Lisabi Movie Review – Lisabi: The Uprising

Hello! Yes, I know it’s a back-to-back movie review. Funny enough, I have another blog post sitting in my drafts for over a month now, but I decided to go with this Lisabi movie review. If you haven’t watched it yet, this review might inform your decision and if you have, let’s  discuss after you read this.

Synopsis

Lisabi: The Uprising is a biopic centred around a notable Egba warrior, Lisabi, and the tense relationship between the Oyo Empire and other Yoruba entities. It’s a story of oppression, detailing how the Oyo Empire wielded its power over towns, enforcing tributes to Alaafin, the king. Those who dared to refuse faced untimely deaths or brutal punishments. Even the kings of these towns wouldn’t dare say no to paying their dues.

The film shines a spotlight on Egba town and shows how its people endured relentless oppression by the Oyo Empire. Despite their hard work, they had nothing to show for it, as all of their produce went to the empire’s tax collectors. They were treated with zero regard for their humanity, their pride trampled upon, and their women violated.

In Egba, there’s a man named Lisabi, a hard-working farmer who tries to stay out of trouble until one day, his friend was ruthlessly killed on his wedding day. This event strikes a deep nerve, pushing Lisabi to adopt a cooperative farming technique called “Aaro.” With Aaro, farmers would work together on each other’s farms, boosting productivity.

Suddenly, their farms were producing more than enough to meet Oyo’s demands, thanks to the new technique. But on the day the farmers worked on Lisabi’s own land, something mysterious happened that changed everything.

NOW LET’S MOVE INTO LISABI MOVIE REVIEW

Lisabi Movie Review

From start to finish, “Lisabi” is interesting, with no scenes worth skipping. It’s interesting and emotional, though I’d advise viewer discretion, especially if you’re squeamish or dislike blood, as the movie has its share of violence and heart-wrenching moments.

This movie is a standout. If I were from Egba, I’d probably get angry again at how Oyo oppressed them! The cast brought their A-game. Their expressions, body movements, and the storyline all came together beautifully.

Storyline

The storyline is on point. Being a true story, the storytelling felt powerful and genuine. Each scene served a purpose, and the flow was seamless. Great storytelling all around.

Costume

I loved the costumes, especially the traditional Adire fabric typical of the Egba people. The hairstyles, for both men and women, were true to the period, and the beaded accessories showcased the richness of Yoruba culture. And let’s talk about the cowries! It was beautiful to see how thoughtfully these cultural elements were woven in. One thing you can’t take away from recent Nollywood movies is how they capture our heritage in such a visually compelling way.

Props

The props were impressive. I didn’t notice any modern items that would throw off the historical accuracy, which is essential for a story set in the past. From the guns to the plates they ate with, to the houses and even the beds, everything aligned with the old setting, adding depth to the story.

Makeup

The makeup was well done, down to the tribal marks, which even actors without any were given to fit their characters. I appreciated their natural looks and hairstyles, which suited the period. The gory scenes were also realistically depicted.

Music

Now, don’t laugh, but when I watched the trailer, I thought the main song was saying, “I SEE Power.” I was thinking, “Why would they use an English line in a Yoruba movie?” But when I watched the movie, it turned out to be the Egba phrase “Baisi Baawa” . The music was interesting and added depth to the scenes.

Characters

Lateef Adedimeji as Lisabi

Adedimeji Lateef took on the role of Lisabi, the hard-working farmer who, despite being powerful, avoided trouble. He’s initially content to pay tribute to Oyo and keep the peace, but when his close friend is tragically killed, Lisabi vows to seek justice. Adedimeji did justice to the role.

Ibrahim Chatta as Songodeyi

Ibrahim Chatta embodied the ruthless leader of the tribute collectors. This guy is so evil he’d kill for the slightest reason. He’s a brutal character and a wicked rapist who terrorizes the Egba people. Chatta’s performance was so convincing that you might end up hating him if you’re not careful.

Debo Macaroni as Oshokenu

Oshokenu is Lisabi’s lazy but brave friend, who doesn’t like stress. Lisabi, ever loyal, considers Oshokenu a brother, sharing his wealth with him. Although Oshokenu’s character comes across as lazy, he’s bold and one of the few who stood up to the tribute collectors, even though it cost him dearly. Debo Macaroni really brought this role to life.

Roseline Afije (Liquorose) as Abebi

Abebi is a beautiful lady with a crush on Lisabi. At first, I thought she’d be a problem between Lisabi and Oshokenu, but Lisabi ended up helping his friend win her heart. Abebi’s tragic fate on her wedding day twists the story deeply. Liquorose, who has been known for her Chronicles with Saga, did a wonderful job here on the big screen.

Odunlade Adekola as Alaafin

Odunlade had the presence and authority required for the Alaafin role. The mighty ruler, though not directly involved in the tribute collectors’ terrorizing behaviour, does nothing to stop them. A chilling scene shows him ordering the execution of King Olodan simply for daring to challenge his demands.

The supporting cast, like Adebimpe Oyebade, Femi Adebayo, and Segun Ogungbe, Gabriel Afolayan, all performed excellently, with Adebimpe standing out in her transition to a female warrior.

Location

10/10 with no deductions. The location was perfectly chosen, free of any modern architecture.

Language

They nailed it! The language was authentic, with both Yoruba Oyo and Egba dialects represented well.

Life Lessons

• You don’t know your strength until you’re pushed to your limit. Even Oshokenu, who had no intention of fighting back, killed 10 tribute collectors when pushed too far.
• Oppression has limits. Someday, those oppressed will rise up.
• Never underestimate anyone; Lisabi was unexpectedly powerful, and no one saw it coming.

Final Verdict

Absolutely worth watching! By now, you’re probably wondering if I ever give a bad review—maybe bad movies just don’t deserve the energy it takes to review them!

Reservations

I have a couple of issues. For example, after Abebi was assaulted, the blood on her skirt didn’t match where she was positioned. It should have been more scattered or dripping down. Also, it felt like forever before anyone broke down the door after she got home. Instead of just standing there and shouting, it would’ve been better if they’d shown them attempting to break in sooner. A minor movie effect, but I’d have liked it more realistically done.



Thank you for reading my Lisabi Movie Review,  the movie is a masterpiece of storytelling, cultural representation, and powerful performances, capturing the spirit of resistance and the indomitable will of the Egba people. A big Kudo to the team.

Thanks for reading. Read my previous review  Queen Lateefah Movie Review

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