“Sisu” (2023)

Sisu is a Finnish term that embodies resilience, determination, and perseverance in the face of adversity. It is an attitude that empowers individuals to overcome physical and mental challenges, enabling them to remain focused on their goals and push through adversity with courage and determination.

With this in mind, “Sisu” is a fitting title for the movie. The trailer promised a thrilling ride, and it delivered! Imagine an older John Wick thrown into “Inglorious Basterds,” and you get a glimpse of how insane and cool this film is.

The violence in this movie is on a level we haven’t seen in some time. However, what sets it apart is the character of Aatami Korpi, played to perfection by Jorma Tommila, the mythology created around him, and the graphic novel-style approach used to make every scene look cool.

This film draws inspiration from various sources, from Quentin Tarantino’s style to John Wick’s action choreography and even the “Wonder Woman” No Man’s Land scene. However, it is blended in a way that feels unique.

Jalmari Helander, the director of “Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale,” returns to form with “Sisu,” which will surely put him on the radar of many people. The cinematography by Kjell Lagerroos is brilliant, and some scenes, like the underwater one, are simply breathtaking.

The only drawback is the film’s last act, where they could have shown some restraint. The protagonist’s refusal to die and his subsequent actions were somewhat implausible, but taken to the extreme in the last act, but they still looked cool.

Overall, “Sisu” is an impressive film, and it becomes even more impressive when considering that it was made for only 6 million dollars. This makes us wonder where the money is going for some of the big Hollywood productions.

Additionally, the movie includes a girl power moment that is done right, taking a jab at Marvel for that “Endgame” scene lol.

Have you seen “Sisu”? What did you think of it?

What is your favourite “John Wick” style movie?