Alakada: Bad and Boujee is the latest instalment of the Alakada franchise produced by Toyin Abraham.
This new comedy and drama stars Bimbo Ademoye, Bimbo Akintola, Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, Chimezie Imo, Idowu Adeyemi, Ik Ogbonna, Ini Edo, Kola Ajeyemi, Lizzy Jay, Odunlade Adekola, Okusanya Lolade, Olumide Oworu, Ronke Odusanya, Toyin Abraham.
Directed by Adebayo Tijani, the movie tells the story of Yetunde, a girl from a poor background who is ever ready to make up lies just to fit into the elite society or even escape from situations she considers condescending. This synopsis is no different from what was used to promote the other instalments of the franchise. This might leave enthusiasts thinking the new release has nothing new to offer.
However, the movie did well in cracking the ribs of most of the viewers at the cinema, mostly due to the performance by Toyin Abraham, who started as the lead character, Yetunde. Bimbo Ademoye and Lizzyjay supported Toyin Abraham in delivering the comedy aspect of the movie, which prevented it from being boring. Lizzyjay was exceptionally funny, and I must say that her casting was on point. This is the second time an Instagram skit maker has impressed me in a Nollywood movie. Others have been a letdown and should just stick to their speciality.
Alakada: ‘Bad and Boujee‘ has a beginning that lacks headway. It was just comedy and drama without a sense of purpose for the movie’s first hour. However, the director did well to make it unnoticeable. I also wouldn’t have noticed if not that I went to the cinema with my critique eyes. Those eyes made me see the poor subtitling of the movie, which had English, Yoruba and vernacular as the language spoken. I couldn’t help but feel the movie was created just to cash in on the December period, which often sees Nigerians willing to let go of disposable income.
Alakada: ‘Bad and Boujee‘ has too many Vibes! Vibes!! Vibes!!. This may be because the comedy dragged on for far too long, leaving the film without any serious purpose. The few times it tried to stray away from comedy, no real purpose was delivered. However, I was still able to learn the lesson that telling too many lies may benefit a lot, but a day will come when you will need support from one of those whom you fooled but won’t get it because you lost their trust.
I can’t wait to see the sum this movie will rake in at the box office at the end of its run. I expect it to do well, like Everybody Loves Jenifa, which delivers a similar comedy and drama vibe but with action from men of the underworld. Those who love the Everybody Loves Jenifa franchise will also love Alakada: ‘Bad and Boujee’. Alakada: ‘Bad and Boujee‘ is not the kind of movie one should expect with superb cinematography and costume. The movie is just there for entertainment purposes and not as a means to display filmmaking prowess. It gets a 6/10, which is a pointer to the fact that female actresses need to move away from this razz girl comedy-drama movies, especially now that the likes of Femi Adebayo and Kunle Afolayan are doing wonders with good story-telling as seen in Seven Doors and also Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre.