The Trade (2023): Movie Review


BY Gbenga Adene


CREDIT 

Release date: January 13, 2023 (Nigeria)

Country of origin: Nigeria 

Languages: English, Ibo, Hausa, Yoruba 

Filming locations: Lagos, Nigeria

Production company: Foresight Global Films

Director: Jadesola Osiberu

Writer: Jadesola Osiberu



PLOT 

It is a story based on true events about a kidnapper kingpin in Nigeria that targets only high-profile victims. This movie shed light on his modus operandi, family, greed, and connections among others. It's full of action and suspense. 



HITS

The choice of songs is so cool. It syncs with every part of the story/scene. For example, the original song of the movie represents the East when Eric went to the village. Whoever sang the theme/original song of the movie did a good job, though I don't understand a thing in the song since I'm a Yoruba boy but I can feel it.



A phone rang and it was obvious even though it was in the pocket of the IRT Director while he was praying in the Mosque. This shouldn't be a big deal actually but this is Nollywood, In most movies, the phones don't ring before they pick them, if you understand what I mean.





The casting is top-notch! The best of the best! I was wondering who did such an amazing job and had to wait for the credits, only to see that it's Deyemi Okanlawon, they got an A-List Actor to cast a film he will not feature.



John Demps may eventually become what TG Omori is to music videos in Nigeria at the moment. John Demps did a good job, I will pay attention to more of his works going forward. The cinematography is top-notch. 



The story is based on true events, and the implementation was rightly done. 



FLOP 

When the kidnappers untie the hands of Eric, he requested his phone immediately and called his lawyer (Lawrence) to go pick up his car, how did he know that his car was already at the police station? It is very disjointed and a big flop.



PERSONAL OPINION 

I would have preferred the movie ends where Eric begged the air hostess not to open the door of the place. At that point the camera zoomed into his face! It will generate a lot of conversations. 



This will eventually be one of my top 10 movies of 2023. The Trade will be nominated in at least 2 categories in the next AMVCA. One of them will be the best lead role male category.



The movie made me ask myself, who is Jadesola Osiberu? The movie is a great work of art. Apparently, she's a big fish in Nollywood but I've not been paying attention to her, this movie made me do enough research about her and I'm adding her to the list of my favorites in Nollywood. Maximum respect for her. 


CRITICAL RATING 

7/10.



BONUS

By popular demand from Ehimond who asked me to introduce a graphics design rating to my reviews. Attached to this review are the most used or popular posters of the Movie, I prefer the first frame to the second frame. The second frame would have been the best, but the picture of Rita Dominic behind him is a no-no. Overall, 6/10 for the designs.


THE TRADE IS ON PRIME VIDEO.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Drama Over Police Reaction To Lady Who Exposed Breasts At Mohbad's Candlelight

Image
Police spokesperson, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, reacts to a video of a lady exposing her bra during last Thursday’s candlelight procession for Mohbad. The young lady raised her white shirt up and flashed her bra, exposing some of her breasts while marching with others during the procession. Reacting to the video, Adejobi asked if she was mourning the late singer and if her act was part of the candlelight procession. The video of the unidentified lady wearing a white Mohbad memorial T-shirt and dancing during the vigil procession exposing her breasts elicited mixed reactions from the public including Adejobi. Reproving the lady and calling on the organisers to redirect their energies from such programmes that could bring people like the lady, he tweeted thus: There were mixed reactions to the assertions of the police spokesman on the action of the lady exposing her breasts at the Mohbad candlelight. While many agreed with him on the need for sobriety, there were others who questioned whether t
READ MORE »

Why Mohbad Neck Was Bent Inside Casket – Coffin Maker

Image
Coffin Maker in charge of Mohbad coffin has finally revealed why the late singer’s neck was in a bent position inside the casket. Mohbad the “Peace” crooner died on September 12th 2023 and by extension was laid to rest on September 13th 2023 in Ikorodu, Lagos. Following his death, the video of Mohbad’s lifeless body inside the casket surfaced online and the singer’s neck was left in a bent state, a clip that did not sit well with many. Following the controversies that have started trailing Mohbad death, the coffin Maker however makes it known to all and sundry the reason behind the late singer’s bended neck. The coffin maker begs Nigerians to stop blaming him as he asserts that there was no time to take measurements for Mohbad coffins. He added that the father and the family wanted the coffin so fast. See reactions below; ayor_aad: Why so fast 😢 Mohbad was never dead. That boy is crying in the grave right now .. the injection they gave him was to make him pass out for a few days to ma
READ MORE »

Singer Wizkid’s Mother set for burial

Image
Mrs Jane Dolapo Balogun, the late mother of superstar singer, Wizkid will be laid to rest on October 13, 2023. She died at around 1.30 a.m. on Friday, August 18th. However, the family of late Dolapo Balogun disclosed the details of her burial ceremony on Sunday, October, 8th. In a flyer seen on social media showed the funeral arrangements of the deceased who will have a wake keep and tribute night on Thursday, 12th October, 2023. Her funeral service will be held on Friday, 13th October at RCCG City of David, Victoria Island, Lagos. The deceased is survived by her husband Alhaji M.O Balogun; her four children, Yetunde Balogun, Omolara Balogun, Olubusayo Balogun, and Ayodeji Balogun, and her grandchildren. Two months after her death, the deceased is set to be buried in grand style as arrangements for her burial are already in top gear.
READ MORE »