The highly anticipated Nollywood’s epic film ‘Lisabi: A Legend is Born‘ premiered on Netflix on January 10. The film, produced by Adebimpe Oyebade Adedimeji, follows its prequel ‘Lisabi: The Uprising’ which left viewers with numerous unanswered questions.

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The sequel was expected to provide deeper insight into Lisabi’s story. Unfortunately, it fails to deliver its promise, feeling more like an extension of the prequel than a standalone story.

Despite commendable performances and notable themes and cinematography, it falls short of expectations, with a disappointing storyline and historical inaccuracies.

SYNOPSIS

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The tale of the birth and rise of the folk hero Lísàbí Agbongbo-Akala, destined to save the Egba people in the face of a treacherous leader. The film explores the cultural and political struggles of the Egba people under oppressive rule and highlights Lisabi’s pivotal role in leading the Egba resistance against subjugation.

THE STRONG POINTS OF THE FILM 

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The highlight of this sequel is its ability to address the unanswered questions left by the prequel, particularly how Lisabi, the humble farmer, transformed into a formidable warrior. This transition, a source of curiosity, is explained in the simplest way possible, ensuring no further ambiguity. The use of flashbacks is particularly effective in filling the gaps, as it provides a well-rounded backstory that adds layers of depth and development to Lisabi’s character.

The performances in the series are commendable, with every actor bringing their characters to life through a seamless blend of dialogue and facial expressions. Speaking of facial expressions, did you notice Bimbo Akintola? She appeared in just one scene and she completely owned it. Her portrayal of pain after being stabbed was both intense and deeply moving. Despite her brief appearance, she delivered a performance that was nothing short of perfection.

The themes in ‘Lisabi’ are profound and relatable, raising questions about human nature. For example, why would someone help you escape oppression, only for you to become so consumed by envy that you betray them? The film explores themes such as love, jealousy, leadership, and betrayal in a way that feels both authentic and compelling, which is truly impressive.

Another notable aspect of the series is its cinematography, costumes, and effects, particularly the portrayal of tribal marks. These elements beautifully showcase Yoruba culture in its most authentic form and add depth and richness to the overall visual experience.

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THE WEAK POINTS OF THE FILM 

The major weakness of ‘Lisabi: A Legend Is Born’ is its underdeveloped storyline and overly extended scenes. The plot feels incomplete, with some parts rushing through crucial moments, leaving little opportunity to understand or connect with the characters. There’s a noticeable lack of character development. The subplots also lack depth, and moments like the betrayal by Lisabi’s friends come across as abrupt and underexplained. Many of the scenes feel overly extended, resulting in a slow pace and making the film more exhausting than captivating. While certain scenes, like the one where Lisabi is accepted by the mysterious beings, seem to be designed for cinematic impact or to evoke emotion, they just miss the mark and fail to deliver that intended feeling. Additionally, the prolonged fighting scenes, which appear to be filmed in slow motion, only draw attention to the flaws of the scene, making them feel more exaggerated than impactful.

Another area that could have benefited from more attention is the historical accuracy. Since ‘Lisabi’ is set in the 18th century, the film should have ensured that every detail aligned with that period. Unfortunately, it falls short in this regard. There are noticeable inaccuracies, such as the use of modern-day diapers for young Lisabi and the artificial nails worn by his mother. Also, it’s widely known that kings are traditionally prohibited from seeing corpses, so it was puzzling to see the Alaafin breaking that rule in the film.  While these may seem like small details, they significantly disrupt the film’s immersion in its historical setting because they are really out of place.

Just like the prequel, ‘Lisabi: A Legend Is Born’ struggles with language authenticity. While it is understandable that training the entire cast to speak the Egba language might be challenging, there could have been a focus on properly training the key actors or opting not to use the language at all. Throughout the film, some cast members would speak in Egba in certain scenes but forget to do so in others, relying on the word “dede” as if it alone could make a statement sound like it’s in Egba. Then there is Olumide Owuru, whose Yoruba sounded almost like a completely different language, raising the question of why he was cast in the first place. This inconsistency was tiring and detracted from the overall experience.

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While the costume design and tribal mark effects were executed with attention, some of the computer-generated images (CGI) were noticeably unrealistic and too obvious. The mysterious beings who assisted Lisabi during the fights felt especially out of place, with one scene even resembling an animation. Additionally, the war scene props, particularly the swords and shields, lacked authenticity. It was clear they were made of wood so the sound of metal clanging during the fight became jarring. Another detail that could have been improved was the white beards of the old men. Moreover, aging goes beyond having a white beard, and it is high time additional elements are used to reflect age in Nollywood.

FINAL VERDICT

‘Lisabi: A Legend is Born’ gets a 5/10

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