MOVIE REVIEW: JAGUNJAGUN (WARRIOR)

Title of movie: Jagunjagun (warrior)
Release Date: 10 August 2023
Written by: Adebayo Tijani
Produced by: Femi Adebayo
Duration: 2hours, 14minutes and 21seconds

Jagunjagun (warrior) is a Yoruba cultural movie produced by a veteran nollywood actor, Femi Adebayo. The graphics/cinematography was great. The casts delivered professionally and excellently. Elements of Yoruba culture was easily identified as it uses Yoruba cultural customs, makeup and language (intonation).

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Without doubt, Jagunjagun raises the standard of nollyword as the movie delivered crucial aspect of storytelling. The production, acting, location and all other things are in place.

The Plot

Gbotija (Lateef Adedimeji) is a young man who enrolled in a warrior training camp owned by the great warrior, Ogunjimi (Femi Adebayo) so as to avenge his father's death that was killed during a war. Ogunjimi happen to be a warrior that is respect all over the village and beyond. He usually assist villages in fighting war on invitation by the king or the ruler. He later felt insure of his position as the number one warrior after the arrival of Gbotija who showed some uniques features when compared to other trainee warriors. Aside this, he (Ogunjimi) doesn't like the fact that Gbotija and his daughter, Kiitan (Bukunmi Oluwashina) are having a romantic relationship.

Lateef Adedimeji in Jagunjagun
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Gbotija later saved Ogunjimi wife's life when assassins were sent to her by an herbalist from another village. This earned him respect among other warriors in the same camp. The news reaches Ogunjimi's ear in no time and he decided to end Gbotija's life by camouflaging three challenges which will lead to his promotion.

The first challenge was to fight against Gbogunmi (second highest warrior after Ogunjimi). No one believe that Gbotija will defeat him but surprising, he won the challenge. Though, it was a bitter success for him.
He was asked to sleep in a coffin for seven days and he did. That was the second challenge. The last challenge was a tasking one as he was asked to wage war against a village who did nothing wrong. He was reluctant at first, but he later obeyed the last command.

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Later on, he realised that he was being played by Ogunjimi and was able to defeat him through the help of Ogunjimi's wife.

The Good

Jagunjagun had a top notched work by the cinematographer. The graphics is so good and clean. Every details of the movie appeared decent and neat. I believed that much work was put into it from different camera angles and drone used. The entire location set up showed the real Nigerian ancient culture.

The customs and makeup perfectly fit in to each scene. Also, the stunt displayed by actors are mindblowing as we rarely have such in nollywood movies. It looks real. The suspense were light and catch the attention of viewers at intervals.

The casts delivered excellently well. Notable ones among them are Laeef Adedimeji, Femi Adebayo, Fathia Balogun, Ibrahim Yekini Itele and so on. It is a high milestone for Lateef Adedimeji as he gained more recognition due to his excellent acting in the movie.

The Bad

Firstly, Kiitan shouldn't wear a modern palm slippers. The movie is expected to showcase the ancient culture and that's what it should do. Also, Ogunjimi should have showcase more of his skills on the battle field.

Watch and enjoy JAGUNJAGUN on Netflix.