I'm a 38 year old Finnish man who went to see this in the movies with my 70 year old dad. The last movie we saw together was the Matrix. After this one, we just looked at each other and nodded...
I go to the movies with my dad sometimes. he's 77 years old, went to Vietnam, fought in Biker gangs, and was a trucker for 40 years, so most of what comes out nowadays doesn't vibe with him. I took him to see this and he couldn't stop laughing and even did some cheering here and there. Come to think of it, so did a few other people in our showing. It was just a really nice experience to see everyone in the theatre being vocal and having fun, and its always nice to see dad kind of come alive so to speak. What a fun movie.
That's a good interpretation of the word *_SISU_* 😌👍 It's a special kind of mindset and view on life and death only the Finns have, the folk who are second to none in the world. I salute my brothers and sisters Suomesta with honour and respect Terveisiä Ruotsista 🇸🇪🤜🤛🇫🇮
This film brought to mind a story of my grandfather's father who in the (Finnish) Civil War was captured by the Communists and taken to a prison camp. He asked to go to the outhouse. While there, he lifted up the toilet "seat" and pushed the tower of frozen excrement off his way, crawling to freedom through the potty hole. Then ran back home. True sisu.
@@kingalton10 it was a bit more complicated This guy's great grandpa story happened in the Finnish Civil War, which went on at the same time of the Russian one, but ended with the Reds kicked out of Finland. In WW2 Finland was invaded by the USSR, then they allied with the Axis and pushed back in the Continuation War, and liberated Karelia and parts of its old borders. But as the tide of war swung around, Finland changed sides and started fighting the Germans out of their country in a conflict known as the Lapland War. The movie happens around this time
@@riograndedosulball248 Thanks.. I know embarrassingly little Finnish history, which I intend to rectify. I have been recently interested in it since the Russian/Ukrainian situation and they share a pretty big boarder.
simple result of trying to show a protagonist as powerful - the way to do it is to show it from a disempowered enemy's point of view which subtly makes you empathise with them and therefore see the hero as scary, you can see it in eg. a Fistful of Dollars where Clint Eastwood strides into town at the end with the Kurosawa frame and the bad guys are trying to shoot him and the armor he hid beneath his ponsho makes him seem immortal. John Wick obviously played with it very self-consciously - though this film's memey attempts to quote john wick came across forced and lame
It's a sign of the pendulum swinging. The westerns gave way to the roided 80s, then the 90s had their couples and family guys (Jurassic Park set the tone for all of the 90s disaster flicks with a fatherly figure), the 00s had their monsters with a human side (Spider-Man set the tone here, everyone was both evil and understandably relatable, as well as the Star Wars prequels turning Anakin/ Vader into a sympathetic villain, Blade, Hulk, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Lilo and Stitch...) and bromances leading to more intimate and engaging characters (blame Lord of the Rings and their personal relationships), followed up in the 10s by said monster men now needing to be cared for and exploring their emotions instead of just having them (Twilight, Hunger Games, The Dark Knight, and once again the relationships in the MCU). And now that we've reached peak masculine emotions and we're all sick of it, we're seeing a return to stoicism.
@@Undomaranel If movies accurately portrayed both men and women's emotions i would have no problem. Marvel in specific is treating all male characters like pathetic pussies and all female characters like undefeatable lions
@Keith D. Oh wow, my bad for not including every single male character spanning the last 40 years in a post describing the general shift in overall depicted masculinity... /s. Good for you in pointing out that not every character/ franchise followed the trends! Would you prefer head pats or a dog biscuit Vegeta style?
It's "Koschei", from a classic Russian folktale. An evil wizard who's undying because he's hidden his life outside his body - basically the prototype of the D&D Lich.
Sisu is basically the current culmination of what Jalmari Helander (the director) and Jorma Tommila (the main actor) have been doing together for about two decades now. From tiny indie short films to bigger (but still very indie) multi million productions, they all share these similar over the top qualities and Jorma Tommila's angry, brooding, juggernaut-like character. You should give them a watch, Drinker.
"Rare Exports" is just about my favourite movie, it finally gave me, at 55, a reason to look forward to Christmas every year: we watch it every Christmas Eve.
I think it all started from the original Rare Exports "advert", which was never ment to be very public, but was once (?) show on public TV in Finland and I remember seeing it almost from the beginning and going major WTF and sending an email to the TV broadcaster "What was that that I just saw and where can I find it!?" - the first "Rare Exports" was just brilliant.
