SISU (2022) Reviews of wild action movie

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‘Vengeance is golden’
Sisu is a 2022 Finnish action film about an ex-soldier who discovers gold in the Lapland wilderness but has to fight off German soldiers led by a brutal SS officer.

Written and directed by Jalmari Helander (Wingman series; Big Game; Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale). Produced by Petri Jokiranta.

The movie stars Jorma Tommila, Aksel Hennie, Jack Doolan, Mimosa Willamo and Onni Tommila.

Plot synopsis:
During the last desperate days of WWII, solitary prospector Aatami (Jorma Tommila) crosses paths with German Third Reich soldiers on a scorched-earth retreat in northern Finland. When the soldiers steal his gold, they quickly discover that they have just tangled with no ordinary miner.

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While there is no direct translation for the Finnish word “sisu”, this legendary ex-commando will embody what sisu means: a white-knuckled form of courage and unimaginable determination in the face of overwhelming odds. And no matter what the German soldiers throw at him, the one-man death squad will go to outrageous lengths to get his gold back – even if it means killing every last soldier in his path…

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Reviews:
“The action-packed film is a definite crowd-pleaser, but not for the squeamish. One can never guess what the prospector will do to his opponents — or even himself — as his quest for survival has no limits. He is clever, stealthy and resilient, never even considering running away or giving up. The odds are always stacked against him, but he finds a way to prevail in a manner that is often shocking and entertaining.” Digital Journal

“If you’re an action fan, this film is a must-watch as soon as it comes your way. It is worth the effort to find a way to watch it on the big screen with the volume UP. I seriously think this Aatami Korpi guy now rivals John Wick as one of the most badass, unkillable, formidable, tough-as-steel motherf*ckers in cinema. Need more of him because hell yes he absolutely owns!!” 9.5 out of 10, First Showing

“Light on dialogue but chock full of practically non-stop excitement and sporting more practical gore and make-up effects than many horror movies, Sisu is a cinematic rollercoaster ride from writer/director Jalmari Helander (Rare Exports [2010]; Big Game [2014]) that will have audiences cheering out loud…” Horror Fuel

” …Sisu offers audiences a gory, fun, and absurd piece of popcorn entertainment that will definitely find an audience. Helander plays to the strengths of his lead star and the creativity in the carnage allow it to truly reach its highest highs.” 75% Keith Loves Movies

“Helander does, for the most part, seem to be straining to fill the movie’s full-length running time (ie this often feels like a short that’s been awkwardly expanded to 91 minutes). The watchable yet riddled-with-lulls atmosphere is never quite as problematic as it could’ve been, at least, as Helander has punctuated the thin narrative with several outstanding (and crowd-pleasing) episodes and interludes…” 2.5 out of 4, Reel Film

“Helander doesn’t set out to rewrite the rulebook with Sisu and it’s refreshing to see a movie with comic-book-level violence done with his degree of craftsmanship. Sisu is arguably pretty hollow, but that lack of pretension sometimes works in its favor. It’s a robust, old-fashioned action movie with one good guy who takes down dozens of bad dudes…” RogerEbert.com

“There isn’t all that much plot and story-wise to Sisu, other than a “lone one-man army fights off against a squad of Nazis.” Jalmari Helander is very much going for a “Mad Max meet Rambo” aesthetic with Sisu, particularly the latter’s penchant for gory violence. The end result is a satisfying action film that should satisfy the audience’s bloodlust.” 4 out of 5, Sean Kelly on Movies

” …with copious amounts of overwrought slow motion and pensive stares into the void, and the result is an experience that comes across like a commercial for something greater, never living up to its full potential as a grindhouse World War II epic. Sisu is best summed up as fleetingly fun, completely failing to embody its titular concept of bravado in a satisfying way.” Tilt

“Helander’s latest remains impressive on its own terms thanks to its virtuosic patchwork style, but if you watch Sisu at home, your mind could wander to your bookshelves, where you’ll maybe find some of the filmmakers’ acknowledged influences, like Rambo: First Blood and Mad Max: Fury Road. Sisu will do, in a pinch, but it’s not fresh enough to warrant a second look.” The Wrap

Release:
Sisu premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film festival (TIFF) and was also screened at the Sitges Film Festival In the US, Lionsgate released Sisu theatrically on April 28, 2023.

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