Director: Robert Peters
Screenplay: Musa Jeffrey David
Streaming Platform: Netflix
The film Hijack ‘93 revisits the story of the October 25, 1993, hijacking of Nigerian Airways Flight 212, led by Richard Ogunderu and three other members of the Movement for Democracy. Released on Netflix exactly 31 years after the event, the movie follows Ben-Owiwi (Allison Emmanuel), Kayode-Eruku (Adam Garba), Dayo-Iku (Akinsola Oluwaseyi), and their leader, Omar-Skipper (Nnamdi Agbo), as they hijack a flight from Lagos to Abuja. Their mission: to demand the reinstatement of democratic rule by the Nigerian Federal Military Government. Attempting to divert the plane to Frankfurt, they stop in Niger Republic for fuel, where Nigerian forces led by Lt. Kenneth Dokunbo (Bob Manuel) arrive to negotiate. As the hijackers await their demands to be met, flashbacks reveal their personal traumas and motivations.
The Credit
Hijack ’93 deserves credit for tackling a unique plot within Nollywood—a hijacking story that taps into Nigerian historical events. The film aligns well with Nollywood’s recent trend of exploring national and epic history. The dialogue is a strong point, with memorable lines like, “Once you let evil into your home, it brings the rest of its family along,” and “Holding on to grief is like stuffing your pockets with stones and going out to swim.” The cinematography, while simple, benefits from well-chosen camera angles and satisfactory video quality.
The performances of the four lead actors, especially in portraying the hijackers, bring a degree of intensity to the film. Bob Manuel stands out as Lt. Dokunbo, delivering his lines with precision and maintaining the stern demeanor expected of a military officer. Nancy Isime and Sani Mu’azu also excel in their roles, and the film offers a surprising twist regarding a collaborator within the group.
What Went Wrong?
Despite a promising start, Hijack ‘93 struggles with pacing, often losing momentum due to slow scenes and repetitive ideas. It also misses the mark in capturing the 1990s setting. Without the title, viewers might struggle to place the story in this decade, as clothing is too fitted for the period, hairstyles are not reflective of the era, and other details lack historical accuracy. Additionally, the plane passengers’ performances feel unnatural for a hijacking scenario; their expressions lack urgency and the expected tension; they can pass for viewers of tragic movie than victims of a life-threatening event.
Jessica Lorraine’s portrayal of Marie falls flat, with her character lacking the depth and emotion necessary for the high-stakes situation. The characters’ backgrounds, while touched on, feel disconnected from their actions and nicknames. The screenplay by Musa Jeffrey David, although strong in some dialogue, does not reach the high standard of his earlier work, such as Blood Vessel.
Minor historical inaccuracies also detract from the film’s authenticity. For instance, the inconsistent military uniforms (featuring a mix of American, outdated Etisalat, and 2014/current Nigerian army camouflages) break continuity, as does the use of a color TV when black-and-white was more typical in that era. NNC as a TV station leaves a question mark.
Overall, Hijack ’93 offers an interesting, albeit flawed, addition to Nollywood’s repertoire by tackling a real-life hijacking. Although the film is not Robert Peters’ best directorial work or Musa Jeffrey’s strongest script, it represents a commendable attempt at a new genre for Nollywood. Rating: 3.5/10.
Reviewed by: Ibeh Abuchi Olinya
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