‘Makemation’, the Artificial Intelligence-themed film, premiered in cinemas across Nigeria on April 18.
With AI gaining more acceptance and recognition in the country, I was eager to experience a movie centred on it, and the star-studded cast made me even more excited.
After watching the film, I can say that ‘Makemation’ offers a compelling and refreshing story, setting a solid standard for future Nigerian movies exploring AI.
SYNOPSIS
A teenager with big dreams and poor, ailing parents gets admitted into the country’s most reputable tech institute. She must survive the new school terrain and pressure from home and prove herself to achieve anything worthwhile.
STRONG POINTS OF THE FILM
The originality and distinctiveness of the plot stand out as a major highlight of ‘Makemation’. The film offers a captivating and detailed storyline that feels fresh and largely unexplored in Nigerian cinema. The script is particularly noteworthy; every scene contributes meaningfully to the overall narrative, with no moments that feel unnecessary or misplaced.
It was impressive how the plot didn’t just centre on a girl’s dream of breaking into the tech world, but also thoughtfully wove in important subplots like intertribal marriage, girls’ education, and the issue of medical misdiagnosis. These layers were seamlessly incorporated, adding depth and richness to the story without feeling forced.
The casting and performances are another major highlight of the film. The casting director did an impressive job blending both young and veteran actors, while also being inclusive, bringing in a disabled actor and real-life tech founder and futurist, Kunle Sorinyan. This made the film feel more intentional, authentic, and relatable, rather than just another fictional story.
The strength of the casting was further confirmed by the performances. Every actor delivered their role excellently, with no one feeling out of place or miscast. Tomi Ojo gave an impressive performance as the determined yet somewhat confused young girl, while Fiyinfoluwa Asenuga was perfect as the talkative, slightly annoying younger brother. Veteran actors like Ibrahim Chatta, Chioma Akpotha, and others — whether in major or minor roles — fully embodied their characters and truly showed up for the film.
The setting of ‘Makemation’ reflects a clear sense of intentionality and attention to detail. The locations chosen helped bring the characters’ backgrounds to life; from Zara’s swampy neighbourhood to the rich kids’ home and the tech institute, every space felt thoughtfully selected.
The tech institute, in particular, stood out: from the robots to the classrooms, every element was carefully put together to make the environment feel believable and realistic, going beyond fiction. The setting also created a strong contrast between Zara’s present reality and her future dreams, reinforcing the story’s core message in a subtle but powerful way.
Another standout feature of the film is its use of sound. The soundtrack was thoughtfully curated, with each song carefully selected to fit the mood and scenes perfectly. Every track felt purposeful, enhancing the emotional depth of the story without feeling out of place. The cinematography, too, deserves praise. The visuals were striking and well-executed. Together, these elements elevated the film, making it feel more immersive and engaging.
The themes explored in ‘Makemation’ are powerful and thought-provoking, seamlessly woven into the narrative. Hope, resilience, gender equality, friendship, inclusivity, and innovation are central to the story, each explored with depth and sincerity. The film presents these themes in a way that feels organic and natural, allowing them to resonate deeply without ever overshadowing the plot.
WEAK POINTS OF THE FILM
While the movie is undeniably engaging and compelling, there is one aspect that could have been better clarified: the medical condition of Jato. It’s mentioned that he was misdiagnosed with tuberculosis, but the specifics of his condition were never fully explained. The connection between the ‘organism’ found in the fridge and the illness was also left unclear. This left some unanswered questions and could have provided an opportunity to educate the audience about the condition, giving the story a more satisfying sense of closure.
FINAL VERDICT
‘Makemation’ gets an 8.5/10
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