Lisabi The Uprising 2024 Movie: Review, Plot, Cast & FAQs

Table of Contents

Introduction

Lisabi the Uprising 2024 movie is one of the latest historical epics out of Nollywood, brought to life with striking visuals and deep-rooted cultural references. It attempts to retell the story of Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, the legendary Yoruba revolutionary who led an uprising against the oppressive rule of the Alaafin of Oyo. A collaboration between Lateef Adedimeji and Mo Bimpe Adedimeji, the film aspires to combine history, drama, and action in one sweeping narrative.

While the movie is bold in ambition and impressive in some departments—especially its cinematography—it ultimately stumbles in areas crucial to storytelling. Despite noble intentions and a potentially rich narrative, the film underdelivers on character development, historical accuracy, and cultural context. This blog post dives deep into everything you need to know about Lisabi the Uprising 2024 movie—its plot, production, strengths, and shortcomings.

Release Date

Lisabi the Uprising 2024 movie premiered exclusively on Circuit on September 27, 2024. The film targets audiences across the African continent and aims to revive interest in indigenous stories through digital streaming platforms. Its second part, Lisabi: A Legend is Born, is set to premiere in January 2025, continuing the saga of this cultural hero.

Cast & Crew

The film features a stellar cast of Nollywood heavyweights. Lateef Adedimeji plays the titular character Lisabi, while Ibrahim Chatta assumes the role of Sangodeyi, the ruthless leader of the Ilari. Odunlade Adekola plays the Alaafin of Oyo, with Femi Adebayo appearing as King Olodan. Debo ‘Mr Macaroni’ Adeyemo portrays Osokenu in a memorable yet historically questionable sequence.

Behind the camera, Niyi Akinmolayan directs the film with writing credits shared with Yinka Olaoye. The cinematography, helmed by Barnabas Emordi and Nora Awolowo, stands out as one of the movie’s strengths. Despite this, the absence of a dedicated historical consultant was a glaring omission, evident in the film’s inconsistencies with Yoruba cultural and historical settings.

Review

A Story Retold—But at What Cost?

The tale of Lisabi has been told before. As a revolutionary figure in Yoruba history, any retelling must bring something fresh to the table—either in narrative depth or creative reinterpretation. Unfortunately, Lisabi the Uprising 2024 movie does neither convincingly.

The film opens with King Olodan’s rebellion against the tribute demands of the Alaafin of Oyo, ending in his execution. This sets the tone for the story, which centers around Lisabi’s evolution from a humble farmer to a spiritual warrior leading his people against oppression. But this transformation feels rushed and unearned. The movie’s biggest flaw is its weak character arcs and lack of emotional depth. Lisabi’s spiritual awakening is sudden, not built up through storytelling or conflict.

Research Undermines Historical Potential

A major disappointment is the film’s inadequate historical research. The Oyo Empire was vast, complex, and sophisticated, stretching from present-day Nigeria to parts of Benin and even Ivory Coast. The Yoruba people were known for their rich philosophical culture, architectural feats, and political complexity. Yet the film portrays them as primitive and disjointed.

Set design, costumes, and language usage failed to align with the era being depicted. Accents were inconsistent, mannerisms were absent, and family compounds were unrealistically depicted. Props like snuffboxes or mirrors—symbols of colonial influence already present in that era—were also missing. One striking flaw was the use of modern slang like ‘Emilokan’, which breaks the illusion of time and place.

Standout Performances and Flaws in Direction

Despite these shortcomings, a few performances shine through. Ibrahim Chatta, as Sangodeyi, carries much of the film’s emotional weight. His villainous role is intense, believable, and a dramatic highlight. On the other hand, Lateef Adedimeji’s portrayal of Lisabi lacks the fire one would expect of a revolutionary leader. His performance only begins to show depth towards the end, but by then, it’s too late.

Debo Adeyemo’s Osokenu delivers an emotionally resonant but implausible arc. His character slays ten Ilari soldiers despite no combat background—a sequence that leans more toward fantasy than history. Meanwhile, Odunlade Adekola, known for his flamboyant roles, offers a restrained and refined performance as the Alaafin, proving his acting range when directed well.

Director Niyi Akinmolayan’s influence from Tamil and Telugu epics like Baahubali and Magadheera is apparent. However, the fusion of Nigerian historical drama with South Indian cinematic elements results in tonal dissonance. The supernatural elements introduced in the third act, although ambitious, disrupt the story’s flow and undermine its realism.

Visuals and Sound Design: A Mixed Bag

The cinematography in Lisabi the Uprising 2024 movie is its strongest suit. From sweeping shots of lush landscapes to choreographed battle scenes, it offers a visual treat. The haunting stillness of the battlefield post-Osokenu’s demise or Lisabi’s tense showdown with Sangodeyi are particularly memorable.

However, the sound design is underwhelming. Many chants and dialogues seem dubbed and disconnected from their scenes. Echo effects are overused, and the musical score, while featuring good compositions, lacks cohesion. These inconsistencies detract from the immersive experience that a historical epic demands.

FAQ

Is Lisabi the Uprising 2024 movie based on a true story?
Yes, it is loosely based on the historical figure Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, a Yoruba hero who led an uprising against the oppressive rule of the Oyo Empire.
Where can I watch Lisabi the Uprising 2024 movie?
The film premiered on Circuit TV and is currently streaming exclusively to African audiences.
Who are the main actors in the film?
Lateef Adedimeji (Lisabi), Ibrahim Chatta (Sangodeyi), Odunlade Adekola (Alaafin), Femi Adebayo (Olodan), and Debo Adeyemo (Osokenu).
Is there a sequel to the movie?
Yes, the sequel Lisabi: A Legend is Born is scheduled for release in January 2025.
Does the movie portray Yoruba culture accurately?
While it attempts to showcase Yoruba life, the lack of historical and cultural accuracy detracts from its authenticity.

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Conclusion

Lisabi the Uprising 2024 movie is an ambitious yet flawed attempt at historical storytelling. While its visuals and certain performances shine, the film suffers from poor historical research, underdeveloped characters, and inconsistent direction. It had the potential to be a landmark cultural film but falls short in execution.

The film’s dedication to bringing Yoruba heritage to the screen is commendable. However, for a story with such deep historical roots, authenticity should have taken center stage. As it stands, Lisabi the Uprising 2024 movie is a watchable epic with caution—view it for its intent and cinematography, but don’t expect a comprehensive historical narrative.

Let’s hope the sequel improves where this first installment faltered.

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