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Action | Zikoko!
  • The Nollywood Guide to Being an Action Hero

    Nollywood’s given us a lot of action movies lately, featuring  intense, complex characters seeking vengeance or punishing their enemies. Some even spend half the film staring at us like they’re suffering from indigestion. 

    If this is something you admire and would like to add to your day-to-day living, look no further.

    Master the smoldering, no-nonsense look

    What’s an action hero if they can’t stop their enemies and make them quake in fear with just one look.

    Action hero to emulate: Paul Edima from The Black Book 

    A past laced with trauma

    Having a trauma-filled life leads to some serious character-building, and a shit ton of baggage to unpack. 

    Action hero to emulate: Obalola from Gangs of Lagos 

    An eerie calm

    Just be calm and relax your nerves. Even if your enemy has threatened to obliterate your entire family, stand strong and be unmoved.

    Action hero to emulate: Big Daddy from The Black Book 

    Have loved ones you’re not willing to lose 

    Something needs to happen to someone you love before your craze is activated and the story truly begins.

    Action hero to emulate: Ahanna from Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story 

    Be good and bad

    You know how people say you have to pick a side? Ignore them. Mix the little good you have in you with all the shege and bad vibes the world has shown you. That’s the only way you can go forth and conquer.

    Action hero to emulate: Akin from Brotherhood 

    Be a single pringle

    Everyone around you can be in love and enjoy romance, but if you really want to be in your action hero bag, you have to embrace a life of solitude.

    Action hero to emulate: Eniola Salami from King of Boys 

    Get yourself a crew

    You’ll need a group of people who know your capabilities and are willing to align with your plan without too much explanation. Because chances are you won’t have the time to explain, and you’ll need people you can trust.

    Action hero to emulate: Okikiola from Devil in Agbada

    Take time out of your busy schedule and come eat all the meat you can find on November 11 at the biggest meat festival, Burning Ram.

    Get a ticket for you and your crew here.

    Great one-liners

    To fully enter your action hero bag, you’ll need great one-liners like “Chi-Chi, share the groundnut” and “Be reasonable with your mother”.

    Action hero to emulate: Eniola Salami from King of Boys: The Return of The King 

  • Which of “Fast and Furious” Crazy Stunts Can You Try in Nigeria?

    Vin Diesel, the evil you have done with Fast and Furious is enough. Please, rest. 

    Source: Giphy

    You have to be living under a rock if you  haven’t heard about Fast and Furious at this point. Returning for its tenth installment, the car racing film turned action/heist/thriller franchise has become famous for two things: having Vin Diesel say ”family” at least 1000 times per film and its impossible stunt scenes that defy physics and every other scientific law. 

    Source: Giphy

    With each installment of the franchise crazier than the last, we’re looking at some of the most unhinged and unrealistic stunts Dom (Vin Diesel) and his gang have pulled over the years and whether or not they’d work in Nigeria. 

    Source: Giphy

    12. Driving a car into a yacht (2 Fast 2 Furious, 2003) 

    Looking at the ridiculous accidents in Abuja with cars ending up on statues, I think crashing a car into a yacht is child’s play. This is literally the easiest stunt they’ve pulled in the Fast and Furious franchise. All you need to do is find a yacht, not a flying boat. 

    11. Dom destroys the street with his feet (Furious 7, 2015)

    Considering all the roads that spoil every week and the buildings that collapse every three market days, Dom causing an earthquake  with his feet is very possible. You might have to stomp more than once, but remain resilient and watch the ground open and swallow your enemies. 

    10. Stretching Dom’s car with ropes (The Fate of the Furious, 2017) 

    Another easy stunt. It doesn’t take much to use ropes to drag someone’s car. The somersaulting is another story sha. But the rope thing? Very possible. 

    9. The final race on a train track (The Fast and the Furious, 2001) 

    This stunt is only dangerous when trains actually work. Most of the government trains in Nigeria are part-time workers doing remote work, so they’re on like twice a month. Just ensure you’re not pulling a Vin Diesel on the day they have trips to make. If not, you’re on your own. 

    8. Hobbs holding a helicopter with his bare hands (Hobbs and Shaw, 2018)

    I know it looks impossible, but dear, have you seen the men and women at iFitness or Fitness Central? Those people are obviously on crack based on the weights they lift daily. How many kilograms does a helicopter weigh? I’m sure it’s lightweight for my Nigerian gym bros. 