Sisu might not change the whole film industry but it sure will revolutionize the finnish film industry thanks to its budget, box office and critical praise. As a Finn I'm still mindboggled how a FINNISH action film was a success especially overseas.
It's really cool to see it did so well in north america, exceeded projections even and turned a profit. Seems the director said he'd consider pursuing sequel if it did well in the US too. Funny considering this project only happened because covid threw a wrench into other projects lol
Yeah, you still see some actual roughness and masculine ruthlessness in action movies, but 80% of the cases it's just "haha, isn't it cool how we kill these helpless nazi Germans, those Germans were so evil and stupid, they turned people into lampshades and soap but they were also incompetent and on meth". Inglorious Basterds, Hunters, Fury, it's a new genre where the only manly toughness that is allowed is committing war crimes against ze Germans. Wake me up when there's a cool action movie with Skorzeny as the hero, there sure would be more than enough material to make it rememberable.
In Japan, there was a movie named "Re:born 2015", which had the similar character like Sisu. You guys should check it out en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Re:Born_(film)
My family heritage is Finnish. I named my first dog Sisu because she was tough and refused to die. She survived several issues that should have killed her but kept going. Heart disease finally took her at 13 years old. I’m excited to see this movie. I have a feeling my dog would be proud to share the same name as this film.
From one fellow pet lover and owner, belated but sincere condolences. I'm sure your friend was happy to have had you as their owner as they crossed over, and thankful to you for giving them such a kickass name.
My grandparents are Finnish descent, and the Sisu is real. My grandpa mined copper for 20 years while raising 5 kids in basically the woods. When the kids were grown, the mine shut down, so he moved and started building AC units for helicopters. Where’d he learn how to do that? Don’t know! Just fucking got after it. Was an absolute legend.
If you think about it the older generations didnt have choices like people of today and they had to apply logic to solve problems and then they had to do it themselves. They were mechanics,plumbers,electricians and all this was taught to them by their fathers or even self taught. I use to think too myself as a 40 year old that the previous generation were so much better than us at everything and my generation are useless, then you look at the current generations coming thru and realise we actually feel like the last gen that can change a light bulb and service your 2001 era car. We screwed because the people being born now will inherit a world of in balanced adult children who cant even decide if they like themselves because the world has gone soft on them.
My Dad was a Fin who's Dad married a tough lady in a tiny logging Oregon town. His birthdate was off by a day since his mom had him at home and took him to the doc the next day lol. He and my mom raised us in Cali but he worked his garden with his hands, made fences with branches just for fun and never complained about anything. Huge sliver under his fingernail? It would work itself out, he said. Quite yet fierce if anyone messed with his girls. Principled, God fearing and reliable as hell. We lost him to a brain tumor. It was my honor to become his caretaker and fierce patient advocate. He of course, still never complained, even at the end. I'm adopted so no Fin blood, but what a blessing to be raised by one. ❤
Lucky for you that you joined NATO now and there will be far more material to make movies about how you bravely at, 100% of you bnp, fight of the Russian, where Ukraine failed, you pulled it of. With soldiers like Sisu..
@@pietermoorer3679 No we mostly did it with a shitload of foreign material aid, terrain advantage, the assorted internal Soviet difficulties (the Red Army in '39-'40 was _shambles_ srsly) and being a seriously secondary concern in the late war. Factually surrendered on terms in both cases regardless of what nationalist historiography might want to tell you. And the jury's still out on Ukraine, Nostradamus.
What I liked about the character was that he lived away from everything, and all he had was himself and his search for gold. He had no reason or need for the gold since it was only him, his dog, and his horse. He was doing what he wanted to do, and when people came along and tried to take that simple desire away from him, he let them know that it was a mistake. In my opinion, the world needs more men with grit like the main character.
@@buckodonnghaile4309 America is full of men who are well past their physical prime, like Sisu, but are still more than willing to fight if they are pushed too far. Indeed, politicians who want to take away our rights and our way of life have much to fear.
Sisu is the unknown strength and determination we have that we tap into to carry ourselves through struggles and hardships. Can't wait to see this film.
