MOVIE REVIEW: “Kembe Isonu Season 3: The Warfare” Produced by Femi Adebile
Reviewed by Ajibare Abioye
Hey folks! You’re welcome to the review of “Kembe Isonu Season 3: The Warfare”. Something I’ve come to appreciate in this particular series is how it gets better with each new season. That said, I would say that Season 3 is the cream of the crop in the series so far.
Its dialogue is significantly an upgrade on the previous seasons. Here, it was more engaging, more witty and remarkably makes use of Nigerian pop culture references such as sorosoke and lori iro. The pace picks up quicker and the background music has only gotten better and better. The introductory song was tailored to the cast name display in the opening credits, while a slower variation of its instrumental is used along the line in the movie, thus creating a motif for its music.
The development of the characters has also been consistent, while also smoothly introducing new characters. The boys have come a long way from the days of their captivity in Ewekoro’s dungeon. Gbadebo has evolved from his disinterest in the salvation of his soul into a bold, assured fellow who literally puts on a helmet of salvation, while Gbenro has become a teacher of the gospel. Some however, are yet to really turn a corner in their lives. I really look forward to Aremo ‘Bawumi stepping up to his potential. This is someone that at an early point in the series, seemed to be the hope of Bayegun village but fell short. Every other chance since then to take his place of authority in Christ just hasn’t been fruitful; so, I hope he eventually rises to the call.
Now to the eponymous character, Kembe Isonu: he’s at a place where he should be teaching others but he hasn’t made Jesus his only Lord yet. Even the newly born-again king of Alajogun recognises Kembe’s serve-two-masters mentality. And with God, you’d have to stay on one side of the road; you’re either hot or cold.
It’s sad to see Kembe Isonu reduced to a beggarly, pitiable and dishonourable state. Oluawo of Alajogun village serves as a foil to Kembe. Having been priests to the gods of their respective villages, their decisions to follow Jesus couldn’t have turned out to be more different than portrayed in this season. Oluawo has unswerving devotion to the Lord and he literally puts off the old man, and his new appearance is pleasant to see. Kembe on the other hand doesn’t put on the form of godliness, yet, wants the power therein. Gbawomi is the character that exposes his flaws, and like I said in my review of Season 2, he is one to look out for.
Gbawomi is on a revenge mission against Kembe Isonu because Kembe made Gbawomi’s relative, Alapini partially dumb. He is played excellently by Paul Adepoju who embodies his character in recognisable ways, especially in his mannerisms in speech, and charisma in gestures.
Let’s now talk about Olori Semoleyin who had promised to return in this season with power that would defeat the Almighty, and her plan was, well, to place curses on the people. Is it just me, or have you ever wondered how the King of Alajogun and Queen Semoleyin became a couple? I can’t just imagine what kind of marriage they have. That cursing scene is my favourite scene in the movie, inspired by the Balaam-Balak story, which is just an example of maybe I should say, more creative story writing.
Also, one remarkable thing Season 3 does, I would say that other previous seasons don’t do that strikingly, is setting up the next season of the franchise. The story is well-poised to launch into another season due to the cliffhangers intentonally inserted in it. Gbewukari, Semoleyin’s mother, has promised to find out the ‘taboo’ of the New Covenant Gbadebo and Gbenro have with Christ, and it’s left to our imagination how the boys may be undone; something in the line of Delilah comes to my mind. That prospect makes me look forward to the next season. Similarly, the king of Bayegun who seemed to have given his life to Christ appears to shift ground when his most valued treasure is in chains. That showed me that whoever we claim to be and our profession of faith will be tested at one time or the other; I pray that after all is said and done, we will not be found wanting.
Coupled with questions of what Bawumi would do being pushed to the wall, a new season earns its place in this series. I look forward to a very impactful and entertaining Season 4.
Alright, we’ve come to the end of this reveiw. Have you see the movie? What did you think about it? What was your favourite scene? Please let me know your thoughts in the comments section below:
