Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons | |
---|---|
Directed by | Toka Mcbaror [1] |
Screenplay by | Anthony Kehinde Joseph |
Story by | AY Makun |
Produced by | Darlington Abuda Patrick Ovoke Odjegba |
Starring | Ramsey Nouah AY Makun Jim Iyke Damilola Adegbite Richard Mofe-Damijo Iretiola Doyle Falz Jide Kosoko Rosaline Meurer Nancy Isime |
Narrated by | Ramsey Nouah |
Cinematography | Rapha Bola |
Edited by | Patrick Ovoke Odjegba Isaace Benjamin Gem Owas |
Music by | Kolade Morakinyo |
Production companies | Corporate World Entertainment Gush Media FilmOne |
Distributed by | FilmOne Distributions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 106 minutes |
Country | Nigeria |
Languages | English Yoruba Pidgin |
Box office | ₦235.6 million [2] |
Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons is a 2018 Nigerian action comedy film written by Anthony Kehinde Joseph, produced by Darlington Abuda, and directed by Toka Mcbaror. [3] [4] It is the first installment in the Merry Men (film series). It also stars an ensemble cast, which includes: Ramsey Nouah, AY Makun, Jim Iyke, Damilola Adegbite, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Iretiola Doyle, Falz, Jide Kosoko, Rosaline Meurer , and Nancy Isime.
The film is set in Abuja. Four rich men (the Merry Men) seduce powerful women, and live a Robin Hood-esque life. They embody the stereotypical description of a Yoruba demon hence the subtitle of the movie's name. They face their biggest challenge yet when they antagonize a notorious and corrupt politician who plans on demolishing a village to build a shopping mall. The four men scheme to save the poor people of the village. [5]
According to Nollyrated, The plot of the movie was like a basket that leaked everywhere and there were hardly any firm connections in the stories. Also, some of the characters were unnecessary to the overall story. This is nothing against the actors’ skills, but some of the characters added nothing to the story [6]
According to Nollywood Reinvented, The best thing about this movie is the picture quality. The shots are crisp, the sets are luxurious, the aura is sold; but the action choreography is a joke, the lines fall flat, and all the impact is nonexistent. The nearly 2hr debacle is chock full with unnecessary cameos and forced insertion of party music to elevate the mood, but there's barely any cohesion here to drive the movie along. [7]
According to bbfc, Moderate violence includes a man gripping other men's neck, and a scene in which a man is shot, with brief sight of some bloody detail [8]
A sequel titled Merry Men 2 was released on December 20, 2019. [9] This was followed by a third installment, Merry Men 3, which premiered on October 13, 2023. [10]
Nse Ikpe-Etim is a Nigerian actress. She came into prominence in 2008 for her role in Reloaded. She was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 5th and 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards for her role in Reloaded and Mr. and Mrs., respectively. In 2014, she won the Best Actress in a Drama award at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) for playing "Nse" in Journey to Self.
James Ikechukwu Esomugha, popularly known as Jim Iyke, is a Nigerian actor and one of the stars of the movie Last Flight to Abuja.
Jide Kosoko is a veteran Nigerian actor, director and producer. He was born into a royal family, hence his traditional title of prince or "omoba" in the Yoruba language.
30 Days in Atlanta is a 2014 Nigerian romantic comedy film written by Patrick "Koinage" Nnamani, produced by Ayo Makun and directed by Robert Peters. The movie was shot in two locations in Lagos and Atlanta. It premiered on 31 October 2014. It was recognized as the highest-grossing film of all time in Nigerian cinemas in 2015, although the film was met with mixed critical reviews.
Tolulope Adesua Etomi-Wellington commonly known as Adesua Etomi is a Nigerian actress and entrepreneur. She debuted her film career with Knocking On Heaven's Door (2014). Since then she has starred in several films and many awards. Amongst them is the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
Robert Peters sometimes credited as Roberts O. Peters is a Nigerian film producer, director, cinematographer, actor, and occasional voice-over artist. He is best known for directing the 2014 Nollywood breakout movie 30 Days in Atlanta, as well as the movies Shades of Attractions (2015), Boxing Day (2016) and A trip to Jamaica (2016) which featured: Ayo Makun, Ramsey Nouah, Richard Mofe Damijo, Vivica Fox, Dan Davies, Lynn Whitfield, Eric Anthony Roberts, Paul Campbell, Funke Akindele, Karlie Redd, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Desmond Elliott, Rasaaq Adoti, and Chet Anekwe amongst others.
Nancy Isime is a Nigerian actress, model, and media personality.