@@managers6667 No, OP described it exactly right. Sisu is above all the necessary force of will you need to live a life of continual hardship. You need sisu just to survive the life our ancestors survived, here in the far north, where agriculture is just barely possible and the environment is unforgiving.
Sisu was one of the most enjoyable experiences I had in the movie theater this year. Its nice to see a film about human resilience and persistence without a character whining about victimhood and marginalization.
The lead actor, Jorma Tommila, really seems to have fun with his roles. He is also in a Christmas action film from 2010 called Rare Exports. The premise of that movie is that some international treasure hunter types come digging in Finland trying to find the remains of the mythological Santa Claus, which they do, but turns out Santa and his elves are ancient troll-like entities that kill people and eat children, and it's up to a group of local reindeer herders to stop them from getting free.
Sisu is also often used to describe Finlands Armed Forces. "Sisu is a unique Finnish concept. It is a Finnish term that can be roughly translated into English as strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity. Sisu is not momentary courage, but the ability to sustain that courage. It is a word that cannot be fully translated."
@@8numb160 Something people like to forget to mention nowadays is that the first-wave Red Army divisions that blundered in blind deaf and dumb and duly got encircled and ganked were _from_ Ukraine... Reason being Stalin had another of his paranoid episodes and decided troops raised from the NW districts (who would have, y'know, had some idea about how to fight in deep forests) could not be relied on to fight against their immediate next-door neighbours and ethnic kin, never mind ample evidence to the contrary from the idiotic Finnish land-grab attempts during the Russian Civil War, so he insisted they had to come from further afield.
This reminds me of a real life story of a Finnish soldier who literally got lost in the wild with his squad's supply of methamphetamines and went on a drug filled rampage that lasted several days against the soviets who ended up being afraid of him being some kind of a monster instead of a regular man.
Yep, he used the whole supply of pervitin (combat stims, literally meth as candy pills to ward off exhaustion and fear) meant for the whole company and went on a week long rampage, eating squirrels and whatnot to survive before waking up in one of the field hospitals with no clue what kind of trail of destruction he left behind. 🤣
ehh, personally I like more grounded action like in nobody or the first john wicks ngl. not that I hated this one, it was a great one, just not what I expected :D
I'm not going to lie, his motivation is so relatable. All of us want that one momment where you (in this case literally) strike gold. And if someone tries to take it away from you, you'd fight with everything you have to keep it.
Snag (2023) line: "I've never been that guy. Let me be that guy (that is the hero)." - side character tells main character while being scared as hell, still try and help his friend by providing cover fire for an injured friend. (something to that effect).
I think it's more than that. He is old and has probably had a hard life. He has worked hard for a long time to get to that point of discovering the gold, and just when his hard work finally pays, somebody wants to take it from him. It's not the gold they are taking, but the years of his life, the blood & sweat. Some people say that it's just stuff, why get upset about it. Those people most likely get allot of stuff easily with little effort. But when it takes allot of effort to get so little, and it represents time, pain, tiredness, sleeplessness, bearing insults, and you have had people take from you again, and again. Then there comes a point where you say enough. I deserve this. It belongs to me. I am not guilty of killing you over 'stuff'. You are choosing to die in the attempt to take away my life.
I'm Finnish and love that this masterpiece is getting such worldwide recognition. It is even better if you understand Finnish culture, which ties into some of the themes in the film, e.g. Aatami not talking at all until the very end is based on a Finnish stereotype of us being very quiet and reserved, and also of course understanding the concept of "Sisu".(which was explained perfectly in this video). Thank you Jordan for reviewing this film.
@@houndofculann1793 so... Sisu is understanding the concept of being reserved... when we travel to Finland, arriving at the stations (we travel by train), the Finnish are easily recognised when they hear a foreigner speak. They all flurry almost into the walls of the stations in hopes that they don't have to speak or even say "hello" to the "foreigners", even speaking their own language :D I do understand the language more than enough to know they speak about you as the "outsider", and if you react to that in Finnish, they don't understand you, and react to that as "stupid outsider is trying to speak Finnish". and you know what... I do like the FInnish people i know (basically family), i do REALLY like the food. But to say SISU is still in the FInnish folk... Nah, i have NEVER in the 30 years i come to Finland, seen SISU like this, nor the meaning of SISU. Hyvää Suomi :D and about the movie... yeah, i had a REALLY good time with it :D
We need a Finnish mythology based story of some kind, I know the Kalevala was a huge inspiration on The Lord Of The Rings & the Elvish language. Finns & Estonians get overshadowed too much in my opinion when it comes to History & art.
