Title: Sisu
MPA Rating: R
Director: Jelmari Helander
Starring: Jorma Tommila, Aksel Hennie, Jack Doolan
Runtime: 1 hr 31 mins
What It Is: An old ex-soldier (Tommila) discovers gold in the Lapland wilderness. All he wants is to get it to the city and trade it for cold hard cash. When some Nazi soldiers discover he has this gold they are determined to take it in the name of the Third Reich and it’s notorious and nefarious leader. Only problem for these Nazis is that this solider will not go gently into that good night and have his found property stolen from him. Not without fighting every step of the way.
What We Think: Good ole fashion violence on screen. This is such a fun film and watching Nazis being turned into paste is a cathartic experience. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a film like this existing. The lack of dialogue makes the silent protagonist thing work fairly well. The villains being who they are makes it easy to root for our hero. Seeing them dispatched…in all the over the top violent glory is rather satisfying. The unique way he takes care of these batches of goons is so hilarious you’re having a ball the whole time.
Our Grade: B-, This is definitely something that will polarize audiences who don’t enjoy over the top violence. For me though…it was an absolute ball. I had a great time and couldn’t wait to see the bad guys try, and try to take out this old man who they perceive isn’t a threat and ends up being the biggest threat to the Nazi army that Finland could muster. Lessons were learned don’t try to take an old mans gold unless you’re ready for a fight. Check this one out it is a baddass piece of action cinema.