‘Merry Men 2’ is an enjoyable film that satisfies the audience in ways that are more psychological than technical. It is solid proof that comedian and producer, Ayo ‘AY’ Makun listens to the audience.
As a budding franchise, it is impossible to talk about the movie without reference to its prequel. In fact, it is this comparison that subtly takes place in the mind of the audience that increased the climax for the film.
The premise of the ‘Merry Men’ movies is based on four young ‘Robin Hood’-inspired men who steal from the corrupt rich and give to the poor. They had a risky operation in the first film and decided to stop when two of them found love.
In ‘Merry men 2’, they discover the game continues as fresh circumstances force them to take up arms again. In one hour, fifteen minutes of action-comedy, Ayo Makun, Ramsey Nouah, Jim Iyke, Folarin ‘Falz Falana, and Williams Uchemba thoroughly entertained the audience.
The movie is far from perfect as the funny action scenes proved. Still, audiences did not mind as the other elements worked perfectly to cover that blind spot. First, the fluidity of the story and connection of scenes make the film easy to watch. This is a far cry from what was obtainable in the first film.
Second, the film had a better direction than the first. Well planned scenes with extra pictures, courtesy of the improved cinematography and overall production. Third, the locations were beautiful.
Aesthetics is important in the film and the production crew took note. In places where the audience could not follow the dialogue, they simply admired the architecture and interior of most of the locations used.
Fourth, each newly introduced character was easy to accommodate. Sometimes, when franchises add new characters, audiences struggle to fit them into the story. This was not the case with Ufuoma McDermott, Linda Osifo, Regina Daniels, Alex Asogwa and Williams Uchemba.
Lastly, AY’s acting was better than it had been in his past films, it is easy to see his growth as an actor, and especially at this point where he delivers his lines and does not reduce to employing extra gimmicks for entertainment.
It will be unfair to not acknowledge the splendid work done in what can be tagged as ‘the most memorable scene’ of the movie. Nouah’s character goes to pick a bottle of wine and turns to see a strange person sitting by his piano, playing something really melodious with confidence. He turns to take action and is attacked by a gunman.
He is distracted by the scuffle as the man is intent on killing him. The music tempo increases as the fight intensifies. It’s obvious that the piano player is having fun with this. What is also clear is that music is a powerful signal that the gunman must listen to while he fights.
Everything in this scene is great to watch. The fight, the music, the blend of the piano into the movie’s score, the interior of the house. It was beautifully written and points to an area that AY needs to pay attention to.
This is it – while ‘Merry men 2’ is an amazing movie, it would have done much better if more details were paid attention to; the fight sequences and better translation of the script to screen. Good is not enough. The franchise can be great. (NAN)