    7. Dropping cars from planes (Furious 7, 2015 and Fast X, 2023) 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDTO2TDTz5E

    Is it the same Nigeria where you have to pay thousands for extra luggage? Imagine paying to fly a car, only to tell the pilot to drop the car mid-flight with you in it. After asking if their village people sent you to them, there’s a high chance the pilot will swear for you and all your family members. 

    RECOMMENDED: What If Ozark Was a Nigerian TV Show?

    6. Remote controlling all the cars on the street (Furious 7, 2015) 

    Charlize Theron’s Cypher may have created the coolest device to control cars within a three mile radius. But I can bet it won’t work in Nigeria. Imagine trying to control all the cars on the third mainland bridge, and PHCN takes power? What will happen while you wait for them to turn on the gen? The wahala is not worth it. 

    5. Dragging a bank vault across the street (Fast Five, 2011) 

    This stunt is only possible in places with free roads, like Uyo or Kaduna. These days, even Abuja has traffic. How do you expect to speed away with a vault when facing bumper-to-bumper traffic almost every day? 

    4. Dom flying his cars between two skyscrapers (Furious 7, 2015) 

    This stunt “worked” because it was Dubai, and almost every building there is a skyscraper, so it was easy for Dom and his people to drive from one to the other. The distance wasn’t a lot. Skyscrapers are scarce in Nigeria, boo. You can fly out of a skyscraper and crash into a bungalow here. Please do this at your own risk because while cars might fly in Dubai, they obey the laws of gravity here. 

    3. The gang battling a tank and Dom catching Letty like Superman (Fast and Furious 6, 2013) 

    No, in what world is this even possible? I need Vin Diesel and his people to be for real. Unless your middle name is Kal-El or Thor, I’ll advise you to steer clear of this unhinged jump. Once again, who are we deceiving here, Vinny boy? 

    2. Driving and fighting beside a plane that’s on fire (Fast and Furious 6, 2013) 

    This stunt is only possible in the Fast and Furious multiverse of craze. There’s no way you believe this is actually possible. 

    1. Driving into space. Yes, space (Fast 9, 2021) 

    Getting to drive your car from one state to another in Nigeria is a journey that requires the blood of Jesus and a couple of other spiritual reinforcements. So can you now imagine driving a car into space from Nigeria? Let’s forget that it’s not possible, even in America. But in Nigeria? Chelsea, come on now? Maybe you can try again in 2030, the year Nigeria has projected it’ll send someone into space

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  • We Ranked the Fight Scenes in “Gangs of Lagos” From Survivable to Sorry for You

    There’s no better way to put it: Gangs of Lagos is iconic. 

    The trailer promised an abundance of fist swinging, high jump leg kicking and hard head nods that’d destabilise anybody. And the movie didn’t disappoint, so now, it’s time to rank all the fights that took place in the Isale Eko of Gangs of Lagos.

    Serious ones

    The avenging of Nino

    Why does this look like a scene out of Game of Thrones? 

    After Nino’s killers delivered his body in a wheelbarrow like they were alabarus delivering goods in Balogun market, Isale Eko was drenched in blood and chaos. Deservedly so because why would anybody kill Nino “Money is for spending” and not think there’d be consequences?

    Verdict: Survivable 

    But the only way you’re surviving this is if you’re there to avenge Nino, or you have odeshi like London. If not, it’s sorry for you.

    Obalola and Gift’s collection job

    They walked into that garage in stealth mode and cleared out the place in minutes. We know it wasn’t the life Nino wanted for them, but still, he would’ve been proud.

    Verdict: Survivable

    You could escape the garage through the back door, or point Wemimo out to Gift and Obalola.

    The unfair non-fight fight

    Look, we’re still sour over this. All Ify wanted to do was sing, blow and leave the trenches with his family, but Kazeem’s bad character goons ambushed him on a lonely street. We’d ask God to judge him, but Gift took care of that.

    Verdict: Sorry for you

    It was a lily-livered ambush, but the survival rate is a very strong sorry for you.

    Isale Eko’s Mama Ify-inspired unrest

    After Mama Ify called for vengeance and a general lack of peace (she was very specific), the streets flowed with blood once more. It wasn’t the same as when they were trying to avenge Nino, but still, everyone showed up pissed AF. Once Gift blew someone’s brain off in the first 20 seconds of the fight, we knew this was it.

    Verdict: Sorry for you, on all sides. 

