One thing I didn't expect from Merry Men 2 was to actually enjoy it more than the first. Not because the first movie was terrible, but because it felt like it was trying too hard to convince us that these four men were charming, funny and irresistible. This time, there is an actual problem to solve and somehow, that makes the Merry Men 2 more interesting.
A year after their Robin Hood days, Amaju, Ayo, Naz and Remi are trying to live more normal lives. Ayo is preparing to marry Dera, Naz is married to Kemi and expecting to become a father, while Amaju and Remi are still very much enjoying their bachelor lifestyles.
Then everything changes. Kemi is kidnapped, and the person behind it is none other than Dame Maduka, the corrupt politician the Merry Men exposed in the first part of the movie. She wants them to retrieve crucial evidence that could put her in serious trouble.
So, the men who had decided to leave their criminal adventures behind suddenly find themselves back in the game, not because they want money or excitement this time, but because someone they love is being held hostage and that difference matters.
There is more emotional weight in this movie because the mission is personal. Naz is no longer just the womaniser from the first film but he is now a husband and soon-to-be father fighting to get his wife back. Ayo also has more at stake because Kemi is his sister, while his relationship with Dera forces him to think about the kind of life he actually wants.
I also liked the introduction of Zara, played by Ufuoma McDermott, and the female team surrounding her. The movie gives the women more involvement in the action instead of simply making them romantic accessories to the four men.
The familiar faces return Ramsey Nouah, AY Makun, Jim Iyke and Falz with Ireti Doyle as Dame Maduka, Damilola Adegbite as Dera, Rosaline Meurer as Kemi, Nancy Isime as Sophie, Williams Uchemba as Johnny, Linda Osifo and Alex Asogwa among others. The sequel was directed by Moses Inwang and written by Anthony Kehinde Joseph from a story by Ayo Makun.
Now, is it perfect? Absolutely not.
Some of the dialogue is still awkward, the comedy doesn't always land, and there are moments where the action feels more interested in looking exciting than actually being convincing. Even critics who acknowledged the improvement still pointed out weaknesses in the dialogue and storytelling.
But compared with Part 1, I think this one understood something important which is a good character becoming more interesting when there is something they genuinely care about losing.
Merry Men 2 still has the luxury, the beautiful people, the cars, the jokes and the unnecessary drama but underneath all of that, there is finally a story with consequences and honestly, that made the second mission worth taking.
I'll be dropping my 🖊️ here on the movie review
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All images are for the movie.
Rating: 89/100