to analyze the Ojuju boys’ identification.

Issues have been going nicely for each brothers till Akin confirmed up uninvited at Wale’s marriage ceremony occasion, flaunting his newly discovered wealth. It makes Wale suspicious of Akin being a part of the infamous theft squad.

Quick ahead to the group’s ultimate heist, and each brothers discover themselves in a standoff the place solely one in every of them legally survives.

The Good

Cinematography is applaudable as digital camera actions and lighting complement the intentions of every scene. My favorite scene regarding cinematography could be the SWAT workplace as a result of the rays of daylight emitted by means of the home windows gave a way of realism to the movie.

READ ALSO: Falz releases video in honour of victims of police brutality

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The placement contributes to a movie’s success, and it’s fairly protected to conclude that the director nailed it. The places from the third mainland bridge to the Ojuju boy’s hideout made many motion sequences plausible and a pleasure to look at.

It will be considerably of a criminal offense if I don’t give credit score to the forged, as all of them delivered excellent performances. OC Ukeje did a wonderful job switching from being a Nollywood heartthrob to a grasping dangerous boy referred to as Izzie. Tobi Bakare made me take him severely as an actor, and Falz confirmed that he’s past enjoying characters with humorous accents.

Lastly, one thing concerning the storyline feels completely different. Possibly it deviates from the cliche narrative of dual brothers on reverse sides of the regulation however doesn’t know one another till the top. Brotherhood additionally places a brand new spin on how protagonists are seen. For instance, someplace in between the film, I discovered myself rooting for Akin though he killed his brother’s father-in-law and was, in a manner, answerable for the crimes.

The purpose is Brotherhood chooses to throw away the Nollywood cliche ebook and provides us not solely an exciting chilly open but in addition a bittersweet ending.

The Unhealthy

Brotherhood jogged my memory of the necessity for Nollywood to spend money on a scriptwriter who, along with the flexibility to inform tales, additionally is aware of how one can write dialogue. Many conversations felt flat, and there have been many “present, don’t inform” moments. The latter is that characters typically depend on phrases to maneuver the plot ahead. An instance could be Wale’s first day at work, the place he instantly meets a detective who clearly states he doesn’t like him. Part of me wished one thing completely different, like possibly having this detective shoot obtrusive eyes at Wale earlier than chatting with him.

Visible results are one other downside I’ve with this film. Whereas I sincerely recognize the trouble of the SFX (Particular Results) crew, I’ve to level out that exhibiting blood splashes on display doesn’t make it extra life like that an individual has been shot. Typically much less is extra. Additionally, to not sound like I do know all of it, however I’m fairly positive they depart a mark when bullets are fired at a automobile.

There have been some questionable casting selections, as I felt among the actors within the film didn’t carry life to their characters and have been there for promotions.

Wrapping it up is the query of who killed Akin and Wale’s mother and father. Whereas I recognize that the movie’s plot wasn’t constructed round this occasion, it solely feels proper that it performs a job. Throughout the movie, it was not often talked about, and there weren’t any teasers to maintain audiences intrigued.

Remaining Verdict

8/10.

‘Brotherhood’ is an efficient movie that would go away you on the sting of your seat, make you chuckle and cry, and ask, “God, when?” whereas watching Akin and Wale fall in love.

‘Brotherhood’ is now exhibiting in cinemas nationwide.