    A fight that almost cost Obalola and Gift their lives? Everyone was ready, so if you were caught up in it, you’d have to be dodging blows and broken bottles till you got home.

    Kash and Obalola’s 1-on-1

    After fighting through the streets, a very tired-looking Obalola thought dropping his weapon and engaging in hand-to-hand combat with Kash would end well for him. It didn’t.

    Verdict: Survivable, as long as you don’t cut Kasope’s neck ice.

    The great massacre

    RIP to the odeshi carrying London, and sorry they used your funeral to squash beef. But there was no better moment than that first pow and Kazeem’s realisation that this could be the end.

    Verdict: Highly Survivable

    If you have strong survival skills, and amebo is not your calling, you could easily crawl away and save yourself.

    Obalola and Kazeem’s 1-on-1

    RIP Kazeem, the evil you’ve done is enough.

    This fight didn’t even have to be a fight. All Obalola had to do was shoot Kazeem in his wicked head and call it a day. But he wanted to form Bash Ali with hand-to-hand combat, a recurring character trait he needs to abolish because he keeps getting his ass handed to him. 

    Verdict: Survivable

    But only if you’re on Obalola’s team, or you lie down flat, hold your breath and pray they pass you by.

  • Here’s How to Plan the Perfect “Gangs of Lagos” Watch Party

    First, subscribe for Amazon Prime Video

    The movie is dropping on the 7th of April, and you don’t want to be caught off-guard when it does. So, sign up for Amazon Prime Video in advance so you don’t miss it when it drops.

    Cancel your Friday night plans

    If you had plans with friends for Friday turn-up, cancel them. Instead, send them all an invite to come over to your place to watch the movie. If they don’t want to come, show them this teaser and they’ll drop everything else they have planned.

    Make sure you have light

    The last thing you want is for the power to go out in the middle of an epic fight in the movie. It’ll kill everyone’s vibe. So, make sure you have backup plans laid out in case of surprises. Look for fuel if you need to. Anything to make sure your watch party slaps.

    Get some popcorn

    It’s a whole movie experience, and it’ll be incomplete if you and your friends don’t have popcorn to go with it. So, make sure you have that ready ahead of time.

    Or cook some food

    Popcorn probably won’t do for a movie this hot. So, cook actual food for the people you’re having a watch party with.

    Follow the conversation on the internet

    People are going to be talking about it on the internet. In fact, they’re already doing so on Twitter with the hashtag #GangsOfLagosOnPrime. Make sure to join the conversation and drop your own two cents because, why not?

    Don’t share spoilers

    There’ll be some annoying people who want to share spoilers by all means. Don’t be like them. Share the teaser instead so that other people can go watch the movie and enjoy it too.

    Tune in and enjoy

    Once you have everything set for your watch party, set a reminder to make sure you don’t miss it the second it comes out. Then, at the auspicious time of 7pm on the 7th of April, tune in and enjoy the movie with your friends. Tell us, is there a better way to spend the holiday?

  • The Rock and Vin Diesel Have Nothing on These Old Nollywood Action Stars

    Yes, Vin Diesel is great at lying to us that cars can fly in the Fast and the Furious movie series, but has he ever had to challenge spirits in the evil forest like Gentle Jack?

    We all know The Rock kills it playing the same character lost in a bush over and over again in Jurassic World, Jungle Cruise and Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, but can he fight while speaking in an untraceable accent like Hanks Anuku? The answer is “No”. 

    Here are some of Old Nollywood’s finest action stars I believe would give Vin and Dwayne a run for their money. 

    Gentle Jack 

    Before all the men in Lagos started to look like bouncers because of iFitness, Gentle Jack was the biggest guy I’d ever seen. This man looked like a pro WWE wrestler with arms the size of an average person’s head. Don’t believe me? See it for yourself:  

    Gentle Jack was one of Nollywood’s biggest action stars based on movies like Vuga and Rescue Mission that showed his ability to switch from village hero to modern gang leader with ease. 

    Sam Dede

    We can’t talk about Nollywood without mentioning the anti-robbery film, Isakaba. It’s also impossible to talk about Isakaba without stanning the film’s leading man, Sam Dede. This man invented the word, “Zaddy” — please, argue with yourself. 

    Over two decades later, Sam Dede is still fighting criminals and kicking ass in Jadesola Osiberu’s Brotherhood. A forever fave. 

