THE SHORT: If you like somewhat slow-paced but graphically satisfying violence under 2 hours, you can't go wrong with this stunning surprise!
THE LONG (SPOILERS): First the "bad" elements. But again, trying to nit-pick anything "wrong" with this film is almost impossible.
1) I personally would have preferred it be released in it's "original" language... But I gather Nazis didn't speak much Finnish between themselves, right?
2) Following through with comment #1, a few of the secondary actors did look more Finnish than German, but you work with what you got, right?
Sisu came to me at a very specific part of my weeknight viewing experience. First I have been pulling double shifts for close to 3 months now, exhausted and depressed, but that's besides the point.
On weeknights we try to watch short entertainment because I do not have a lot of "endurance" and tend to pass out (remember: exhaustion) by the time some people finish their dinner.
My wife was looking for a short film (i.e. 90 minutes or so) because I had actually finished working "early" and our limited "free" time slot permitted the viewing of a short film.
As soon as I read the short blurb about the film's premise, I said to her "let's go, right now".
As previously mentioned, the pace is somewhat slow...ish. At least at first, and of course considering the ADHD generation we live in right now where films must start with a huge explosion ("with smoke, rising up to the sky!..") within 30 seconds or the audience loses interest.
The picture starts off very much like a modern western in terms of aesthetic and presentation of the main character, the area/surroundings and what the tone/atmosphere of the film is going to be. Thus said, if you find yourself bored after the first 5 minutes, chances are you won't enjoy the first 15-20 minutes of the film.
However the pacing is necessary in order to get a feel for our main character - a loner who goes about his business without interaction with anyone save for his trusty companions (a dog and a horse).
Things do pick up quite rapidly when our protagonist crosses paths with the antagonist Nazis. First it's a small convoy of fatigued troops in one carrier, the other truck holding "hostages" (read: female prisoners used to... "entertain"... the male soldiers), a tank holding our main officer and his brutish assistant as well as the driver/pilot.
When our "anti-hero" next passes a smaller convoy of Nazis who do decide to rob him of his findings and attempt to kill him, the action really picks up in a most violent and graphic way...
... and dare I say quite satisfyingly so!
The violence is well made and quite "juicy", as well as painful for those of us who have some kind of empathy for pain. I won't give out too many details but suffice it to say that if you are craving such (violence, blood and pain), this film will deliver the goods.
However this isn't another Tarantino knock-off nor a no-brainer action chase and beat-em-up flick. This one has style, depth, and great acting from all around, especially lead Jorma Tommila who doesn't utter a single word until the very last frame of the film.
Aksel Hennie is also quite noteworthy as he doesn't ham-up his performance in the least even though his character could very well have been potrayed as a parody of itself. He brings his own brand of stoic yet revealing personality to the character.
Similarly with the case of Jack Doolan, who'se charcterization of his role could have been much more over-the-top (especially after the way he is introduced) but who manages to keep the role realistic.
Alas, Mimosa Willamo who is the only real "lead" out of the truck full of "prisoners", unfortunately doesn't have a bigger role, but she makes every single frame she is in count, and again brings a level of professionalism to the production. It's a small but darn fine role nonetheless!
The score byJuri Seppä and Tuomas Wäinölä is refreshingly (mostly) unpredictable and brings us music which instills images of Norse Gods and pillaging vikings (for lack of a better description). Full disclosure: I am a total snob and VERY difficult with film scores and very rarely does one ever stand out. That being said, this score does have some "brass ones" to it without ever playing the cheap stereotypes while simultaneously remaining accessible for those not quite into the experimental scores sometimes associated with non-American productions.
Special note to the sound and production design who have made an absolutely pristine job at re-creating what a WWII environment must have been like in the environment of Sisu's main location. I myself immediately noticed how the bomber planes flying overland would create a veritable cacaphonic and loud series of drones which would unstable-ize most terrestial lifeforms in the vicinity.
FINALLY (yeah I am a wind bag, deal with it), as I write this on Febuary 13 2024, this is my favorite film seen this year, and a most deffinately re-watch and buy (if it ever gets a physical release that is). While maybe not a film for the whole family (far from it) and not something you'd watch ever XX weeks, this is one of those rare little gems which succeeds at what it sets out to do, and doesn't go overboard nor turns itself onto a mockery. Violent and graphic, yes, but with a good heart, a fine story, and excellent production and acting.
