Before you ask why to wait so long to write a review, I do not think it is ever too late to review good comedies – especially with some of Africa’s favorite Nigerians in the cast and, that result in fairy-tale love stories in the real life.
So, I finally got to watch the wedding party 2, 3 years after its production – thanks to corona lockdowns. The second episode is an even more grandiose show of style and wealth than the first.
The Wedding Party comprises of 2 romantic, grandeur comedy episodes. If you like simple storylines or want to take it easy after a long day, get popcorn, chocolate, and wine.
Watch Wedding Party 1 Trailer
The Wedding Party 1
The Story
The movie starts with music like it is an action movie. I expected someone to get shot but hey, we just doing a delivery. However, as soon as the first act starts there is reason to smile. Think it will be hilarious for most but I can be deadpan. The story is pretty simple – yet with enough twists and turning points to keep you hooked. It covers a wedding day and ropes in flashbacks to move the story forward. Given, some of the most enjoyable stories are often simple. The last 10 minutes are my favorite in this movie.
The movie on NETFLIX has Kiswahili transcripts that are wrong and often misleading. I suppose they could be useful if a Swahili speaker can actually read and write yet do not speak English. They are a distraction. Check this: ‘We ran into the gutter on the way back from the party’ is translated as ‘We ran into the prison behind the night’ and for some reason when giving last-minute advise a person is told to fight for their marriage whatever the circumstances are translated as a reflection of a father having fights with his wife.
The Cast
The cast director does a great job picking the cast. The production is star-studded so the excitement of discovering new talent is actually not there. Banky W may be acting for the first time but has been in the public eye for so long we would not expect less of him.
Adesua Etomi – Dunni Coker
Ali Baba Akponne – Bamidele Coker
Ayo Makun – MC
Banky W – Dozie Onwuka
Beverly Naya – Rosie
Daniella Down – Deadre Winston
Emmanuel Edunjobi – Pastor Leke
Eyinna Nwigwe – Nonso Onwuka
Ikechukwu Onunaku – Sola Akinyemi
Iretiola Doyle – Obianuju Onukwa
Kunle Idowu – Harrison
Lepacious Bose – Busola
Olajumoke George – Iya Michael
Oyetoro Hafiz – Ayanmale Subaru
Richard Mofe Damijo – Felix Onwuka
Sambasa Nzeribe – Lukman
Sola Sobowale – Tinuade Coker
Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama – Yemisi
Zainab Balogun – Wonu
I think pretty much everyone hacked their role including Banky W, who was acting for the first time in this movie. The extras as Obianuju’s friends and Tinuade’s friends are really not given much to do and come out as a little clumsy in their delivery. I don’t think that was the desired effect. Given this is a story done by some of the best actors in Nollywood nothing less could be expected. However, I think the best act was by the event planner’s character done by Zainab Balogun, she put the c in this comedy as intended. I have a poor sense of humor and her role sure made me laugh. The movie is worth watching if only to see her do her thing. Aside from her, there are many interesting moments.
The themes explored in the movie are love and trust.
Technical Construction
The Director did a great job on this one. Despite the script being a little too simple for my taste, everything else comes together beautifully. The lighting, editing, etc are all good. My main problem was with the first scene. The music used sounded like an action movie. I expected gunshots but hey, we are just doing a delivery. Soon after our event organizer comes in and sets the right mood for the rest of the movie.
The production design is good. The vibrant colors really go with the movie. Sound is good and whatever is not audible is more because of the difference accents rather than the quality of sound.
Conclusion
This production is definitely nice to watch and will be so for a long time to come. The story may not be simple but the delivery is great. I think the most unique delivery is that of Balogun’s character. I would watch it over and over again because of the cast rather than the story itself
Rating
I give this production a 6/10.
The Wedding Party 2
Watch Wedding Party 2 Trailer
The Story
I like more aspects of this movie than the first like the choice of location and the use of believable yet impractical comedy situations. It is always tricky to balance that without making it too stupid to be funny. The story goes on over several week, with numerous turning points – more twists and turns than the simple day’s story in The Wedding Party 1. As with the first, the themes explored are love and trust.
The Cast
The cast is very similar to the first with a few additions and subtractions. Sambasa Nzeribe is dropped but there are other interesting additions that include;
Ireti Doyle
Lynita Crofford
Michael De Pinna
Patience Ozokwo
Somkele Idhalama
Once again, given the A-Class cast, delivers their roles without a hitch. Having loved Balogun’s character in the first movie I expected the same in the second and she did not disappoint. My favorite moment is with Eyinna character who makes an horatian satirical assumption that sets the mood for the rest of the movie. I also love the scene where the bride announces her engagement to her parents, specifically her lineage.
Technical Construction
As with the first the cinematography editing and production design was great. The score was much better than in the first. The director does a great job of bringing together a good script to something that is far beyond average.
Conclusion
This storyline was much better than The Wedding Party 1. There was more to laugh at. I suppose to make great comedy the simpler the storyline the better.
Rating
I give this production an 8/10.
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