Ini Dima-Okojie is a Nigerian actress from Edo State, Nigeria. She resigned from her job in investment banking to enroll at the New York Film Academy. She started her career with the first television appearance on Taste of Love and she has featured on many films including the multicultural romcom, Namaste Wahala in 2021 and the Netflix Nigerian original thriller, Blood Sisters in 2022.
Love Is War is a 2019 Nigerian political drama film directed by Omoni Oboli and written by Chinaza Onuzo. It stars Oboli, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Jide Kosoko, Akin Lewis, Bimbo Manuel, Toke Makinwa, Shaffy Bello, Femi Branch, Uzo Osimkpa, Yemi Blaq, Damilare Kuku and William Benson. Produced by Inkblot Productions and Dioni Visions, Love Is War is the second collaboration between the two production companies following 2018's Moms at War. The film is centered around a married couple who run against each other for governor in the same state.
The Millions is a 2019 Nigerian comedy thriller film directed by Toka McBaror and written by Tunde Apalowo. The film stars Ramsey Nouah, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Toyin Abraham in the lead roles. It was one of the most expensive films to be made in the Nigerian cinema with an estimated budget of whopping ₦62 million. The film had its theatrical release in Nigeria on 30 August 2019 and received positive reviews from the critics. The film became a box office success grossing ₦12.5 million worldwide and was the second highest grossing Nigerian film in September 2019 after Kasanova.
Merry Men 2: Another Mission is a 2019 Nigerian crime action comedy film and a sequel to Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons. It stars Ramsey Nouah, Ayo Makun, Jim Iyke, Falz, Ireti Doyle, Damilola Adegbite, Ufuoma McDermott, Rosaline Meurer, Nancy Isime, Alex Asogwa and Linda Osifo.
Rosaline Ufuoma Meurer, is a Gambian-born Nigerian actress and producer. She is most known for her 2014 role as Kaylah in the TV series Oasis and 2018 role as Kemi Alesinloye in Ayo Makun's Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons.
Toka McBaror is a Nigerian filmmaker, producer, movie and music video director born, raised and is based in Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria but originally from Delta State. He received an award nomination for Kada River at the 2018 Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival in Canada, and six award wins for the film, Lotanna including: Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Art Director, Best Costume and Best Sound Editor at the 2017 Golden Movie Awards.
The Accidental Spy is a 2017 Nigerian Crime comedy film directed by Roger Russell and produced by Darlington Abuda with Nosa Aghayere Dag as its executive producer. The film stars Ayo Makun, Ramsey Nouah, Henry Morris, Agatha Ezzedine, Miguel A. Núñez Jr. Alibaba Akpobome and Daniel Eghan. It was released on 1 December 2017 and premiered on Netflix on November 29, 2019.
Made in Heaven is a 2019 Nigerian romantic drama film directed by Toka McBaror and produced by Darlington Abuda. It features Nollywood's Richard Mofe Damijo, Jide Kosoko, and Nancy Isime, Ayo Makun, Toyin Abraham, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Lasisi Elenu, former Big Brother Naija housemate - Kemen, and others. The film shows its central characters seeking spiritual help in their daily lives.
Meg Otanwa is a Nigerian actress and former banker. She had her Nollywood debut in 2011 in the film, I'll Take My Chances and had featured in films such as October 1 (2018), Ojuju (2014), Kpians: The Feast of Souls (2014) and many others. She was the November 2006 cover star of Zen magazine.
Alexandra Amuche Sandra Asogwa also known as Alex Unusual is a Nigerian reality TV star, model, compere, brand influencer, filmmaker, creative writer, content creator, lifestyle vlogger, and actress.
Merry Men 3: Nemesis is a 2023 crime action comedy film produced by Filmone Distribution and released on Netflix. Written by Jeffery Musa David, Ayo Makun, and Darlington Abuda, and directed by Moses Inwang, it serves as the third installment in the Merry Men franchise, following Merry Men and Merry Men 2. The film continues the story of the charismatic and affluent group known as the Merry Men, who use their skills, resources, and cunning to take on corrupt politicians and criminals. Ayo Makun, Ramsey Nouah, Uchemba Williams, and Falz return to reprise their roles from the previous films.
Merry Men film series is a Nigerian action comedy film franchise created by Ay Makun and produced under the banner of Corporate World Entertainment and distributed by Filmone Distribution. The series comprises Three films Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons (2018), Merry Men 2: Another Mission (2019), with a third installment, Merry Men 3: Nemesis (2024). Known for its mix of humor, action, and social commentary, the series has gained significant attention in Nollywood, featuring an ensemble cast of Nigerians.