My Review of "Sisu"

Sisu is a ridiculous action movie that came out in 2022. It's so over the top that it is at times very cartoonish. That's what a lot of us are kind of looking for with action movies though. If you're a fan of the John Wick movies then this movie is right up your alley. In some ways it's very similar to that franchise but set in a different time period and location.

This movie starts out by explaining what Sisu even means. Basically it's a Finnish word for determination. We then jump into the tail end of World War 2 in Finland. Nazi Germans have taken over many of their towns. They are pillaging these towns and taking their women for sex slaves.

Meanwhile, there's a man by the name of Aatami who is digging for gold. He seems to be oblivious of the war despite the massive explosions he hears in the distant background. On this particular day he strikes it rich. There seems to be some sort of huge gold deposit that he discovers and he freaks out. He's able to dig up this massive pile of gold and saddle it up on his trusty horse.

As he's traveling back to his hometown he encounters some Nazi's but they don't bother messing with him because they don't see him as a threat. They basically ransacked the town and killed everyone. What's one man going to do to them? This is their greatest mistake.

When Aatami finally arrives to his hometown he discovers it is in rubbles as the Nazi's have totally destroyed it. Even worse some lingering soldiers have discovered that he has gold on him. Little do they know. Aatami is none other than a mythical veteran that they tell stories about. They're about to find out that they've messed with the wrong guy.

Pretty soon we have utter chaos and Aatami is killing soldiers everywhere. At times it becomes a horror movie on the other side. Instead, we have the perspective of the monster and the soldiers are the victims. I have to admit that it is quite entertaining when it gets to this point. It's like you're playing a game on easy mode.

Each of the action sequences are quite over the top and really fun. It's a little different from what you're used to because it's based in the 1940s. The technology is limited and Aatami has to make due with what he has available. Although there are guns and explosions, he does a lot of vicious hand to hand combat. There are a few traps he has to set up as well.

I have to admit some of the sequences are a bit on the predictable side. Perhaps it's the fact that I've seen so many of these types of movies that they have a logical sequential order. Still this is a genre where you don't really want to think. You just want to be entertained and wowed by the violence. Though some of the wow gets ripped away with some predictive situations.

Story wise, it's not much. There's your standard revenge or don't mess with this guy kind of story. Really they don't need much of a story as this movie should be about spectacle and not substance. Sometimes, you have a hard day and that's all you want to watch. So if you're looking for a mindless action movie this is a great one to check out.

Overall, I had a really good time with this one. It was beautifully shot and nicely paced. I had my mind totally shut off to enjoy this and enjoy it I did. I have to recommend to any action fan out there. I'm not exactly sure if I'd rewatch this one though. I have to give it a 6 out of 10.