Review: "Sisu"
A simple, fast-paced thrill ride that runs with its John Wick-esque premise.
Jorma Tommila as vengeful prospector Aatami Korpi in WWII action flick “Sisu.” (Lionsgate)
Given how audiences are enjoying John Wick mania thanks to its newest sequel and the upcoming spin-off Ballerina coming next year, it’s only fitting that Lionsgate would capitalize on that craze by releasing Sisu which is very much in the vein of John Wick right down to our protagonist being a dog person, but set in WWII and with lots of Nazi fighting.
The premise is literally as simple as that: John Wick but with Nazis. Yet, it still just runs with it. As Finnish prospector Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila) crosses paths with a group of a Nazi soldiers who steal his gold, he goes on a vengeful, blood-filled quest to retrieve it back. By acting alone with only his strength and battle maneuvering to rely on, Aatami fully embodies what the phrase “sisu” means: “A white-knuckled form of courage and unimaginable determination in the face of overwhelming odds.”
Within the first ten minutes, our hero’s quest is immediately set in motion and doesn’t let up until the absolute very end. What follows after is one can want from a simple actioner such as this (i.e. hand-to-hand combat, explosions, etc..) along with some tenuous commentary on greed and corruption.
Besides being generally sadistic, Bruno (Aksel Hennie), the head of the Nazi soldier unit, is also motivated to torment and steal pieces of gold from a strange, seemingly harmless old man as a means to win WWII as it reaches its final days. Bruno is warned by his subordinates and their female captives to cease their pursuit of Aatami due to Aatami’s history as a reported “one-man death squad” during the Winter War against the Russians. Yet, Bruno remains instigated by his relentlessness.
Along with the exposition about Aatami’s army past from those on his trail, the occasional sounds in Aatami’s head of people screaming meant to illustrate the trauma of his war times etch out enough of a backstory for our wordless hero. Little moments like that show how, despite being a man of sheer physical force who’ll ensure every mission he’s on is fulfilled, he’s not completely superhuman or immune to emotional vulnerability.
In various ways, Aatami is like John Wick in a film that should easily please those that love the John Wick series. Its story is fairly simple and, although lead actor Jorma Tommila is a quietly commanding screen presence as Aatami, it’s not as much of a performance or script showcase as it is a technical one. But it’s still a fast-paced thrill ride where viewers know exactly what they’re getting as they head in the theater. Go in, turn your brain off for 90 minutes, and you won’t be disappointed.
Grade: B+