Review for ‘‘L' Axe Lourd’’ by Dr. Nkeng Stephens
One wouldn't be able to tell L' Axe Lourd - The HighWay - was Dr. Nkeng Stephen’s first attempt at a feature-length film.Truly a modern epic in scope, plot and production, as well as in its weaving of afro-futurist elements and cameroonian identity in the narrative.
An intricate, high-lethality, high-stakes heist movie at the surface, L' Axe Lourd touches on themes of betrayal, corruption, loyalty, redemption, rebellion, as well as the heritage of colonialism and the lost autonomy of west african peoples. On the ground, the film features an explosive mix of gunplay, martial arts, and other forms of brutal and dramatic action, which is for the most part cleanly shot and framed, never flinching from the violence and adrenaline-filled setpieces that help underline the protagonists' struggle in the film's unfair world. A colorful cast of characters from diverse walks of life breathes life into an otherwise formulaic plot, and the humor is well-placed and spaced out.
If L'Axe Lourd is one thing, that is visually stunning. Everything from the lighting to the editing, the wide shots, the great, saturated colors and the detailed costumes all factor into the film's crisp esthetic and production quality that lacks nothing in comparison to productions from big, established western and eastern studios. The special effects are also subtly incorporated, the film is steeped in military and business fashion that gives it a distinct air between the great spy and heist movies of western productions and the local, west african flavor.
In conclusion, though its plot is linear and somewhat predictable, everything else about L' Axe Lourd screams quality, passion for filmmaking and an effective and coordinated team. Finally, the surprise mix of animation into the live-action feature deserves a special mention, and all in all we're excited for the future of Dr. Nkeng Stephens and his Cameroon Phase of Entertainment Ltd and hope to see even crazier and more high-concept films out of them.
