When I heard that Tokunbo was coming to Netflix, I was eager to see how it would unfold. The trailer hinted at something creative and exciting, but after watching the film, I have to admit I was disappointed. Like a regressive tax, the movie starts off strong but quickly loses its appeal. Here’s why.
The Plot: A Rollercoaster of Missed Opportunities
Tokunbo, directed by Ramsey Nouah and written by Todimu Adegoke and Theckla Uzozie, follows the story of the main character, Tokunbo. He starts off delivering illegal cars for a notorious gangster named Gaza while worrying about his wife’s pregnancy. Realizing how dangerous Gaza is, Tokunbo decides to leave his criminal life behind to focus on his family, including his newborn child, Chris.
Fast forward 18 months, Chris is sick and in the hospital, and Tokunbo is struggling to make ends meet as a cab driver. Desperate for money, he returns to Gaza, who surprisingly refuses to help him. Left with no choice, Tokunbo continues driving his cab until he finds a cell phone that was left behind. This phone belongs to a transporter involved in illegal activities, and Tokunbo decides to impersonate him, hoping to make some quick cash.
Things take a darker turn when he is tasked with transporting a girl named Nike to the Seme Border. Realizing the gravity of his actions, Tokunbo begins to question his return to crime, especially when it is revealed that Nike is the daughter of Folashade, the Central Bank governor.
A Promising Start That Fades Quickly
The concept behind Tokunbo could have made for an engaging film, especially in the opening scenes. The first ten to fifteen minutes were promising and intense, especially the scene where Gaza, played by Chidi Mokeme, brutally chops off someone’s arm with a machete. That moment had me gasping in shock.
However, the film started to fall apart when Tokunbo had to deliver the girl to her captors. The scene where Nike, portrayed by Darasimi Nadi, runs out of Tokunbo’s car, only for Tokunbo (played by Gideon Okeke) to catch her, felt unbelievably fake. How does someone manage to inject someone else in the waist so quickly when they’re not even a trained professional? There was no indication that Tokunbo had any experience with such things. Nigerian directors need to remember that their audiences are intelligent and pay attention to such details.
Nigerian directors need to realize that their audiences are intelligent and expect a level of realism in films. Unfortunately, Tokunbo misses this mark.
A Lackluster Execution Despite a Strong Foundation
Script wise, Tokunbo has all the right ingredients: a storyline inspired by Taken, a family in peril, and that unique Nigerian touch. Yet, the direction fails to bring these elements to life. I was quite surprised to see that Ramsey Nouah, who directed the film, couldn’t deliver a more polished product. The final fight between Tokunbo and Gaza is a prime example, it’s poorly choreographed and edited, lacking any sense of realism or excitement. It felt too artificial.
The Cast: A Mixed Bag
The performances in Tokunbo are a mixed bag. Gideon Okeke is a talented actor, and I’ve never doubted his skills. However, the flaws in this movie seem to stem from the direction. Funmilola Aofiyebi shines in her role, showcasing her acting prowess, and Ivie Okujaye Agboh brings her usual energy to the screen. Darasimi Nadi also delivers a strong performance.
However, I can’t help but feel that Chidi Mokeme is being typecast as the bad guy. Ever since his return to the industry, he seems to be stuck in these villainous roles. It’s a shame because, during the Genevieve era, Chidi was a versatile actor, often playing the lover boy. I would love to see him in a different kind of role again.
Final Thoughts: A Film That Loses Its Spark
Tokunbo was supposed to be an action thriller, but as it progresses, it loses its spark. The movie had potential, but it’s bogged down by unrealistic scenes and poor direction. If I were to rate Tokunbo, I’d give it a 6.5 out of 10. It’s a watchable film, but it could have been so much more.
