Sisu: Road to Revenge - The Ultimate Action Fan's Delight

Unleashing Unadulterated Action: A Masterpiece for Genre Aficionados

The Irresistible Allure of 'Sisu: Road to Revenge'

Years ago, a friend, engrossed in 'The Wire,' posed a compelling question: 'What would your adversaries exploit to craft the ultimate snare for you?' This thought resurfaced vividly while watching Jalmari Helander's 'Sisu: Road to Revenge,' the successor to his minimalist 2022 retribution saga. The movie embodies pure, undiluted genre appeal. Display 'Road to Revenge' in a public setting, and you could ensnare countless action cinema devotees.

A Saga of Silence and Bloodshed Continues

Mirroring its predecessor, 'Road to Revenge' is marked by minimal dialogue and an abundance of justifiable, intense conflict. The original 'Sisu,' set in 1944, depicted a hardened Finnish military veteran, Aatami Korpi (portrayed by Jorma Tommila), relentlessly battling Nazis who pilfered his diligently mined gold. In 'Road to Revenge,' set in 1946, Aatami returns to his rustic abode in a region of Finland ceded to the USSR. He meticulously dismantles his dwelling, attempting to transport the materials across the newly established border to unoccupied Finland. However, he encounters fierce resistance from the brutal Red Army officer, Igor Draganov (Stephen Lang), who is under orders to track down and eliminate the formidable figure responsible for decimating the Red Army during the three-month Winter War. Draganov had personally orchestrated the brutal purge of Finnish locals, leading to the deaths of Aatami's wife and children, providing Aatami with a deeply personal motive for retaliation. Yet, this additional layer of motivation seems almost superfluous; 'Road to Revenge' already possesses every necessary element. It features a simple man with a profound, non-simple objective. His inherent goodness is evident, primarily through his loyal canine companion and a cherished photograph of his deceased family. Moreover, the fear and animosity he inspires in nefarious individuals further solidify his hero status. He yearns for his home, but his home no longer exists as he remembers it, compelling him to rectify the situation.

The Escalating Conflict and Unyielding Determination

The malevolent forces relentlessly pursue Aatami in escalating waves, reminiscent of a video game, naturally segmenting the film into six chapters. In each chapter, he confronts and vanquishes his adversaries, enduring increasingly agonizing injuries en route to the inevitable climactic showdown. Draganov delivers impassioned speeches, while Aatami remains entirely silent. Numerous objects spectacularly explode in surprising and exhilarating fashion. Much of 'Road to Revenge' exhibits a serious yet subtly absurd quality. This stems partly from Aatami's astonishing ability to withstand extensive damage without surrendering. ('Sisu,' as explained in introductory text in both films, is an untranslatable Finnish concept denoting 'a fierce courage and boundless resolve.') It also arises from the ingenious yet improbable methods he employs to dispatch his pursuers. He possesses a truck and his bare hands, while they wield firearms, explosives, motorcycles, body armor, bomb-laden aircraft, and more. Furthermore, Aatami's ambition to relocate an entire house across miles of occupied territory is both idealistic and slightly comical. Preventing the Soviets from seizing anything dear to him is clearly paramount for Aatami, yet the image of him struggling to safeguard a rickety truck laden with timber never loses its touch of silliness. Even Lang's overtly villainous portrayal feels somewhat theatrical.

A Testament to Uncompromising Action Filmmaking

However, the narrative's extreme simplicity imbues 'Sisu: Road to Revenge' with a potency that harks back to films like the original 'John Wick,' John Rambo in 'First Blood' (a recognized inspiration for Helander, who is now slated to direct a Rambo prequel), and classics such as 'Point Blank' preceding them. 'I endeavor to keep things as straightforward as possible,' Helander shared in an interview at Fantastic Fest in Austin, where the film captivated an enthusiastic audience of genre enthusiasts during its vibrant world premiere. As in 'Sisu,' this film lacks intricate character development, moral ambiguities, or profound explorations of trauma or conflicted metaphors about contemporary society. It presents a clear hero and a multitude of largely anonymous antagonists, embodying humanity's most irrational, oppressive, and malevolent aspects. The villains meet cathartic, often implausible, but consistently gratifying demises. Nothing here is intended to linger beyond the surge of adrenaline when a speeding motorcycle encounters a grenade in its wheel, improbably hurtles skyward, and explodes. This is not a film to ponder deeply afterward. It is a raw, gritty, and frequently grotesque manifestation of a sugar-rush high. Consequently, it is a film tailored for specific audiences. Viewers prioritizing character depth over spectacle will find it tedious; those who favor the realism of expertly choreographed athletic feats will be disappointed. And that is perfectly acceptable. 'Sisu: Road to Revenge' is not designed to ensnare their particular sensibilities. This film excels at one thing, employing methods that escalate to almost cartoonish proportions. And it is unmistakably evident in every grim, gory, and visceral scene that Helander and Tommila precisely understand their target audience for this cinematic creation.

Anticipating the Theatrical Release

The highly anticipated action film, 'Sisu: Road to Revenge,' is scheduled to hit theaters on November 21st, promising audiences a thrilling and relentless cinematic experience.