Many of us have reservations about going to the Cinema to see Nigerian movies, but with a movie like
Battle of Buka street, you should reconsider your stand. Okay. Let me give you the full gist.
Battle on Buka street shows us the rivalry in a typical polygamous home. Centered around Funke Akindele and Mercy Johnson, who inherited hatred and rivalry from their mothers, they set out to destroy each other.
Born on the same day and married on the same day, Mercy Johnson went ahead to start a
canteen right opposite Funke Akindele’s Amala store on Buka street.
This was the beginning of the original battle between these two. Who won the battle? What did they
have to lose while fighting the battle? You should find out because I can’t give you all the juicy
information here.
The story was well told in a reasonably progressive way. Normally, a 2-hour, 21-minute film should drain us, but the writer was good enough to know when you switch the plot and keep us on our feet again.
One thing I can say for sure is this story was well thought through. Character development was good,
and we could understand why the rivalry between Awele and was that serious. Another amazing thing
about the story is how the writer could merge comedy and heightened emotions.
This moment we are laughing, and the next, we have tears in our eyes. Some questions, though, is it
possible Aweles mother didn’t know her husband was out of prison? How possible was it that the Hausa neighbor could make Aweles husband escape? When did that arrangement happen? But, beyond these, I must admit the story wasn’t bad.
The director deserves accolades, especially because he controlled the crowd and fight scenes. The
stories and actions were believable. The casting was on point and the transition between the Bimbo
Ademoye into an older Sola Sobowale was seamless. Funke Akindele and Tobi Makinde did a good job of making the movie even more enjoyable.
The actors were incredibly good! Every one of them, including the minor characters. Funke Akindele is
always a delight to watch, especially when she has to play the ghetto role. Choosing Mercy John as a
step-sister was a perfect pick because they suit the role perfectly. Good acting and good rivalry
chemistry. Sola Sobowale will always remain an icon in acting because it seems like the older she grows, the more energy she gets.
Also, Tina MBA makes acting looks so effortless; how she can switch from being a stern, wicked woman to one completely powerless should be studied.
Moshood Fattah and Mike Afolarin are underrated actors, and seeing them first in Far from home, and
now in Battle on Buka street, I can say confidently that they are two of the best big things in Nollywood.
Nkem Owoh can’t be in a movie, and you won’t laugh, and once again, he cracked us up. Battle on Buka
The street is another proof of how good Bimbo Ademoye is. She appeared in just a few scenes, but her presence can’t be ignored. Femi Jacobs and Kevin Ikeduba are fantastic actors, and we weren’t
disappointed in their performances.
As for Mercy Johnson’s twins in the movie, someone should help me give those two mischievous twins a hut because they were amazing! Finally, Mercy Johnson’s first daughter in the movie, her beautiful, subtle acting cannot be ignored.
Production, in general, was good from sound to set, to costume, and then to make-up. Let me say a big thank you to Funke Akindele for opening our eyes to talented upcoming actors; we hope to see more of them.
Battle on Buka Street is a 9.5/10
