Movie: Day of Destiny
Year: 2021
Rating: 13+
Directors: Akay Mason, Abosi Ogba
Producer: Akujobi Victoria, Isioma Osaje
Reviewer: Taiwo Adeniyi
There are some things that are better imagined in Nollywood like science fiction. The idea of travelling in time to the past should sound pleasing as few movie producers have adequately delivered in this genre. Of course, the recent iconic and heroic Marvel movie on time travel may have inspired the producers but the execution betrays the intention.
The plot is around two teenagers Chidi (Olumide Oworu) and Rotimi (Denola Grey) who were troubled with their family’s poor financial situation that forced them to relocate from Lagos to the village. The children held their father Bankole Oluremi (Norbert Young) responsible for the family troubles due to his inability to request assistance from some of his friends in high places. Bankole, a lecturer in one of the state universities was among academics sacked by the governor, Deyemi Okanlawon. The governor described the lecturers as saboteurs for failing to call off their prolonged industrial action. Obviously, Norbert Young and Deyemi Okanlawon had an irreconcilable past.
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The twist occurred while the family were travelling in a vehicle to the village. Chidi, the lost sheep of the family, engaged his father in a heated conversation on the need for his father to request assistance from his friends, the Lagos State Governor and a senator help end the hardship of the family was facing. Despite the hesitation and reluctance of the father to explain his decision, Chidi insistence for an answer made him inform his parent angrily that he had transferred from the Law department to Music department. The news jolted the father, who was driving, and almost crashed the car.
Chidi and Rotimi were told to scout for help and then the time travels started to the end of the about two hour movie.
While this is a noble attempt at a novel idea, it was rather poorly executed. It is riddled with the usual Nollywood’s flings that seem not to be going anywhere any time soon. The merger of the old and new Nollywood actors did not also work out well asides the stint of brilliance from Olumide Oworu who showed flashes of his growth as a young Tari in ‘The Johnson’s’ to a lead actor in this Sci-fi movie. It’s moves like this that makes one wonder the criteria set by Nollywood veterans before accepting scripts. Ireti Doyle, Jide Kosoko, Norbert Young were exceptional in their roles, but the young actors sure need more tutelage.
There are some logical and continuity flaws as the time travel was overused or or what could be best described as abused in the movie.
In year 2000, do men and women share the same prison cell in a police station? How can a vehicle suddenly develop a mechanical fault suddenly come back to life after 30 minutes, the 30 minutes where all the time travels take place? Why must love always be at first sight? When was N500 introduced in Nigeria? These questions were poorly answered in the movie, which puts a dent on the script. The usual boring and unnecessary dialogues, typical of some Nollywood movie, especially when actors attempted to be funny, resurfaces in this movie. Of what significance is the cameo of Mr Macaroni and then there is Captain C’s (Toyin Abraham) role which could have better been shortened or totally avoided.
The producers deserve commendation for the Vision 20:2020 joke. That is a part of the movie that would resonate well with Nigerians, especially older generations that had lived to see several visions without realisations. The visual effects, soundtracks and music used, especially ‘God When’ are top notch.
Cast: Rotimi (Denola Grey), Chidi (Olumide Oworu), Bankole Oluremi (Norbert Young), Ireti Doyle, Jide Kosoko, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Toyin Abraham, Samuel Perry Broda Shaggi, Governor Coker (Deyemi Okanlawon), Mr Macaroni.
