Beware, Askamaya thugs are on the loose again! In December, Funke Akindele returned back on the big screens with Omo Ghetto: The Saga, a comedy film featuring some of the biggest names in the industry like Chioma Akpotha, Eniola Badmus.
Set in a parallel Lagos, the film centres around Funke in a dual role as Ayomide and Lefty – twin sisters who grew up in separate areas of the state. While Ayomide was raised in affluence within an estate, Lefty was raised in Askamaya ghetto before she moved to join her mother in a high-class estate.
In the movie, Lefty remains the leader of a notorious female gang even after moving into affluence. Her daring and ridiculously uncouth manners put her out of place in her mother’s high-class circles but were very welcome and very revered in the Askamaya Ghetto.
At 2 hours and 30 minutes, Omo Ghetto, with its wordplay, comedic violence and twisted truths of the underground lifestyle of trouble makers in Lagos ghettos, is undoubtedly the funniest movie of 2020.
Funke, along with her gang Nikky (Bimbo Thomas), Busty (Eniola Badmus) and Chummy Choko (Chioma Akpotha) ran the Askamaya Ghetto.
You can take Lefty out of the ghetto but can you take the ghetto out of her?
After Lefty runs into trouble with Mogabo, a drug lord, her boyfriend, Stone (Deyemi Okanlawon) and his gang of yahoo boys step in to save her and the gang.
A major scene to remember is the clash between Askamaya and a rival gang. Although it isn’t at any level close to that of Marvel and DC, the action showed well-crafted choreography making it more realistic and enjoyable. It also had a unique comedic angle to it which made watching it almost harmless.
The comedy film was co-directed by the ‘Jenifa’s Diary’ star and JJC Skillz. The movie is a sequel to the 2010 release, Omo Ghetto which follows the tale of twin sisters who were separated at birth and are leading separate lives but later become reunited by a series of dramatic twists.
Another major highlight of the movie is Lefty and Ayomide’s mothers birthday. The unfortunate situation where unsuspecting guests eat dirty fried rice (rice laced with weed which Lefty’s friends had cooked) and start dancing unencumbered is a funny scene to watch.
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LeftyStone 2022 – Omo Ghetto turns Mumu for love
The most catching part of the movie was Lefty’s love for Stone. No matter what her friends said about Stone being below her class, Lefty stayed true to him. She even went to jail for him after he left an implicating iPhone used for Yahoo Yahoo in her car.
Despite the difficulty of being in jail Lefty didn’t rat out stone. However, Stone had other things in mind. Once Lefty was caught, Stone ran away leaving her to take responsibility for his crimes.
Although it was clear that she has been played, Lefty failed to believe that Stone had played her. When her friends told her that Stone was now going around with an ‘Oyinbo’ woman, she still didn’t believe.
Omo Ghetto is a star-studded film that features casts like Yemi Alade, Naira Marley, Slimcase and AY Comedian.
When she was finally released and confronted him, the truth she didn’t want to believe finally dawned on her. In retribution, Lefty’s friends kidnapped the ‘Oyinbo’ woman who later ended in the hospital.
The final bout was the clash between Stone’s Yahoo Boys and the Askamaya gang. When Stone goes on a war part to retaliate the kidnap of his ‘Oyinbo’ woman, Lefty who was still heartbroken from betrayal sulked and stalled actions as the gang laid low.
However, when Stone kidnaps her twin Ayomide, Lefty goes on full-scale war against Stone’s Yahoo boys. The final act sees lefty getting shot at point-blank range. Does she survive? you can check out the movie in the cinemas.
If I am to mention one major turn-off about the movie it will be that the storyline was too obvious, apart from the fact that it was funny there wasn’t much to imagine.
That said, I would like to point out that the music selections and wardrobe choices were great and exciting. Also, Funke was phenomenal in her dual-acting role. Without her, the movie holds little intrigue.
Apart from comedy, the movie gives us snippets about the life of Yahoo Yahoo, Prostitution, Police corruption and thuggery in Lagos.
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The movie premiered in Nigerian cinemas on Christmas Day (December 25) and closed the year with a major bang.
According to a report by Cinema Exhibitors Association Of Nigeria, the star-studded film raked in over ₦189 million in the opening week. This makes it the first Nollywood film ever to gross over ₦99 million in its opening weekend surpassing the previous record set by The Wedding Party 2.
It has also grossed a cumulative revenue of over ₦270 million, making it the highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2020.
The movie is set to become Nigeria’s first film to hit the cinemas in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the 21st of January, 2021.
So if you are looking for a movie to have fun and relax with, Omo Ghetto: The Saga is one of my top recommendations this week. Get some popcorn and drinks, and enjoy a full action-packed ride with Lefty.
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