@@miniaturepainting Sisu has nothing to do with being reserved, what made you think of that? Stoicism, determination, hardiness and attitude are what makes sisu. So exactly what you see in the movie.
@@barfturd1607 Finnish and Estonian culture are really awesome, and their story is quite interesting and badass as well, looking forward to see more content about
Vacationing with my 86 year old dad, he saw an ad for this film. We got it and watched it 3 times in the last 7 days... Watching the Drinker review, I want to go for round 4 already! This is such a fun film. I never thought I'd be laughing about a guy getting hit in the head with a landmine, but there it is, and I laughed hysterically!
This movie was an absolute blast to see in Finland because the actor of Aatami Korpi is a very well known stage actor. He's very much liked by people over the age of 60. I went to the theater and saw a lot of ladies around that age, and I bet they had NO idea what kind of a movie they'd come to see :D I lift my hat for them though, because none of them left the theater even though there were quite a few gasps and exclamations. I guess the old ladies just survived through the movie with their own sisu :'D EDIT: also the name Aatami Korpi roughly translates to Adam Wilderness/Backwoods, which is pretty fitting for this man.
Try the Danish film with Connie Nelson, "Brothers" from 2007 I think - it got remade later as an American film with Natalie Portman, but that one is a second-rate pale shadow of the Danish film, that is far superior.
@Henry Hammerhead it works because we are fully damn aware of the absurdity and embrace it and aren't afraid to mock it either. Unlike Hollywood, which is full of self-inserts and diversity so that stars can pat themselves on the back.
As a finnish filmmaker, it's nice to see this one held up as a sample of a good action. Haven't seen it yet myself, but gonna put it on our local theater some time soon :)
You should promote these movies, which is in the top 10 movies according to me. Just to fuel the interest in good movies from Suomi - Tuntematon sotilas; _Unknown Soldier_ - Rukajärven Tie; _The Road to Rukkasjärvi_ - Talvisota; _The Winter War_ - Raja 1918; _The Border_ Hyvää päivää Ruotsista
Why not Soviet soldiers for once (Finlands enemy wasn't Germans so why pretend they were? Cowardice and virtuesignallism is why) These Hollywood lefties LOVE DRESSING UP IN GERMAN UNIFORMS MORE THAN TRUDEAU LOVES DRESSING UP IN BLACKFACE..... And the German young soldiers in Finland when Finland "deserted" its ally who came to their aid.... were hounded out but blocked from their sea transports and forced by Finland into a 1000 mile deathmarch up around through Norway, mid winter after 5 years of dying and fighting side by side with Finns, helping Finland keep it's freedom against the RedArmy...
the coolest thing about this movie imo is that its only 6 million dollars. i love when a tiny budget movie finds great success cus it proves to the industry that you do not need 250million + on every movie they make ( and they still look like shit somehow ) to be entertaining.
I'm only familiar with those Finnish movies they watched on MST3K. One was about a boastful young man who had his head turned into that of a bear because he refused to help a mushroom man or something.
do you know where you can see it, except for cinemas cause personal reasons? is there a site where you can pay to see it cause I don`t want to go "Arrr! behold me plunder." I really wanna support this movie.
0:55 The scorched earth tactics are actually against the Finns in 1944 when the condition of Finland leaving the war was expelling all German troops as 'requested' by the Soviets. This was called the Lapland War. The Wehrmacht had anticipated this turn of events and planned an organised withdrawal to German-occupied Norway, as part of Operation Birke (Birch). Despite a failed offensive landing operation by Germany in the Gulf of Finland, the evacuation proceeded peacefully at first. The Finns escalated the situation into warfare on 28 September after Soviet pressure to adhere to the terms of the armistice. After a series of minor battles, the war came to an effective end in November 1944, when all of the German troops had reached Norway or the border area and took fortified positions.
Why tf did you put requested in ""? This was literally the case. Finland had to accept it or deal with all out annexation. They got lucky the Soviets went easy on them. Why the ""?
@@williamtheconqueror7807 Of course? Finns invaded the USSR with nazis and committed a ridiculous amount of war crimes, killing, imprisoning and starving local population to death, culminating with the St. Petersburg blockade. Of course it was an ultimatum.
