Big Game (2014)

A young teenager camping in the woods helps rescue the President of the United States when Air Force One is shot down near his campsite.

Director:

Jalmari Helander

Writers:

Jalmari Helander (screenplay by), Jalmari Helander (based on the original story by)

Stars:

Samuel L. Jackson, Onni Tommila, Ray Stevenson

1 win & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Samuel L. Jackson	...	US President William Alan Moore
Onni Tommila	...	Oskari
Ray Stevenson	...	Morris
Victor Garber	...	Vice President
Mehmet Kurtulus	...	Hazar
Ted Levine	...	General Underwood
Jorma Tommila	...	Tapio
Risto Salmi	...	Hamara
Felicity Huffman	...	CIA Director
Jim Broadbent	...	Herbert
Rauno Juvonen	...	Safari Pilot
Jaymes Butler	...	Otis
Jason Steffan	...	Dexter / Navy Seal 2
Jean-Luc Julien	...	Clay
Erik Markus Schuetz	...	Stanley

Storyline

When Air Force One is shot down by terrorists leaving the President of the United States stranded in the wilderness, there is only one person around who can save him - a 13-year old boy called Oskari. In the forest on a hunting mission to prove his maturity to his kinsfolk, Oskari had been planning to track down a deer, but instead discovers the most powerful man on the planet in an escape pod. With the terrorists closing in to capture their own "Big Game" prize, the unlikely duo must team up to escape their hunters. As anxious Pentagon officials observe the action via satellite feed, it is up to the President and his new side-kick to prove themselves and survive the most extraordinary 24 hours of their lives.

---

Plot Keywords:

president | air force one | escape pod | wilderness | airplane crash | 

---

Taglines:

The President has one small chance of survival.

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG - 13 for sequences of intense action and violence, and some language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The adventures in the wilderness take place in Finnish Lapland, but the outdoor footage in the film, is actually from the Alps. In Writer and Director Jalmari Helander's opinion, the real Lapland locations did not suit his image of what the scenery should look like.

---

Goofs

When the boy shakes hands with his father, from one camera angle he uses his right hand but when the angle changes they shake left hands.

---

Quotes

US President William Alan Moore: Where are my soldiers? I'm the commander of the biggest, baddest, ass-kicking armed force on the planet! Why aren't they scouring this wilderness trying to rescue me?

---

Crazy Credits

The end credits are interspersed with hunting photographs of Oskari and various hunting/trophy items.

---

Alternate Versions

For the UK theatrical release, the distributor sought and was given advice by the BBFC on how to secure a 12A certificate. Following this advice, a single use of the word 'motherfucker' was partially obscured and the film was classified 12A. The home video release was uncut and received a 15 rating.

---

Connections

Featured in Last Chance U: Most Dangerous Game (2016)

User Reviews

While it may seem ludicrous at times, Big Game catches the audience's interest with hearty humor and lively visual.

Adding to the series of recent movies involving President of The United States being in peril, Big Game is also presenting a quirky and amusing angle on the premise. Having more action than expected and lightly humorous, it hits on the right spot with just the right amount of casual fun. Some of the scenes are ridiculous, though the strange duo and witty material will be an accessible delight for audience.

Story follows The President of Unites States (Samuel L. Jackson) and an ordinary Finnish boy Oskari (Onni Tommila) who is undergoing traditional coming of age ritual. Oskari must prove himself by hunting a game from the forest, but a strange encounter with The President will distract him from his goal. This may be the weirdest duo of buddy action flick, but at this point Samuel L. Jackson could probably deliver any bizarre character asked of him.

The President is not the usual action character, in fact compared to the pursuers he is largely outclassed. It's a playful personality with more emphasis on comedy than his usual brash attitude, although the film doesn't deprive audience from his trademark mockery. Oskari is also far from a secret service agent, he's just a young boy and eager to prove himself.

The large difference on both characters play to their advantage in creating a few chuckles. Some other notable names for the supporting cast such as Victor Garber and Ray Stevenson also are appreciated. Casting isn't far from their usual roles, and they adequately presentable here.

Script is pretty good, the jokes are spot-on without being overly crude. The film has light-hearted vibe, engaging on simple theme fitting for a family movie. Visual is unexpectedly vibrant. There are several moments worthy of any action movies. These few high octane shots balance the silly antics. Its foreign setting creates a more refreshing outlook than the usual city environment of the genre, it's definitely a better view than being confined in White House again.

Visually fresh and charmingly witty, Big Game is a simple yet entertaining action comedy.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

Finland UK Germany

Language:

English Finnish

Release Date:

26 June 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Big Game

Filming Locations:

Bavaria, Germany

Box Office

Budget:

EUR8,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$16,909, 28 June 2015

Gross USA:

$24,752

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,455,398

Company Credits

Production Co:

Subzero Film Entertainment, Altitude Film Entertainment, Egoli Tossell Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 85 min (PG-13)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (ACES)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1