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Currently pursuing a film career with a passion for film journalism, storytelling of any kind has allowed me to let my imagination run wild in ways even I couldn’t predict. Expect me to write about film, TV, and the entertainment industry.
Sisu may not be the most emotionally compelling film of 2023 or the best action film for that matter. However, it cherishes and executes its premise with joy and great violence.
Lionsgate is having quite a solid year thus far with John Wick: Chapter 4 being the highest-grossing film of the series. Mocked for looking like a straight-to-DVD movie, the franchise proved to become a hit for the studio. Now, Lionsgate is hoping to catch lightning in a bottle twice with their World War II action flick, Sisu.
The Plot
With World War II nearly ending, former soldier Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila, On Thin Ice) discovers gold in Lapland, Finland. He encounters a group of Nazis on his way to a bank to attempt to cash in the gold. They try to steal his findings while keeping female prisoners from the last town they destroyed.
Sisu’s narrative is as straightforward as one can get. The film starts with an unnecessary voice-over narrating the state of the world. This feels out of place and seems like the movie doesn’t have faith in audiences naturally understanding the plot. Once Aatami crosses paths with the Nazis, though, the action never stops and manages to maintain its high-octane tension.
A Golden Time Killing Nazis
Writer/director Jalmari Helander delivers a tight 90-minute on-the-road revenge flick. He captures an almost slasher-like sensation from our antagonists’ perspective. Fight choreographer Oula Kitti and Helander come up with inventive ways to stage scenarios where Aatami can easily take down Nazis.
Helander takes small-scale action and makes it feel large. From underwater set pieces to a field of explosive mines, there’s always something that keeps you engaged and at the edge of your seat. The action might not be as kinetic as what you would normally see in a John Wick or Mission: Impossible, although it remains fun. Askel Hennie (The Martian) as Bruno is a key component to making the set pieces work here. He is the leader of the Nazi group and his constant fear and annoyance at Aatami’s actions sell the brutal kills.
The Miner, His Dog, and the Prisoners
Jorma Tommila as Aatami turns in some impressive work. His role lacks any kind of dialogue, forcing him to rely on his physicality. Tommila’s screen presence makes the film massively entertaining, as you can never predict what will be his next move. This makes set pieces more fun since the movie manages to get genuine reactions from its audience anytime Aatami cheats death.
Tommila is paired with a loyal companion in the form of a dog, just like Keanu Reeves in John Wick. This feels more like a gimmick rather than to help further our protagonist’s arc, or move the story forward. It doesn’t ruin the movie whatsoever though.
The supporting cast, alongside star Jorma Tommila, brings a sense of urgency to the screen. The actors portraying the Nazis attempt to bring personality to their characters, especially when they’re being viciously murdered. Then there are the female prisoners, led by Aino (Mimosa Willamo, Deadwind). The film almost forgets about them in its two acts, but they’ve got a fun role to play in the climax that’s extremely satisfying to watch.
Final Thoughts on Sisu
It is hard to picture anybody having Sisu in their favorites list for 2023 once the year is finished. That said though, Sisu stands out as a film that knows exactly what it is and it’s only concerned with one thing: entertaining. Jalmari Helander showcases he can execute his vision with great imagination, making him a name to watch for. It’s no masterclass in action filmmaking, but there’s a lot of fun to be had seeing an old man killing Nazis.
3.5/5 stars
Jalmari Helander’s Sisu is now playing in select theatres!
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Currently pursuing a film career with a passion for film journalism, storytelling of any kind has allowed me to let my imagination run wild in ways even I couldn’t predict. Expect me to write about film, TV, and the entertainment industry.
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