This movie is like the lovechild of John Wick but directed by Tarantino in Inglorious Basterds style. Also the best part is when he threw the mine into the soldiers face like a clown throwing a pie 😂
So as a 56 year old Finnish guy that’s been round the world for a few decades - thank you for covering this movie - makes me believe there are still some fun people out there 😊
Saw Sisu without watching the trailers only hearing that it was basically John Wick if he killed Nazis and it was sick. It’s basically a show don’t tell masterclass with some really over the top moments and no shortage of brutal kills. Heard there might be a sequel which I hope is not true cause I think it works well as a stand alone film.
It not impossible to make a new one but it may not be in the same tone, as it could be what happened before this one, showing how he became the incarnation of Sisu.
You're lucky some of the other high-quality cinema from Finland doesn't make it outside the borders. LIke the one where our most glorious war marshal Mannerheim was turned into a gay centaur.
How can a film be gritty, grounded AND over the top? this one was very special, loved every moment of it, the desolation, sheer hopelessness and badassery.
I remember a story where the Finnish special ops wiped out an entire Soviet squad then propped them all up in casual positions like they were talking to each other or eating and let them freeze solid that way for the other Soviet soldiers to come across. Fucking savage.
Thank you non-Hollywood film makers for delivering an art form that we so desperately need. I never thought I would say this about an action film but it brings me a sigh of relief to see not every filmmaker is out to make shite.
As cool as this might be, it is also just cr°nge to me. 😎 The real Naz°s were the deadliest soldiers of their time, at least armed. Dunno about unarmed. And whenever a Movie comes out where they are basically on the level of StarWars Stormtroopers, then I am instantly bored. The West has never proven to give the Naz°s the honor they deserve with authentic historical representation. They only exist to be killed of by almost superhuman badasses or guys with a very unrealistic amount of luck. 🥱 And this Movie too is clearly one such. Just that one scene were that guy stabs with a knife this thick through an entire skull. 😏🤗 This is not how real Human bodies work and this over-the-top exaggerated scenes feel like a comedy to me.
If historical revisionism was a movie it would be Sisu. No, on a serious note... It's quite amusing how, in modern times, Finland tries extremely hard to distract from the fact that they not only worked hand in hand with Germany (like many countries actually did), but also that they try to distract from the fact that it was Finland who attacked Germany after they agreed to leave Finland as the USSR demanded that action from the Finns. Not nearly as noble or stoic as they always make themselves out to be, as they caved in to the demands of the Soviet Union after losing the Winter War.
When we saw the trailer for Sisu, my daughter & I both said "we need to see this when it comes out" ... and we did. No regrets! Would see it again in a heartbeat! Everyone we told to see it love it and agree: 100% Hit! Box Office Boffo!
Went to see this with my father when it came to theaters here in Finland. It's quite good: fun action not to be taken too seriously. The humour is pretty Finnish as well. The cinematography and soundscape was good. Glad to hear others enjoyed it as well.
@@chatteyj It's about never laughing out loud or admitting you're amused. You can laugh on the inside, but emotions are for being felt, not for being shown. That and singing about Toyota Mark 2 being the most amazing car ever, right after Datsun 100A.
@@chatteyj That is suggesting that Finn's laugh... Finn's have stoicism down to a fine art, to the point where they could genuinely tell you that something is absolutely hilarious, and be utterly sincere, but they never crack a smile...
Sisu immediately made it into my top ten favorite movies. I absolutely love when an actor can say so much without speaking at all just through facial expressions.
@@jzsbff4801 Can't say you're wrong there. ...still kinda miss the times when Buster Keaton could literally drive a fucking train into a lake for the sake of a good shot :P
Thanks for covering this movie! As a Finn it´s unrealism of the protagonist refusing to die is kind of a satirical take on the Finnish word "Sisu" which translates to "perseverance in the face of any adversity". So he has so much Sisu in him that he cannot die, his determination alone keeps him alive! Edit: I see you covered this word in your video so I will go a little deeper why I think it´s a satirical take on it. There is this saying (more prevalent now with the boomer generation born after the war.) in Finland which goes:"Sisulla siitä selviää!" Which means:"Just have some determination and do it!". So by saying it you are just minimizing whatever the issue is and not really giving any valid answers to the problem. Of course it´s good to have perseverance in life but some ignorant people use the word "Sisu" to just staying ignorant and not really thinking about what the real issue is. So in this movie I think the main character exemplifies what the boomer generation means with it: Just be a superhuman and you´ll get through anything. I hope my point came across, English is my second language.
