The Finnish action phenomenon Sisu roars back to life with its highly anticipated sequel, Sisu: Road to Revenge, proving that the original was no mere one-hit wonder. Director Jalmari Helander once again demonstrates his mastery of pure, unadulterated cinema, delivering a follow-up that feels both familiar and thrillingly expansive, all while keeping its runtime under 90 minutes.
From Nazis to the Red Army
Having decisively dealt with a platoon of Nazis in the first film, the indomitable Finnish prospector Aatami, portrayed with grizzled intensity by Jorma Tommila, now faces a tragic backstory and a formidable new adversary. His opponent this time is the tremendously named Red Army butcher Igor Draganov, brought to life by the wily Stephen Lang, a favourite of director James Cameron. The stage is set for a brutal confrontation in the back roads of Soviet-occupied Finland.
Helander's Economical and Thrilling Approach
The economy of Helander's filmmaking remains striking and effective. The director wastes no time with unnecessary exposition, cutting directly to the chase. Audiences are treated to one scene of Aatami meticulously dismantling his family home, beam by beam, and another of Draganov's jailbreak before their paths violently intersect. This lean narrative approach grants Helander ample room to craft spectacular set pieces where Aatami consistently outthinks and outflanks the might of the Red Army.
This is very much a more-of-the-same sequel, but the good news is that the formula remains terrific. The film is packed with punchy, old-school stunt work and crisply uncluttered editing. The baddie-splattering is as inventive as ever, exemplified by the moment Aatami uses one of the salvaged wooden beams to take down a low-flying jet fighter—a testament to the film's delightfully absurd and creative action.
A Boyish Enthusiasm in a Gorgeous Landscape
Helander clearly revels in his homeland's stunning, sun-dappled scenery, framing the relentless action against a beautiful Finnish backdrop. His direction carries the boyish enthusiasm of a child playing war games in the woods, lending the film a contagious energy. While the action can be cartoonish—watch out for a regrettably misplaced mousetrap gag—the comic-strip simplicity stands as a welcome rebuke to today's often knottier, over-complicated blockbusters.
The film powerfully demonstrates that you don't need excessive CGI when you have practical special effects as potently compelling as Tommila's bloodied, defiant face. The script is also full of graceful touches; the beams from Aatami's former home evolve from a simple memento into a life raft and, ultimately, a symbol of a new beginning.
Like his resilient protagonist, Helander holds on to what is essential, torches the rest, and creates a film that is all the stronger, faster, and more impactful for it. Sisu: Road to Revenge is scheduled for release on 20 November in Australia, and on 21 November in the UK and US.
