Gangs of Lagos

I watched this as a Westerner - imagine the experience might be different for those versed in Nollywood.

The first half of the film is solid - a brothers-from-the-streets tale of organised crime of the kind that you've seen a dozen times before, but the Lagos setting and solid performances (at least from the leads) help it stand out. The second half limps home though. As the action ramps up the plot becomes increasingly threadbare, as it seems does the budget. It's telling of this decline that - bizarrely - a large chunk of the final showdown is very obviously greenscreened, despite just having a generic rooftop background. Without the grounding in the Lagos streets that carries the opening, the latter stages just feel like a very low budget US action flick.

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.

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.

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.