@@ColoradoStreaming It´s nice to hear that you have read up on the winter war! Rest assured if Russia tries any of that shit again we are ready! Especially now since we are part of NATO.
You sound whiny. Never say die, grin and bear it, suck it up, etc are common sayings, at least for Caucasians. Measure twice, cut once is also common knowledge that together with perseverance have lead to great accomplishments. The Edison vs Tesla modes of innovation, but the difference is, normal men who are not genius can still succeed through work and effort. Can being the operative word, if you're only interested in the sure thing, take a union government job and be grateful.
@@thisusedtobemyrealname7876Then you'll need the mentality of your ancestors who took Sisu to the extreme, just like the man in this movie. I'm so impressed by the valor and perseverance they showed.
What a suspiciously white comment. You might want to consider that humor disproportionally affects historically marginalized moviegoers, and can be downright harmful to some people.
This movie feels like a cope to downplay Finland's involvement with Germany in WW2. Beyond this brief "Lapland War" in 1944 they were 100% in cahoots with Germany in trying to starve out Leningrad (St Petersburg)
@@hubertcumberdale2651 To be fair, they had a reason after Talvisota. They wanted their land back and revenge against the Soviets so its no wonder they joined Germany and invaded Soviet Russian in the Continuation War.
No joke, I still chuckle at the origins of both Molotov Cocktail and Molotov Breadbasket (bombs dropped by the Germans after Molotov said they would only be dropping supplies.)
An action movie ... like it was meant to be. No needless drama or whining about how hard it is to be a hero. No silly love story ... just the hero, an objective ... and things to kill in all sorts of glorious over the top ways between those two. Why can't we have more of this Hollywood ? I think John Wick is the only one that ever came close to that classic 80's action movie style that didn't attempt to be more than it knew it was.
My God. This looks so insane! And the fact that a low budget movie shot in the middle of nowhere with no dialogue puts Hollywood movies to shame is astounding. 😆
That's because Hollyweird has way too many no talent hacks and people who just fail upwards into powerful positions. (cough* cough* Kathleen Kennedy, to name a few.)
As an American, i miss movies like the old Rambo or Schwarzenegger action films. You've just introduced something to me that I know without a doubt I'm gonna have to give a look.
Sisu, the movie, is supposed to "border on the supernatural" because that's exactly what SIsu is. It's that ability to reach down deep in your soul and grab onto something that just can't be described or explained. Yeah, you don't quit. You show tenacity and grit. More than that, though, is the spiritual element that fuels you long after you should have burned out. Sisu is the manifestation of the divine warrior. In the movie, Sisu isn't fighting to recover his gold. While that seems the case, it's only the most trivial part. The real motivation is righteous vengeance against those who did wrong by him. It's about justice. He worked hard for that gold and someone took it from him without legal or moral authority. The bad guys represent the schoolyard bully just as much as they do the boot of government, petty bureaucrats, jumped up office employees basking in their perceived power even when they're nothing more than a HR monkey. Sisu represents the rage so many feel at being done wrong by those supposedly 'in charge'. Sisu is the rage that boils in us all, aching to lash out and destroy the wicked, to cleanse the world of the cancer around us. That's why it resonates with people so much. It's a movie that speaks to the Everyman. It's an expression of the anger simmering deep down in the core of good men everywhere who are tired of the wokeness and the blatant lies, the politicians laughing as they know they can do whatever they want and get away with the most egregious behavior. Sisu is what happens when folks have had enough, when they're tired of alway giving ground to a voracious enemy who just won't stop. That's why the movie grabs your attention. The spirit of sisu is calling, and it's only a matter of time before the call is answered.
I gotta dispute you a little here. You say it was taken without legal or moral authority, while at the same time these Germans, who had defended Finland's borders for years from the Soviets, were now being threatened and attacked by said Finn's until they were chased out of the country. I would say in this situation, to put yourself in these guy's shoes and imagine how they felt, probably as betrayed as someone could feel. Idk just my thought since I know the history behind this event.
