RISING CITY OF DREAMS

WHY “RISING CITY OF DREAMS” MIGHT JUST BE A SLIGHT TURN-OFF FOR THE PACIFIST

While we can admit that Remilekun “Reminisce” Khalid Safaru and Zubby Michael are really incredible actors, it’s quite obvious that these two actors have seemed to carve a niche for themselves in movies titled towards gangsterism, violence, cultism,etc. Well, this review isn’t about how these two have been stereotyped, so let’s move on.

The Rising City of Dreams is the story of area boys and their rivalry. It focuses on Ezedike who is the head of the eastern part of Oju Alaafia market area boys and his rival, Tolu Tilapia, the head of the western part of Oju Alaafia market area boys. The rivalry worsens when the overall leader, Sniper, decides to move to a bigger position and would nominate either of them to become the head of Oju Alaafia market. Tolu Tilapia would go to any length to take up that position. Well, while Ezedike is also interested in the position, however, he falls in love with a tailor and wouldn’t compromise his relationship with her for anything.

In the heat of desperation, Tolu Tilapia goes overboard, kidnapping Sniper and Ezedike’s lover, and his goal is to kill Ezedike, leaving Sniper with no choice other than to make Tolu Tilapia the head.

Does Tolu Tilapia succeed in his plans or is Ezedike able to fight his way to become the leader?  This substantiates the plot of the story.

With almost every scene filled with fights, it’s quite clear the message intended to be passed by the writer, and yeah, we did get a chunk of it, however; balance is always key; the frequent fighting scenes at some point became increasingly boring to watch as there was the desire to see something unique other than just frequent fightings, it does seem Omo Ghetto: the Saga edges this movie in this aspect, because though Omo Ghetto:the Saga and Rising City of Dreams though have similar storylines, however the former does seem to have a more balanced and engaging storyline.

The director could have done better, I believe Rising City of Dreams could have been told more interestingly with better directing. Fiighting scenes aren’t necessarily tagged “rough and disorganized” .

Femi Branch is a fantastic actor, but he wasn’t the best fit for the role, Reminisce would have been a better fit. Yvonne Jegede and Jide Kosoko also brought their A-game on.

I did notice some great job from the costume and cinematography team.

Among the cast in the movie are notable acts like Zubby Michael, Femi Branch, Jide Kosoko, Remilekun “Reminisce” Khalid Safaru, Yvonne Jegede, Bolaji Amusan, and others.

Star Performer- Zubby Michael

Fast becoming a legend in executing gangster roles, Zubby does edge this one out again.

Can-do-better Perfomer-Nil