Movie Review: JBO (Jaguda Baba Ole): Conflicting interpretation of good, evil

Movie Title: JBO (Official Video) 1 and 2

Publication date: March 2023

Actors: Mercy Aigbe, Adeniyi Johnson, Funso Adeolu, Abiodun Adebanjo, Afeez Eniola, Ibrahim Yekini, Jemilolu Olumbe

Director: Adebayo Tijani

Duration: 1 hour

It is a well-known fact that people’s lifestyles influence the themes of their stories. It is therefore not surprising that Nigerian films, even those in the indigenous language genre, are full of stories of insecurity.

From kidnappings to banditry to outright terrorism, Nigeria has been in the spotlight in the last decade for its extreme insecurity.

However, what is not in the public domain is the use of spirituality to combat insecurity. And no, we’re not talking about going to church to pray.

Spells, charms and by expanding the workings of traditional religion have been used to combat insecurity. These and more are some of the thematic explorations of the film JBO (Jaguda Baba Ole).

The land

The prison was a breach, and the government had to take in high-profile prisoners to secure the facility. Meanwhile, the police convoy taking Susan Adekanbi (Mercy Aigbe) or JBO (Mercy Aigbe) to a detention center called Sambisa was intercepted by Silent (Ibrahim Yekini) on Damaturu road using bombs and an assault rifle.

All but one of the policemen are dead. While the police launch an investigation

In the rescue, JBO embarks on a journey of revenge. He teams up with a local doctor, and prompts his twin sister to join them in a raid to get him arrested.

His daring raids with Silent, his sergeant, and his crew leave many dead cops in their wake.

Things take a turn when officer Shina (Afeez Eniola) turns to consult his spiritualist father to match his thief’s charm.

After a diamond heist, JBO arranges for his twin to go home with the diamonds so the police can find them. But her husband keeps it. This puts a strain on JBO’s relationship with Silent.

Finally, they will go on their way to a robbery gone wrong.

Review

While JBO (Jaguda Baba Ole) may appear to be new territory for the Yoruba Nollywood genre, the move is a bold interpretation of some of the high-profile crimes Nigerians have witnessed.

The late Shina Rambo comes quickly to mind.

Flops

JBO’s case of Silent is one of those good rounds that deserves another. He saved her once, so during the prison transfer, she saw the need to free herself from her captors.

On the other hand, he is responsible for sending his twin sister, the judge, to prison. The film doesn’t establish this until later, confusing the story.

A little backstory between JBO and his twin sister would help. We have clarified that it is the judge who sent JBO’s twin sister to prison. Before, the audience had to guess.

Also, the film has a flawed timeline streak. Their mother went mad because she trusted the wrong person in business.

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The flashback scenes of their abandoned mother and her cheating lover were from the past. The settings do not establish that it was a flashback. Again, viewers have to decipher it for themselves.

Also, with the exception of YouTube streaming revenue, there’s no point in making a two-part movie into an hour-long piece.

Besides that, the movie ends on a cliffhanger. This makes it look like another third part of an hour is running.

props

It is true that Yoruba movies come with great story. JBO (Jaguda Baba Ole) reinforces this.

Mercy Aigbe portrays the twin role of the twins and she places herself as a method actress.

Very few people have achieved this in the Nigerian movie industry. Ramsey Nouah’s ‘Dangerous Twins’ is a good example.

In Ms. Aigbe’s case, playing a dapper Supreme Court judge and transitioning into a persona with a smooth voice with piercings is no mean feat.

The verdict

Nigerian movies show the police as bribe-collecting, low-life bootleggers or as the hero who saves the day.

The case is different from JBO.

The film is a conflicted interpretation of the duality of good and evil.

The film’s villains resort to charm or jazz to succeed in their operations.

To beat them at the game, Officer Shina had to resort to their methods.

Overall, JBO (Jaguda Baba Ole), available on YouTube, is a great watch with great entertainment value.

Verdict: 7/10