Here’s some wisdom, as I can see you are very self-aware. As many other teachings you believe in from the Bible, such as “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”…..another is about this very topic. The Bible tells us to acknowledge this anger but to pass it to God, because not only does he have Righteous anger as well, it’s FOR US and much BIGGER then ours. He is also just much much more patient to go with it. So while there are actions to take in this world, do not hold onto that anger. Your heart of a warrior exists but it’s not for you to take revenge if it involves something terrible, but to give your complaints to God with all the emotion that goes with it. And that heart of humility and righteous anger moves Him as it would a kid to their parent as that very concept of kid/parent came from Him.
I illustrate movie posters for a living. This was one I was part of pitching on. To do that I had to watch a screener of it. Going into this with no expectations was the most fun movie experience I have had in years. It went from "this is compelling and beautifully shot," to "well this is intense," to "what the actual eff am I watching." So satisfying in the end.
Oh man thanx for highlighting SISU! This was such a breath of fresh air amongst Hollywood garbage! As a Finn sisu is lives in me/us and it was so much fun to see a niche part of our culture represented. In the movie there are fantastical elements sure, but in the end it's the story and the acting that truly make this movie. I have not met a single person who did not love this movie! I have been following you for a long time, so keep up Drinker! We appreciate your honesty! * MaCallan 18 cheers*
It sounds like watching Sisu is like finding a hammer with a nice hickory handle in a hardware store. It doesn't plug in, it's not trendy, it won't win awards But it's just what you need if it's what you were wanting.
Or an axe. I recently needed one to cut a stump out. I broke 3 of them from the local hardware store before they decided to stop giving me more of the same shit and just refund me
This was by far the most fun I had in the movie since Top Gun: Maverick. Wishing more of these types of action movies where the playing time (1 h 31 min) was the perfect length. Lots of good things to say about Sisu.
I saw the word "sisu" and knew exactly what this movie is. It's a singular Finnish word that doesn't quite translate to other languages the right way. It's just sisu. My grandmother used to describe the line of strong Finnish women in our family. Makes me smile.
It has many facets and means many things ranging from character or strength to being a stubborn asshole or arguing the opposite point on a seemingly uncontroversial subject just for the sake of doing it.
@@szymonbaranowski8184 the "drug party babe" was not a party leader when we had those elections back in 2019. she became prime minister after her predecessor fucked something up.
As a cinema nerd from Finland i gotta tell you, our movie scene went downhill FAST from the late nineties... Hopefully this international recognition of SISU will inspire everyone else to get their shit together too!
Not going to happen. Such forms of entertainment will get FAR worse long before they get any better. Just be thankful they didn’t decide to make Aatami a black female lesbian that twerks every time she rips apart another Nazi with her bare hands whose actress calls everyone who doesn’t watch the film “ Nazis “.
best Finnish film to me is the White Reindeer from the early 1950s - amazing film that as far as I can tell basically invented that 'folk horror' thing that's so popular today (and which people usually trace to British horror movies from the 1970s). Anyone didn't like this movie much sry - no reason to give a shit about anything happening, and the action wasn't compelling to me (the John Wick comparisons really do it no favors as it's nowhere close to that level). I know it had a low budget but it also felt like it. Funny seeing the most Finnish-looking dudes ever supposed to be German soldiers tho lol
It premiered on a Friday...being retired, I went to see the matinee showing.. I was the only one in the theatre...just me..and SISU...and lots of popcorn... Had a great time. It isn't complicated or "hollywoodish"..and it's well worth going to see.
@@nadagabri5783 People know a lot about World War II, which has nothing to do with what the US has been writing about in those history books; this movie is just bad propaganda and nothing more.
I watched it, based on your recommendation (THANK YOU!), and it was a good one! Some of it REALLY pushed the border of suspension of disbelief. Thanks for the review!
Drinker iff you haven't already I'd highly recommend you watch Mr inbetween. It's about an Australian man battling the life as a hitman and a loving family man built on strong morals. Scott ryan the main lead both stars and writes the story. His character is what a male role model should be, stays calm through every situation and you never want to disrespect him. It's a highly refreshing take on the positive effects of positive male role models that should be portrayed more in films as current trends include making the male star as dumb and clueless as possible.
