Movie Review: Up North is Mildly recommended by Cinemapointer

As much as we so much wanted to love ‘Up North’, sadly it turned out to be lukewarm and sterile. A perfect case study of over promising and under delivering. The problem? ‘Up North’ is in too much of a hurry.

It is hellish fast. They packed so much into ninety seven minutes that, to accommodate everything, they left ‘Up North’ at the mercy of a brutish butchering editor, who in turn; literally butchered the “life” out of it. Butchered it to the extent that ‘Up North’ is left without teeth to bite: Moves so fast, viewers are unable to take in scenes enough to fall in love. It was a massacre!

In the end, what we are left with is a dismal offering that succeeds less at exciting its audience and more at being a tourism exposé for Bauchi State. The Government of Bauchi State must have ponied up handsomely for the privilege- Even the “real life” Governor of the state made an appearance. Now, don’t get us wrong. It is not our intent to knock Bauchi State, the Governor or the great people of Bauchi State. On the contrary; together, they are perhaps the only aspect of ‘Up North’ worth any real praise. Bauchi State is the best “actor” in ‘Up North’.

Beautiful State. Beautiful people. Beautiful culture. Honestly, were it not for them, this humble review ought to have begun with a “Not” rather than “mildly”.

Synopsis: “Up North” explores love, friendship and family politics, all of which collide, creating memories to last a lifetime. It tells the story of a young rebellious heir (Banky W) who gets sent to Bauchi for his NYSC assignment as a punishment for defying his father. (Written by SilverBird Cinemas)

Starring: Banky Wellington, Ibrahim Suleiman, Kanayo O Kanayo, Michelle Dede, Adesua Etomi, Akin Lewis, Rahama Sadau, Hilda Dokubo, Tokunbo Idowu (tBoss).