    Saint Obi 

    If Old Nollywood ever made a Bond movie, Saint Obi would’ve been James. Saint Obi was one of those actors who could beat your ass in one minute wearing this fit: 

    Then, show up the next minute dressed like one of those “aspire to perspire” motivational speakers: 

    This is the versatility I stan. When last did you see Vin Diesel in a suit? 

    RECOMMENDED: I Watched The Nollywood Movie, “State of Emergency” So You Don’t Have To

    Hanks Anuku 

    You know a character is up to no good when he’s played by Hanks Anuku. Fear the character some more when you hear he just got back from the “states” but has an untraceable Ameringlish accent. 

    Even though he was terrifying AF, something about his acting (and accent) made even the most serious scenes feel comedic. He was like, “I’ll blow your brains out, but at least, you’ll die laughing.”  

    JT Tom West 

    JT Tom West was the ultimate villain in the Nollywood hostage film, State of Emergency. Not only did JT’s looks and acting embody his characters, his name literally sounds like it belongs to a random CIA agent on 24 or Quantico

    JT was a no-nonsense action star ready to waste anyone who wasted his time. No forgiveness or mercy unlike the guys in Fast and Furious

    Chidi Mokeme 

    Nothing is more satisfying than when one of your faves finally gets the flowers they deserve by entering the Gen Z cool book. Chidi Mokeme recently had that moment after playing Scar on Netflix’s Shanty Town

    But before he played the gang leader and human organ trafficker who also happens to be a polyglot, Chidi Mokeme was a renowned action star in Old Nollywood thanks to films like Bad Boys with Saint Obi and His Majesty with Kanayo O. Kanayo. Action star or not, Chidi was also a big time Nollywood lover boy: 

    McMaurice Ndubueze 

    Is it really a campus cult movie if McMaurice Ndubueze isn’t roaming up and down, terrorising everybody in sight? 

    While all the other action stars on this list intimidated people by throwing hands or shooting guns, McMaurice’s power is in his ability to threaten his victims until they piss themselves. His facial reactions to his gang members’ or victim’s stupidity also live rent free in my head. 

    Remember this one? 

    Let’s not forget this one too

    ALSO READ: How to Make a Badass Nollywood Action Film, According to “Brotherhood” Scriptwriter, Abdul Tijani-Ahmed

  • 1. State of Emergency

    Directed by Teco Benson, this movie told the story of a group of terrorists (they were former soldiers) who kidnap and hold 9 Ministers hostage. The movie starred Saint Obi, J.T Tom West, Kunle Coker, Rachael Oniga and many others. If you somehow haven’t seen this movie, you should. It is hands down, the best action movie Nollywood has produced till date. There is this one scene where Saint Obi saves Rachael Oniga’s son from a bomb blast that will make you shout “Wawu!”.

    2. Most Wanted

    This movie tells the story of 4 unemployed female graduates who are unable to find jobs so they decide to go into armed robbery instead. Dressed as men, they carry out all their operations smoothly. The movie starred Regina Askia, Ibinabo Fiberesima, Liz Benson and also Genevieve Nnaji in her first movie role ever. Also, a lot of people don’t know this but “Most Wanted” was pretty much a rip-off of the American movie “Set It Off”.

    3. Issakaba

    Issakaba had FIVE PARTS. This is the first thing you need to know. It was pretty awesome though so that shouldn’t really bother you. It was about a time when corruption was all over the place so a group of vigilantes took it upon themselves to cleanse the land using juju and supernatural powers. It starred Sam Dede, Chiwentala Agu, Amaechi Muonagor, Susan Obi and a lot of other familiar faces. How insane is it that pretty much every Nollywood movie has like 4-5 parts?

    4. Kajola

    Kajola was supposed to be groundbreaking. It was different from anything Nollywood had seen at the time. It was a dystopian Sci-Fi/Action movie set in the year 2059. It was about a bleak future version of Lagos where all the rich people had moved to The Island and the third mainland bridge had been destroyed, leaving all the people left on the mainland to fight for survival. It starred Desmond Elliot and a bunch of other familiar faces. The only thing wrong with this movie was the special effects. The filmmakers had awesome ideas, like this shot of the Third Main Land bridge destroyed in the year 2059…….
    ……but they didn’t have the funds and technology to back it up and because of this, the movie’s special effects were terrible. Like Play Station 1 terrible. It was so sad. You should still see it though.

    Now that you know some of the awesome Nollywood action movies, check out this next article to see a list of the greatest Nollywood movies of all time!

    The 10 Greatest Movies From The Golden Age of Nollywood