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 hunt is on.

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK Finland Germany

Language:

English Finnish

Release Date:

26 June 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Big Game - Caccia al presidente

Filming Locations:

Bavaria, Germany

Box Office

Budget:

€8,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$16,909, 28 June 2015, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$16,909, 28 June 2015

Company Credits

Production Co:

Subzero Film Entertainment, Altitude Film Entertainment, Egoli Tossell Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 85 min (PG-13)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (ACES)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Several of the Finnish actors in this movie were also in another Jalmari Helander film, Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010).

---

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

Oskari: [to the President] My forest, my rules. Sit in the back.

---

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

Sit Back. Relax. Enjoy the show.

Finnish director Jalmari Helander's action-adventure throwback to the 80's and 90's, Big Game is a hugely enjoyable film for all ages.

When Air Force One is shot down by terrorists leaving the President of the United States William Allan Moore (Samuel L. Jackson) stranded in the wilderness of Finland, there is only one person around who can save him: a 13-year-old boy called Oskari (Onni Tommila), who is coincidentally in the forest to prove his transition from a child to a teenager by hunting down a deer and showing it to his kinsfolk. Of course, under the circumstances, the two characters meet.

What follows is an entertaining if preposterous and campy action film complete with mega explosions & wide panning shots and plenty of character moments too, particularly in the comparatively slow first half.

The pairing between Onni Tommila and Samuel L. Jackson is deftly handled, with both characters complementing each other through witty banter, strong action chemistry and motivational tales.

The villains are campy, over-the-top and fun to watch. However, one thing that doesn't work is the political drama/backstabbing in the Pentagon, which ends up feeling unnecessary and needlessly convoluted.

Overall, while the action tends towards the preposterous, Big Game charms and beguiles for a satisfying movie experience.