Movie Review: The Awakening; OC Ukeje is so on point.

Screenwriters: James Omokwe, Ethan, Okwara and David 'Gee' Ahanmisi 

Directors: James Omokwe and Ethan Okwara

Producer: Theresa Ananenu 

Starring: OC Ukeje, Kehinde Bankole, Adewale Aroyole, David 'Gee' Ahanmisi, Femi Brainard and Bryan Okwara

Genre: Supernatural Thriller

Release Date: November 2012

Production Company: Studio 84

Visual Fx: Eleven Frames

Synopsis: 

Nicholas (OC Ukeje), a young Marketing Executive while preparing for an official presentation, begins to experience eerie visual premonitions of serial deaths. Meanwhile, Miss Oreka (Kehinde Bankole), a Desk Reporter for a Newspaper Coy, gets tired of her routine and desires to take on investigative reporting. One fateful night, Miss Oreka is given a strange Pandora-like box by a mysterious woman. This event sets off a series of heart-racing adventures that causes Nicholas and Miss Oreka to cross paths and together they must fight to unravel a mystery inorder to save their lives and that of the bloodline of an ancient tribe, from an age-long curse now on the loose.

After seeing this movie, I said to myself:" some peeps in Nollywood are finally using their noggin."

The Awakening is a break from the norm. The screenwriters did a remarkable job in making sure that the loose ends of the story were eventually knotted together in the end, almost flawlessly. From the Catalyst, to the Twists and to the Realization point. Everything was sewn in seamlessly. 

However much credit also goes to the directors of this nice flick (because no matter how good a script is, if it ain't well produced and directed, then it's a flop). Albeit rookies in Nollywood, they sure showed they weren't rookies at all when it comes to directing indie movies. The high point for me (in the movie) was the animation used as a flashback device. It had a smooth sequential flow. I loved every bit of it, including the narrator's voice as he bellowed the name "Udilikazi." Kudos also goes to the producer for backing the production of this thrilling movie. The fighting scenes were: "Muah!" Über cool!

Adewale Aroyole killed it here.

OC Ukeje's performance was very believable. He played the Nick character almost flawlessly; the unassuming,nonchalant executive. Kehinde Bankole was her usual vivacious and exhilarating self. She brought much of her energy into her character. Adewale Aroyole, the 'main G', played the LSPD Inspector role to the bone. 

However, there were some glitches here and there. The performance of the actors in the prologue scene were quite unconvincing. Some of the guardians were acting all indifferent. Anyway, I guess they didn't care much because after all, it was just a cameo for them.

Another glitch, was the make up costume used on Nick's chin when he was possessed by the spirit of the accursed one. It looked like a liquid content of a broken but unscrambled egg in a fry pan.

There was also no proper sound clarity and fidelity; you know...the kind that gives the well filtered theatre stereo-surround feel. 

In all, the Awakening is a movie that was quite well cast, the script on point, the directing quite technical and the props were well prepared and perfectly fused into the movie. The Score was melodious and quite fittingly ominous to serve a hot dish of a Thriller meal to movie buffs. The end of the movie was certainly unexpected, and will literally blo...w your mi...nd! Seriously, this movie needs more hype than it's got, because it truly deserves it. It is a must see for movie buffs! For me, it's a 4 out of 5 stars for this excellent break out movie. Good job guys!