As "Mikolo" Takes Flight, the Sky is Truly the Limit for This Magical Adventure
Ever the ambitious filmmaker, Niyi Akinmolayan takes a bold step with "Mikolo," Nollywood's first live-action animated movie.
Written & Directed by: Niyi Akinmolayan
Production house: Anthill Studios
Starring: Fiyinfoluwa Asenuga (Habeeb), Pamilerin Ayodeji (Funke), Femi Adebayo (Babablu), Yvonne Jegede (Lola), Ayo Mogaji (Grandma), Daniel Etim-Effiong (Maleek), Riyo David (Abula), and many more
It is the year of the Lord 2008, and a relatively unknown filmmaker Niyi Akinmolayan has big dreams about changing the world, but first, he has to conquer Nollywood. Kajola (2010) is the product of that ambition, a film emerging from the aftermath of a robbery and Akinmolayan's desire to allegorize Nigerian society's woes.
The movie aimed high with its sci-fi setting in futuristic Lagos where the divide between the mainlanders and the islanders cut deeply with the destruction of the Third Mainland Bridge. For a debut film shot in 2008 Nigeria, Kajola was a lofty dream for the filmmaker; it is reported that over 90% of the movie was shot using green screens. Unfortunately, Kajola's ambitions exceeded its grasp, resulting in a critical and financial letdown. Now, thirteen years later, Akinmolayan, armed with more experience and better-received films, ventures back into the realm of intense CGI with Mikolo.
Mikolo's plot revolves around two siblings, Funke (Pamilerin Ayodeji) and Habeeb (Fiyinfoluwa Asenuga), who discover a magical creature named Mikolo. Together, they embark on a journey to the heart of the mystical Irumole forest rumored to house wondrous creatures to help Mikolo return home.
Mikolo is a first in many ways and with it, Akinmolayan pushes the boundaries of whatβs currently obtainable in Nollywood. Itβs the first Nigerian live-action animation; a genre that seamlessly blends real actors with CGI figures, bringing to life an array of characters in a world where anything is possible. This concept is already familiar in Hollywood through films like Space Jam, Mary Poppins, Casper, and Paddington, to mention but a few. With Mikolo, Nollywood takes a significant step into this imaginative and family-centric cinematic space.
Like its predecessor Kajola, Mikolo boasts ambition. The film introduces a fantastical world with CGI-infused characters, delivering a visual spectacle that, despite occasional hiccups in the effects, immerses the audience. Mikolo, a creature resembling a multi-colored dog with wings, occasionally suffers from visual focus issues, but its overall appeal remains intact. The film compensates for visual lapses with the captivating landscape of Osun state and the vibrant scenery of the Irumole forest.
The narrative is simple and the acting performances match up to it. Pamilerin Ayodeji shines as Funke, showcasing her undeniable talent and star power. Her on-screen brother, Habeeb (Fiyinfoluwa Asenuga), portrayed as overbearing and occasionally annoying, adds a layer of authenticity to the characters as almost everyone can relate to having such a sibling. Yvonne Jegede delivers a commendable performance as the worried mother, injecting depth into her character despite limited screen time.
Ever the ambitious filmmaker, Niyi Akinmolayanβs writing for Mikolo is straightforward and his direction is clean. According to him, a lot of work went into prepping for the production including a process that saw, for the first time, the scanning of humans in a Nollywood film project so that the flying scenes would come across as more realistic, among other ambitious moves taken to aid the credibility of the final product. How well does the output hold? Pretty well, if you ask me. In an industry that can sometimes feel stale and monotonous, Mikolo takes its proud spot on the list of 2023 projects that helped advance the industry through bold steps taken by their respective filmmakers to do something different.
Mikolo is a testament to Akinmolayan's ambition and commitment to advancing Nollywood. The straightforward narrative, clear direction, and use of cutting-edge technology reflect an investment of over 120 million Naira, a hefty sum even for Anthill Studios. Whether theyβve recouped their investment is something only they can confirm, but one thing we can all see is that theyβve come a long way since the days of Kajola. Nollywood needs more movies like Mikolo and it needs them to succeed financially; so, I do hope that it becomes an acquired taste for the industry and sets a pace that encourages more profitable investment into stories like it that parents and their children can comfortably watch together and bond over.
With some unanswered questions and the promise that Mikolo will return, we have something to look forward to here in terms of a truly Nigerian franchise that is family-friendly.
Mikolo hit the soft spot with its theatrical debut in August in time for the kidsβ long-term break; itβs done that again now, with its Christmas holiday streaming debut. If you missed it in cinemas, you donβt have an excuse now. Go check it out with your family on Prime Video.