If you’ve ever pondered over ancient African myth and magic, then Jagun Jagun will leave you spellbound. Directors Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani deliver a captivating story of valor, war and love, spiced with uncanny charms and incantations that would leave Dr. Strange bewildered. It’s not surprising that the movie has caused a stir on Netflix, hitting a whopping 2.1 million views in less than seven days since its launch on the streaming site.
Released in August 2023, the movie is set in the ancient Yoruba kingdom when fierce warlords tussled for power and control. Lateef Adedimeji plays Gbotija, a sturdy man who ventures to a warrior training camp to acquire the skills to protect his village from raiders. His enthusiasm and courage soon distinguish him amongst the other recruits, elevating him to hero status, much to the chagrin of the diabolical camp leader and warlord, Ogunjimi, remarkably played by Femi Adebayo (the movie producer). As punishment for his audacity, the scheming Ogunjimi devices a plan to get rid of Gbotija by compelling him to undertake treacherous tasks that go against his morals. Despite his tribulations, Gbotija is able to find a strange love that props his waning courage.
The acting, cinematography, stunts and effects are impressive for a Nollywood flick. The fight scenes were particularly appealing, especially the battle between two clans, where the mysterious character, Agemo, singlehandedly obliterates a band of warriors with electrifying strikes that could very well have been taken out of an Avengers movie. Another beautifully choreographed fight was chieftain Gbojunmi’s brawl at the riverbank. Ogunjimi’s maniacal twitching was a pleasure to behold – the character was excellently played and struck immediate awe. It was refreshing to watch the all-white Aje festival, with the slithering movements of the maiden, which gave a glimpse into the pristine Yoruba culture and spirituality.
What’s great about the movie is its unpredictability. The plot ran like typical African folklore that takes you on a wild ride up to a steep climax where it’s impossible to see what lies ahead. One scene had such a brilliantly, shocking twist that it would leave you with jaw open. Let’s not forget the almost endless and enviable flurry of colorful proverbs throughout the entire movie- adages that would have made Chinua Achebe grin. Importantly, the movie provided a rare insight into African myth, complete with its superstitions, and everyday use of spells for reasons other than stereotypical vengeance or money-making.
What’s not so great is that it felt more like a stage play than a movie sometimes. Naturally subtle expressions or gestures were exaggerated in the movie as a thespian would for a theatre audience to ensure they caught it. This is still a common challenge in Nollywood. While there’s no gainsaying African society can be somewhat melodramatic in its communication and mannerisms, it still has a level of subtlety. For example, quirks need not be fervently repeated in almost every scene an actor appears in to be recognized as one. Some scenes were choppy or unnecessarily protracted, taking away from the overall story. One of such is when the trio of Ogunjimi’s captains sang and ate in the bushes while their soldiers engaged the enemy in battle. The opening scene was a miss. While the directors may have been eager to introduce Agemo early, it may have been more worthwhile to start with Ogunjimi showcasing his uncanny abilities in a village raid- perhaps that of the protagonist without our knowing so until the end. There was also a slight uncertainty at the early stages of the movie over its character focus. Although we were introduced to Gbotija quite early in the film en route to his enlistment, we seemed to move on to other characters and story arcs to a point that it felt a bit like Game of Thrones which has no titular character. Nothing wrong with that. Fortunately, however, Gbotija reappeared to reassert his role as the main character for the rest of the film. Finally, the movie lacked the character development that keeps the viewer emotionally vested.
No doubt, Jagun Jagun raises the bar for Nollywood as it has successfully introduced a native hero, like a Conan or Hercules, who is lovable and compelling and one that viewers would be eager to see in more adventures. It doesn’t shy away from social commentary either, alluding to leaders who send their youthful followers and minions to fight to the death for them while their children and family are chilling out away from the madness. Gbotija breaks the fourth wall briefly, looking at the camera while he talks to let it all sink in. While more common in stage monologues, it was quite short and tastefully done here.
The end of the movie hints at a sequel and, as most franchises go, can only get better in its delivery. In all, Jagun Jagun is an entertaining watch that will surely leave a strong impression on your mind.
Footnote: Watch the Yoruba version with English subtitles. The English voice-overs don’t quite cut it. This is probably why it didn’t do too well in the IMDb ratings.
Kenechukwu Offor
Kene Offor is a Program Manager at Ericsson 5G Smart Factory in Texas, USA, where he oversees the production and supply of telecommunication products to leading service providers. Before that, he worked at Citi, Primalend, Finbank (now FCMB), Standard Trust Bank (now UBA) and Michelin.
He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria, and also attended Southern Methodist University in Texas, where he studied web development.
When he’s not working, Kene is an avid investor and enjoys engaging his creative side, writing, reading, drawing or binging on TV.
I must say this is most detailed yet ambiguous review of the movie JAGUN JAGUN.
I’ve seen it, and I definitely resonate with everything that was written in this article.
It was tastefully done; embracing the aesthetic but also criticizing the cons without depreciating its value.
Fantastic review for a great movie. It gives a down to earth assessment of the movie without diminishing the greatness and beauty of the movie itself. I am inspired to go watch this movie right away. Thanks for the very balanced review devoid of any spoilers.