Sugar Rush

Sugar Rush is that new nollywood formula at its most potent: high tech gadgets plus famous celebrities plus comedy equals blockbuster.

At it’s frame, it’s the story of the Sugar sisters, Susie (Adesua Etomi), Sola (Bisola Aiyeola) and Bola (Bimbo Ademoye) as they try to navigate survival in this Nigerian economy by hook or by crook… but mostly by crook. One fortunate evening, Susie and Sola stumble on a dead chief surrounded by what turns out to be the sum of $800,000. They cart their loot home and proceed to make a series of foolish decisions in spending it, and these foolish decisions bring the wrong attention their way. Soon enough, there’s a line of people ranging from the Chief’s daughter to the EFCC laying claims to the money.

The marketing for this movie sets it up as a solid story focused film but in reality it is very light and vacuous at numerous points. The audience eventually learns to accept it, because this is that series-of-unfortunate events kind of storyline. It’s one where things just keep happening to our leads again and again with little to no logic or explanation but somehow it works. The only thing really missing in the flow here is a guest appearance by the “Merry Men“.  One extra addition that makes the structure of the story easier to accept is to think of it as a caricature. Not thinking about it this way might make you start asking questions about plot holes and “artistic license” claims that no writer here bothers to explain.

The best bits about Sugar Rush is the general production. From the directing, to the cinematography and the set design, it is all quite stunning to watch. Kayode Kasum does great work framing every shot of this film to ensure it comes off beautifully, and beautiful it was. Unfortunately for him though, the visual effects guy – Ossai Jerry – still manages to steal the thunder from right beneath him. In the first scene where we see men literally walk through walls seamlessly, you immediate regain hope for the entire nollywood industry. And that was not the end of the VFX’s brilliance. What does stump me though is how one can depict impressive invisible cars yet still have fire coming out of guns in the same scene?

Sugar Rush is firmly classed under the comedy section and funny it was most of the time. Especially in the scenes with Bimbo Ademoye. Possibly one of the best casting decisions here is in casting Bimbo as Bola because she does not skip a beat and no joke falls flat. A close second to her comedic timing here is William Uchemba. Asides from these two though, many attempts to be funny don’t quite go as planned. Leaving the audience with some funny scenes that don’t elicit a laugh and some not so funny scenes that are uproarious. Ironically our usual comedians, Bisola Aiyeola and Lateef Adedimeji, are over-shadowed by the aforementioned two. Adesua as Susie is just alright and Mawuli Gavor really is just an object to be ogled at here as he does no significant justice to his character.

Sugar Rush is best described as visually exciting mindless fun. Attempting to claim that it’s the greatest or best anything is a far reach, even coming from the usual culprits.

Watch Online HERE