'Living In Bondage' Sequel Review: What’s all the hype about?!
By Chisimdi's blog - November 22, 2019
Did you say ‘Living In Bondage: Breaking Free’ Review? Hold my drink.
Empty barrels make the loudest noise.
That is probably one of the first sayings you learned in school, so it sticks. And if you forget, Nollywood will remind you. With movies they spend more money and attention on promoting than they did in the making. With star-studded movie premiere that is often more about who got the dress code right and who dressed like they read the invitation upside down and missed the memo.
So you see, when news about the sequel of the movie ‘Living in Bondage’ started making the rounds, I wasn’t so excited. It was mixed feelings. Glad they were bringing the first-ever Nollywood movie back and how promising the cast and trailer were. Not so glad because empty barrels make the loudest noise.
Either way, I knew I’d watch it. It’s the same way you know after much consideration, you are going to ask the usher who is pretending not to see you, for your own plate of rice. No reason, you feel it in your spirit (or should I say stomach), forgetting that you are dressed so well and have been speaking Queen’s English. You just know that the next time she comes close, you are going to let violent take it by force and ask for what is yours. That’s the same way I knew I’d watch the Living in Bondage sequel when it finally hits the cinema.
First, I wanted to wait for the movie ticket to get cheaper before I go. Then one evening, I thought, ‘fuck it,’ wore my bodycon red gown, a black shirt as jacket, and was on my way. With how straight my face was when they were checking me in, you’d never believe I was smuggling a cup of ice cream in!
In the beginning, there was darkness. That was how the movie began. Then slowly, the light began to take over the darkness. Before I could decide where the midpoint was between light and darkness, a song started playing. It was the voice of a child singing an Igbo folk song used to make children stop crying. I couldn’t find my breath. It was taken! Completely.
Here are all the things ‘Living In Bondage: Breaking Free' got right.’ Also, somewhere below are two big mistakes in the movie.
Attention to detail
In the Living in Bondage sequel, there was great attention to detail. The type that Nollywood isn't known for. The attention to detail was everything. It holds you down tightly, and you don’t even struggle to be free because that’s where you want to be. It makes you feel like nothing else mattered but the movie.
Because no spoilers, I will stop here.
Soundtrack
This should have come first. The people that chose the soundtrack of this movie are gods. If they are religious, all their sins should be automatically forgiven. That’s if they can do any wrong anyway.
The soundtracks for this movie weren’t chosen randomly. Ample thought processes and expertise were involved. For every song, there was a reason. They matched the scenes like Siamese twins, and there couldn’t have been a better soundtrack. The soundtrack and scenes that went with them were soulmates; made for each other.
I don’t think I have watched any movie and paid this much attention to the soundtrack. In the past, it only registered subconsciously that there was a song playing. But in the Living In Bondage sequel, you just can’t ignore how good it was.
Language
This one hit differently. There was the right blend of Igbo and English Language. I don’t know if it’s because I’m Igbo or because of the way the Igbo flowed freely out of the characters. They didn’t attempt to ‘phonetize’ it, it didn’t sound like they had hot yam in their mouth. It was pure and undiluted.
It also came at points where the average Nigerian will switch to his local language. I’m in awe of these people — everyone who took part in the creation of this magic.
It also came at points where the average Nigerian will switch to his local language. I’m in awe of these people — everyone who took part in the creation of this magic.
Acting
The acting was apt! Premium. It was my first time watching the lead character Nnamdi played by Swanky JKA and his girlfriend Kelly, played by Munachi Abii. I longed for a ‘G wagon kinda guy’ who I’d look at the way Kelly looks at Nnamdi.
Ramson Noah! What? Reveal yourself to us. Who are you? The first suspicion, you don’t age. Second, the incredible acting you brought to the movie. You are a religion! There’s no other way.
His voice, his demeanor, everything was a hundred. He acted so well without making it seem like he was trying to act so well. Effortless.
Oh, and did I mention Nnamdi's father and how he shook when he was angry? Reminded me of the day my father came home from the cyber café trembling in anger. He had found my Facebook account and the pepper red lipstick I was wearing in my profile picture.
'Adaora, remove that picture at once or remove my surname from that account!'
Excellent casting and great casting. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
All these say, there were two things I didn’t buy.
The journalist character and story
I didn’t buy this at all. When scenes that involved the journalist came on, I roll my eyes. I see what they were trying to do, but it was a miss.
The character was supposed to be those weirdos in Hollywood movies who devote their time and life to a course. It could be revenge, solving a crime, etc. They go crazy extreme for this course, and there is always something strange about them. Their dressing, the way they talked or looked, or anything about them stood out as strange.
This was what they tried to do here, but it didn’t work. It was also obvious the character was trying so hard.
The rush at the end
The last few minutes felt like a rush.
It looked like it hit them that the movie had dragged on for longer than planned, so the Director yelled an impromptu, ‘CUT!’
The story was good. The special effect was surprisingly professional; believable. The locations were also something. It went lowkey when necessary and brought the bling when needed too. From Nnamdi’s village in the east to the private jet; great choices!
I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel directed by Ramson Noah and co-produced by Steve Gukas, Dotun Olakurin and Charles okpaeleke. The movie is of premium quality, and that’s what all the hype is about.
This is the future!
6 Comments
The movie was so good that I forgot the journalist part even existed. That part made me cringe, but the story telling and every other thing made me forgive them completely.
ReplyDeleteI can relate!
DeleteFantastic movie and it was swanky jka that played the lead and not eyinna nwigwe. Lovely read. Thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Have seen it twice
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I'm glad you did.
DeleteWow! Interesting analysis, Chisimdi. Now I feel like watching the movie for myself. That ice cream smuggling idea make sense o. I’d have tried it too, but my face will betray me. Lol. Well done.
ReplyDeleteLol. You should watch it. Please don't smuggle ice cream into a cinema. That's bad behaviour. LOL.
DeleteThank you!