Onyinye The Wine Tapper

I absolutely love it when I can identify a writer or director’s work in their films. I love how when you watch a film you can identify who is behind it while still be able to say that it is fresh. Let’s face it, this is the only way to build a brand that people want to see. If they like your signature then they will continue to watch.  I find Ugezu .J. Ugezu to be a bit rambly but nonetheless to have good strong storylines and very interesting complex characters.

Because IbakaTv refuses to label their movies appropriately, at first I thought I was watching the wrong movie in the set but it wasn’t. It does seem like the story had started way before the movie started and I see that as a good thing. I am tired of movies that spoon feed you every single thing. It was a brave move that paid off. The plot is a bit intense, and I was lost for the first two parts so attention needs to be paid or else you will miss road like me. It is engaging, novel and unintentionally comedic. Some elements seem to come out of nowhere but it’s all part of building a unique world, which is another thing I do like about the writer’s signature.  The pace was a bit slow and muddling at times and it seemed to be going nowhere.

The acting is okay, Mercy Johnson plays little part compared to both Ken Erics and Walter Anga. They both hold their own in a wealth of characters and are engaging to watch without going extra. Ugezu.J.Ugezu as I said before talks a bit too much and quite slowly so his scenes feel like they go on forever but they are a main part of the story. The extras were all good, which is very surprising to me as they all gave a good performance. More admirable because they were quite a lot of extras, chiefs, maidens, seers and many more roles-over thirty.

Attention to detail never fails to impress me and there were a lot of details here that were presented beautifully and that showed that they were plotted out thoroughly. However the Costumes Department did not give as equal attention to detail. Sometimes the costumes were nice but sometimes I found them a bit lacking and sometimes they were the tackiest cheapest things which brings you out of the story sometimes. The special effects were nothing to write home about and were not that impressive though.