Movie review: Lisabi is a mixed bag of history and fantasy

When trailers of movies are released, there is always excitement because expectations are raised and so, you want to see a masterpiece; storytelling in its best form, especially when the trailer heightens your hopes. Does “Lisabi” live up to expectations? 

“Lisabi”, a movie directed by renowned Niyi Akinmolayan, released on Netflix, is a historical drama that attempts to retell the story of the Oyo Empire, but from an angle not expected and not spectacular.

The Plot of “Lisabi”

The result is a disjointed narrative that fails to cohere into a satisfying whole. The film’s climax is particularly underwhelming, feeling like a non-sequitur that fails to tie together the various threads of the story.

“Lisabi” is a mixed bag of history and fantasy. While it has some strong moments and impressive production values, it ultimately falls short due to its lack of originality and poor pacing. 

No doubt, the film’s themes are thought-provoking, but its execution is often clumsy and confusing. With some tighter editing and a more focused narrative, “Lisabi” could have been something truly special. As it stands, it’s a middling effort that fails to leave a lasting impression.

However, the film’s biggest problem is its lack of originality, as it rehashes familiar stories and themes that have been told over and over. However, the setting and atmosphere of the Oyo Empire are well-crafted, immersing the audience in a rich Yoruba culture where agriculture is a big deal, and crude oil is not in the picture. 

Characterisation

As with many recent Nollywood movies, it is star-studded (a common marketing strategy), and individual performances are overly dramatic. This is one thing that can draw the audience’s attention, but how does it help the narration? 

Instead, he is just an ordinary farmer, and when the director thinks it right, he becomes the one who has access to all the gods. That seemed like an afterthought. Besides, it is supposed to be a war among human beings, not of gods and men. 

Meanwhile, the ‘quiet’ of the women in the film is too obvious to be overlooked. Is that a commentary on the role of women in the Oyo Empire? 

History says that in the Oyo Empire, women held various important roles that contributed to both the social and political life of the society. They held political positions, managed markets and were market leaders – the Iyalodes, women participated in religious practices and rituals and there were amazons among them.

So, why did Akinmolayan gather all those stars just to sit and watch as men stain the battleground with blood? 

There is a hint the women will be more outspoken in the next chapter though.

Besides that, the chemistry between the leads is palpable, and their relationships are convincing, but the supporting characters are often relegated to the background. 

The dialogue is unconvincing

Sigh! The dialogue is often clunky and stilted, with characters speaking in overly formal language that feels unnatural. We look forward to a time when dialogues are so inspiring you could create quotes out of them. 

Any relevance to current events?

One of the film’s biggest strengths is its exploration of themes that are still relevant today – The struggle against oppression and the power of tribute collection is timely and thought-provoking. 

Cinematography 

The cinematography is beautiful, capturing the lush landscapes and vibrant colours of the Oyo Empire. The production design is also impressive, bringing to life the bustling markets – though scantily – and cultural architecture of the era. 

The costumes and makeup are equally impressive, transporting the viewer to a different time and place. Since Nollywood started creating villages for such storytelling, the cinematographers have always had a swell time. 

We don’t expect to see CGI in an ancient setting where wars were fought with swords, strength, determination and numbers. 

Overall thoughts

The film’s pacing and transitions are where it falters the most. The transitions – which is always a problem with storytelling in Nollywood – between scenes are often abrupt and confusing, leaving the viewer feeling lost and disconnected from the narrative. At times, it feels like the director is trying to cram too many plot points into a single scene, resulting in a jumbled and confusing mess.

That kind of narration leaves you hanging and wanting for gaps to be filled. 

Akinmolayan’s reliance on slow motion and soundtrack is an attempt to elevate emotions, distract the audience from the clumsy transitions and draw the audience in, but it feels forced and unnecessary.

Rating: 5.5/10