Released on Democracy Day, “Muri and Ko” provided a delightful escape from reality while hinting at satire to keep us grounded. The film engaged audiences with its humor, offering plenty of laughs and lighthearted entertainment.

A slight spoiler alert: Just a sprinkle of spoilers that won’t spoil the fun. Consider them the garnish on your cinematic dish.

Plot

Muri and Ko follow Muritala, aka “Muri”, a petty thief who discovers a new lucrative venture in stealing and selling car parts. As he delves deeper into this new business, he comes across a “whole” car left unlocked by its owner. Seeing an opportunity too good to pass up, Muri decides to “pick” the opportunity. However, unbeknownst to him, Cole, “Ko”, is still inside. His quest to sell the car but keep Cole safe leads to a series of comical misadventures, forging an unlikely friendship between the two.

Story

The story begins with a humorous tone, setting the stage for the comedic antics that follow. With a wink to the audience, the film’s opening scenes signal that despite the serious situations and allegations that will arise, the journey ahead will be playful and entertaining. By establishing this comedic foundation, the story invites viewers to suspend their disbelief and enjoy the ridiculous adventures that are about to unfold.

The Cinema Experience

Muri and Ko delivered a reel of laughs from the opening credits to the final cut. Right from the opening scene, it was clear that this film was more about slapstick than serious drama. As the plot unspooled, the audience found themselves chuckling more and more at the over-the-top situations that diverged wildly from reality.

The ending had viewers laughing not out of heartfelt emotion but at the sheer absurdity of it all. And it’s acceptable because we’ve known not to take the drama too seriously. In the end, “Muri and Ko” might not have tugged at heartstrings, but it certainly tickled the funny bone with its offbeat humor and playful editing.

Performance

Child actor Fiyinfoluwa Asenuga, who portrays Cole, delivers a performance marked by an endearing charm and natural flair. Asenuga brings to life the character of Cole, a child celebrity typified as an “aje butter,” a term used by Muri (Kunle Remi) to describe a child sheltered from the harsh realities of life. His innocence and naivety are palpable, particularly in his interactions with his kidnapper, whom he embraces with trust, highlighting the kidnapper’s underlying good intentions.

Kunle Remi’s portrayal of Muri is equally notable. He skillfully embodies the rough yet amiable demeanor of a nonchalant street thug. Muri’s character, while rough-edged, exudes a friendliness and humor that makes him endearing.

The recurring motif of his serenade to his girlfriend, Shalewa ‘Shay Baby’ (played by Bukunmi ‘Kie Kie’ Adeaga-Ilori), serves as a narrative device to underscore the humor and affection in their relationship albeit, not the focus of the story. Their dynamic, characterized by playful banter and mutual affection, is brought to life through their convincing performances. The scene where Muri sings to Shay Baby is particularly humorous, showcasing the actors’ comedic prowess.

We also have Charles Okocha, who portrays the stoic character Chukwudi with remarkable simplicity and physical embodiment. His understated performance is elevated by the humorous use of sound effects, making his character memorable.

The film also features strong performances from the supporting cast. Femi Jacobs plays a detective with a soft spot for Cole’s celebrity mother, DD, portrayed by Bisola Aiyeola. Bucci Franklin shines as Cole’s absentee father and aspiring artist, Banji Adams. The cast is further enriched by Adediwura BlarkGold, Gloria Anozie-Young, and Emem Ufot, each delivering notable performances that contribute to the film’s overall appeal.

Technical Aspects

One standout moment of comedic editing involved sound effects: the menacing Chukwudi, a character set up to be a fearsome antagonist, emitted a train-like scream upon realizing he had been outsmarted. This unexpected audio gag was a directorial masterstroke, subverting his menacing persona and leaving the audience in stitches.

In addition to the standout sound editing that amplified the comedy, “Muri and Ko” also sprinkled in some well-timed physical comedy that added an extra layer of charm to the genre. The catchy “Ele muri, agba picker…” song was both funny and unforgettable.

The was particularly memorable, echoing in viewers’ minds after the credits rolled. Its popularity even spilled over onto social media, where users created content featuring the song, inadvertently boosting the film’s publicity.

The film is well-curated with naturalistic colors, setting the tone for a realistic backdrop, though it doesn’t rely entirely on realism. This visual approach grounds the story in a familiar setting while allowing the satirical and comedic elements to shine through.

These technical elements worked interdependently, demonstrating the filmmaker’s keen attention to the genre. And they inadvertently collectively elevated the cinematic experience.

Final Thoughts

The film cleverly parodied internet personalities (who shall remain unnamed), adding satirical humour that resonated with the audience. The references were subtle enough that some viewers might miss them. But, watch closely and you might spot them! There’s also an easter egg that you should look for. Take a hint: it involves medical intervention which perfectly mirrored Cole’s on-screen predicament.

However, not everything went off without a hitch. In this same scene where the easter egg was featured, the text “VFX Screen” appeared, suggesting a potential technical oversight or error. Despite this glitch, the probably unintended easter egg still contributed a humorous and meaningful layer to the narrative. It’s perfect fodder for “over-analysis” by film buffs looking to find depth in every pixel, pretending it was totally on purpose.

The film used a technique where some characters spoke Igbo and the subtitle merely read “speaking Igbo.” We’re curious to know what they’re talking about (non-Igbo speakers) While this initially appeared to be a subtitle error, it was a deliberate creative choice to build suspense.

Moreover, the film’s treatment of serious situations, such as kidnapping and theft, was quite questionable. These moments were used more as anecdotes for laughs rather than conveying their gravity. While the film’s tone made it clear not to take things too seriously, the lack of severity, even after minimal consequences, is not unnoticeable.

This approach still underscores the film’s commitment to comedy, even at the expense of addressing serious issues with the expected gravity. That’s satirical.

One notable aspect of the film was the performance during the end credits, which successfully kept audiences in their seats. Typically, viewers leave once the credits roll, but this engaging and funny performance encouraged them to stay and learn about the people behind the scenes.

Verdict

Muri and Ko is a lighthearted comedy that excels in delivering laughs. The film’s creative choices, from editing and satirical hints, highlight how the filmmakers also had fun while creating it.

However, its treatment of serious themes is ironically funny, using these situations more for comedic effect than conveying their gravity. Additionally, technical oversights, such as on-screen text errors, slightly mar the viewing experience.

Despite its few flaws, Muri and Ko provide a refreshing break from reality with its offbeat humor and memorable performances

Rating: 3/5