THE LONG (SPOILERS): First the "bad" elements. But again, trying to nit-pick anything "wrong" with this film is almost impossible.
1) I personally would have preferred it be released in it's "original" language... But I gather Nazis didn't speak much Finnish between themselves, right?
2) Following through with comment #1, a few of the secondary actors did look more Finnish than German, but you work with what you got, right?
Sisu came to me at a very specific part of my weeknight viewing experience. First I have been pulling double shifts for close to 3 months now, exhausted and depressed, but that's besides the point.
On weeknights we try to watch short entertainment because I do not have a lot of "endurance" and tend to pass out (remember: exhaustion) by the time some people finish their dinner.
My wife was looking for a short film (i.e. 90 minutes or so) because I had actually finished working "early" and our limited "free" time slot permitted the viewing of a short film.
As soon as I read the short blurb about the film's premise, I said to her "let's go, right now".
As previously mentioned, the pace is somewhat slow...ish. At least at first, and of course considering the ADHD generation we live in right now where films must start with a huge explosion ("with smoke, rising up to the sky!..") within 30 seconds or the audience loses interest.
The picture starts off very much like a modern western in terms of aesthetic and presentation of the main character, the area/surroundings and what the tone/atmosphere of the film is going to be. Thus said, if you find yourself bored after the first 5 minutes, chances are you won't enjoy the first 15-20 minutes of the film.
However the pacing is necessary in order to get a feel for our main character - a loner who goes about his business without interaction with anyone save for his trusty companions (a dog and a horse).
Things do pick up quite rapidly when our protagonist crosses paths with the antagonist Nazis. First it's a small convoy of fatigued troops in one carrier, the other truck holding "hostages" (read: female prisoners used to... "entertain"... the male soldiers), a tank holding our main officer and his brutish assistant as well as the driver/pilot.
When our "anti-hero" next passes a smaller convoy of Nazis who do decide to rob him of his findings and attempt to kill him, the action really picks up in a most violent and graphic way...
... and dare I say quite satisfyingly so!
The violence is well made and quite "juicy", as well as painful for those of us who have some kind of empathy for pain. I won't give out too many details but suffice it to say that if you are craving such (violence, blood and pain), this film will deliver the goods.
However this isn't another Tarantino knock-off nor a no-brainer action chase and beat-em-up flick. This one has style, depth, and great acting from all around, especially lead Jorma Tommila who doesn't utter a single word until the very last frame of the film.
Aksel Hennie is also quite noteworthy as he doesn't ham-up his performance in the least even though his character could very well have been potrayed as a parody of itself. He brings his own brand of stoic yet revealing personality to the character.
Similarly with the case of Jack Doolan, who'se charcterization of his role could have been much more over-the-top (especially after the way he is introduced) but who manages to keep the role realistic.
Alas, Mimosa Willamo who is the only real "lead" out of the truck full of "prisoners", unfortunately doesn't have a bigger role, but she makes every single frame she is in count, and again brings a level of professionalism to the production. It's a small but darn fine role nonetheless!
The score byJuri Seppä and Tuomas Wäinölä is refreshingly (mostly) unpredictable and brings us music which instills images of Norse Gods and pillaging vikings (for lack of a better description). Full disclosure: I am a total snob and VERY difficult with film scores and very rarely does one ever stand out. That being said, this score does have some "brass ones" to it without ever playing the cheap stereotypes while simultaneously remaining accessible for those not quite into the experimental scores sometimes associated with non-American productions.
Special note to the sound and production design who have made an absolutely pristine job at re-creating what a WWII environment must have been like in the environment of Sisu's main location. I myself immediately noticed how the bomber planes flying overland would create a veritable cacaphonic and loud series of drones which would unstable-ize most terrestial lifeforms in the vicinity.
FINALLY (yeah I am a wind bag, deal with it), as I write this on Febuary 13 2024, this is my favorite film seen this year, and a most deffinately re-watch and buy (if it ever gets a physical release that is). While maybe not a film for the whole family (far from it) and not something you'd watch ever XX weeks, this is one of those rare little gems which succeeds at what it sets out to do, and doesn't go overboard nor turns itself onto a mockery. Violent and graphic, yes, but with a good heart, a fine story, and excellent production and acting.
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