The Set Up 2

In recent times, Nigerian filmmakers have often disappointed audiences with sequels that fail to live up to the standard set by their predecessors. Many a time, we, the audience, step into cinema halls or fire up our streaming platforms hoping that the latest release breaks the chain of sequel letdowns. It’s even more disheartening when the previous installment wasn’t outstanding but at least watchable without inducing a feeling of suffocation. This was the case with the Niyi Akinmolayan directed prequel to ‘The Setup 2’: ‘The Set Up.’

Featuring Dakore Akande, Adesua Etomi, and Kehinde Bankole in leading roles, the prequel tells the story of two young women, Chike and Grace, portrayed by Adesua Etomi and Kehinde Bankole, shedding their innocence as they descend into a life of crime for survival. Despite its release on 9 August 2019, the film received mixed reviews and faced criticism for an excessively convoluted screenplay. Despite its prequel’s tumultuous storyline, there’s a glimmer of brilliance somewhere within the movie, waiting to be fully realized. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the sequel. The second installment picks up from the developments of the first part, as Chike gets recruited by the U.S. government, only to have an activist group kidnap her best friend’s child, leveraging it for their own agenda. Chike and Grace must reunite and assemble a new team to confront the group.

Despite the promising premise, ‘The Set Up 2’ struggles with amateurish direction, a disjointed plot, mediocre acting, and poorly choreographed fight scenes. While the action sequences attempt to add excitement, their execution falls flat, appearing unnatural and almost comical due to sluggish movements. One particular scene, featuring a brawl in a public bar between agents and terrorist enforcers, is marred by its unrealistic portrayal. Similarly, the encounter where Grace’s family is attacked and Chike has to fight a kickboxer for Mackintosh’s support falls short, lacking the intensity required for an engaging film experience.

The film appears heavily influenced by Western storytelling techniques, which do not seamlessly integrate into the Nigerian narrative. Consequently, these attempts to emulate Hollywood leave the audience laughing at the superficial imitation. While the first installment managed to compensate for its disjointed plot with proficient acting, the sequel’s performances, despite occasional flashes of brilliance, often feel contrived, lacking verisimilitude and artificial, disrupting the immersion that is crucial for an engaging cinematic experience.

Verisimilitude, the resemblance to truth, forms the backbone of effective storytelling. While fiction does not require absolute reality, it should maintain internal consistency. Unfortunately, The Setup 2 fails to establish a believable story world, raising questions and disrupting the audience’s suspension of disbelief.

However, the film redeems itself through its impressive cinematography and captivating musical compositions. The original soundtrack ‘Lights Go Out,’ by Dinachi Onuzo, remains a timeless gem, evoking genuine emotion from the audience. The movie’s clear visuals and adept camera work effectively capture the essence of Lagos, showcasing its vibrant culture and contrasting landscapes, which compensates for the film’s other shortcomings and guides viewers through the narrative.

Despite its potential, ‘The Setup 2’ lacks suspense and predictability mars its impact. Even Grace’s death, caused by an amateurish move, fails to evoke the necessary emotional depth. The lack of definition for certain roles, such as those played by Lota Chukwu and Chris Attoh, further contributes to the film’s disjointed nature.

While the sequel boasts all the necessary ingredients for success, it ultimately faltered in its execution. A different approach, perhaps under the direction of Niyi Akinmolayan, might have steered ‘The Setup 2’ towards a more fulfilling destination. Regrettably, the sequel concluded as an unsatisfactory offering, lacking the narrative depth and coherence needed for a truly immersive cinematic experience.