Lísàbí: A Legend is Born by Niyi Akinmolayan leaves the audience wanting more

Omoleye Omoruyi
Lísàbí: A Legend is Born
Lísàbí: A Legend is Born

Niyi Akinmolayan returns with the second installment of the Lísàbí series, “A Legend is Born.” Following “Lísàbí: The Uprising,” this chapter aims to delve deeper into the story of Lísàbí, the Ẹgba hero.

The film begins with Ikeola asking Lísàbí a defining question: “What are you really?” From there, the story leaps into a war against Oloyo’s men, betrayal from within the Ẹgba people, and finally, Lísàbí’s decision to enter the spirit world.

While the ambition is clear, the execution leaves much to be desired. The film raises many questions, suffers from weak pacing, and struggles with consistency in its storytelling. Let’s break it down.

An identity crisis in the title

The title “A Legend is Born” creates certain expectations. One would think the film would explore Lísàbí’s early life, his struggles, and the defining moments that led to his rise as a legend. Instead, the film skips over these crucial parts and dives straight into the events of the uprising. This isn’t about a legend being born; it’s about a conflict being fought.

This misalignment between the title and content creates unnecessary confusion. The first instalment, “The Uprising,” barely scratched the surface of Lísàbí’s story. It wasted time on filler and gave only a hint of the uprising in its final moments. Instead of building on that foundation, the second instalment rehashes and elongates the same events. 

A more fitting title would have been “Lísàbí: The Betrayal” or “The Battle for Ẹgba,” reflecting the true focus of this chapter.

Lísàbí: A Legend is Born

A story lacking depth

The plot revolves around Lísàbí leading the Ẹgba people against the Oloyo’s men, who have long oppressed them through the harsh tributary collection. The conflict is central, but the storytelling lacks emotional weight. 

The audience is told about Lísàbí’s leadership (through slow motions and screaming at every opportunity), but we’re rarely shown why he inspires such loyalty. What values drive him? How did he earn the trust of the Ẹgba people?

The narrative also struggles with pacing.

Like Ikeola’s initial question to Lísàbí, key moments feel out of place. When she asks, “What are you really?” it’s too late in the story. Shouldn’t this question have come earlier, perhaps when she first witnessed his supernatural abilities? The timing makes it feel like an afterthought rather than a pivotal moment.

Ikeola in Lísàbí: A Legend is Born
Ikeola in “Lísàbí: A Legend is Born” (IMG: Netflix)

Then there’s the betrayal subplot, introduced midway through the film. Betrayal is a powerful theme, but it feels poorly executed here. Instead of weaving it naturally into the story, it’s dropped in as a twist, disrupting the narrative flow.

This could have been an opportunity to explore the complexities of loyalty and the cost of leadership, but it’s squandered.

Unanswered questions and missed opportunities

The film leaves the audience with more questions than answers. In the first instalment, Lísàbí summoned the gods to aid him. Why didn’t they fight his battles in this instalment?

Were they limited in power, or was their involvement purely symbolic?

The portrayal of the Oloyo also raises questions. Are we to believe that they lost two battles and simply gave up? Their persistence and strategy are shockingly weak for a supposedly very powerful empire. This makes the stakes feel low and undermines the tension in the story.

Oloyo in Lísàbí: A Legend is Born
Oloyo in ‘Lísàbí: A Legend is Born” (IMG: Netflix)

The decision to have Lísàbí jump into a pit to enter the spirit world is a dramatic one, but it feels abrupt. What led him to this point? The film hints at his desperation, but the buildup is insufficient. 

And then, at the very end, the filmmakers add a text that claims, “The details surrounding the death of Lísàbí remain a very controversial topic.” Controversial? Where? The film itself makes it clear why Lísàbí chose to transition to the spirit world. This attempt to inject mystery at the last minute falls flat.

Technical execution: A mixed bag

The cinematography in “A Legend is Born” is inconsistent at best. Slow motion is overused, dragging out scenes unnecessarily and disrupting the pacing. While slow motion can enhance drama when used sparingly, its excessive application here feels like an attempt to pad the runtime.

On the brighter side, the music is a strong point. It complements the film’s tone and adds an emotional layer to several scenes. Unfortunately, even the best soundtrack can’t compensate for weak storytelling.

But, the action sequences deserve some praise.

The grunts, roars, and audio effects add intensity to the battles. However, Nollywood still has room to grow in this area. The portrayal of battle cries and coarse voices could be more authentic. These small details make a big difference in action-heavy films.

A disconnect between fiction and flow

Fiction offers filmmakers the freedom to craft compelling narratives.

While Lísàbí draws inspiration from historical events, it doesn’t need to adhere strictly to history. This freedom could have been used to create a smoother, more engaging story. Instead, the flow feels unnatural.

For example, the betrayal subplot could have been a powerful exploration of human nature and the cost of leadership. Instead, it’s presented in a way that feels disconnected from the rest of the story.

Similarly, the decision to focus on war and conflict over character development leaves the film feeling hollow.

The bigger picture: Nollywood’s challenges

“Lísàbí: A Legend is Born” highlights some of the recurring issues in Nollywood. While technical aspects like camera quality and sound design are improving, the industry still struggles with storytelling, pacing, and character development.

Lisabi in Lísàbí: A Legend is Born
Lisabi in “Lísàbí: A Legend is Born” (IMG: Netflix)

Legends are not just about events; they’re about the people behind them. What drives them? What sacrifices do they make? These are the questions that create compelling narratives.

Until Nollywood learns to balance spectacle with substance, films like Lísàbí will continue to fall short of their potential.

Final thoughts on “Lísàbí: A Legend is Born”

Niyi Akinmolayan’s second attempt at telling Lísàbí’s story is ambitious but flawed.

The film promises to explore the making of a legend but fails to deliver on that promise. Instead, it offers a disjointed narrative that raises more questions than it answers.

While the music and action sequences show potential, the story itself lacks the depth and emotional weight needed to make it truly impactful. If there’s to be a third instalment, the filmmakers need to focus on character development and cohesive storytelling. Legends are born from great stories, not just great battles.

Until then, “Lísàbí: A Legend is Born” remains a missed opportunity—one that leaves the audience wanting more, but not in a good way.


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