I called him "Grampa Wick" The movie IS a lot of fun, but I think it was perfectly done. gorgeous cinematography, great sound, gory but amazingly well done visual effects, characters were simple but good Definitely feels like it had a budget of over 1 mil. My favorite line was when they called him "Immortal", and the girl says: " He's not immortal, he just refuses to die". just brilliant.
Something that not enough people talk about in this movie is the cinematography. Every shot is intentional and has a purpose. The one word I could use to describe this movie when I left the theater was “Anticipation.” Every shot would hang on just long enough, and then BAM the action was quick, satisfying and visceral. There’s so many moments in this movie where the Nazis are just… waiting, trying to anticipate what this guys next move is, and then he acts so fast they don’t have enough time to react to it. But the shot composition is so sublime that we, the audience, are anticipating right along with them.
Your reviews are the stuff of legends. No filter, no BS, and zero fox given to who gets triggered. Cinematography, plot, storytelling, character arc and development. Only the things that make movies what they’re supposed to be. Tip my hat to you Drinker. Many thanks!
Hardcore Henry!!!!!!!! Love that movie. I just left a comment about "Nobody". Same guy made both. I'm 66. I consider HH one of the top 5 movies I've seen over the course of my life.
I have a couple comments. You said the setting was chosen because it was easy to film in, and while it probably is, the setting is in fact historical. The events take place during the Lapland war. Finland had made peace with the Soviet Union in 1944, and the peace terms required Finland to eject their former German comrades in arms from the country. So, the Germans were not retreating from the Soviets, but from the Finnish army. Also, the war took place in Lapland, and the film was shot there as well. Finally, there actually have been gold rushes in Lapland, and miners worked at their claims even during the war. So, those parts of the setting are historically accurate. While the Germans did resort to scorched earth tactics in reprisal for what they viewed as betrayal from the Finns, I have not heard of any civilians being murdered. Most of the civilian population was evacuated, and the Germans not only did not interfere, they sometimes even helped in it. The only civilian casualties I know of were from land mines, and these continued for decades after the war was over. I am from Finland. My grandfather fought in Lapland.
Still, there was thousands of casulties on both sides (was none them a civilian...?), during the *Lapland War.* And nazis did use scorched earth tactics on massive scale, while fleeing to their safe place, i.e. Sweden.
@@eukariootti1 The point is that I doubt it was common practice to hang civies from signposts. I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened, but I doubt it was something they were ordered to do intentionally.
@@YTsux100pct._of-the-time. I have once been to an exhibition specifically about war crimes committed by the German Army. I still remember the photos of smiling soldiers posing next to civilians they had murdered. So, that happened too. In any case, there were SS-battalions stationed in Lapland, so this is not the explanation for the lack of civilian casualties. I think what makes all the difference is that in Finland, the Germans were not retreating from occupied hostile territory, they were retreating from a former ally. Germans had lived with the locals for years, forming close relationships, even marriages. German propaganda had not spent years dehumanizing Finns, and accordingly the soldiers treated them as human beings. Yes, the Germans did raze Lapland, but there are stories of soldiers avoiding causing undue distress. In one anecdote, the soldiers waited for civilians to finish removing window panes from their house before burning it, because they had not been ordered to break them. I'm not going to deny that there would have been any civilian casualties, because that does seem unlikely. I'm just saying I have never heard of deliberate murders taking place, so the scenes of civilians being hanged are most likely not historical in Finland.
Just watched this film and absolutely loved every second. It honestly comes over as a Sergio Leone spaghetti western in WW2 dress. Eternal thanks for the recommendation...
All of the lower budget movies I've seen the past couple of years have been amazing. I think part of the issue with marvel and disney is that they have practically no constraints on what they make, and thus try to substitute big extensive flashy lights and a-list actors for actual creativity. When you have some limitations, you're almost forced to be more creative because you have to do more with less.
It's more like the bigger the budget the _more safe_ the makers are obliged to play because Corporate and Shareholders are risk-averse about their investment. That kind of checking-off-list can't but eat into the final product.
WOW. Sisu, huh? Well, alright then. Never heard of it. I'm definitely going to find and watch it. TYVM, Critical Drinker. And I stand with you in your ongoing battle against the 'Wokenites', as does most of America and the world. We fight the good fight and, together, we will win this battle.
I saw Sisu last night. It’s magnificent. If you like bloody action movies, you’ll love this one. Bonus pleasure is seeing beautiful landscapes of Finland. - Thanks for this review, Drinker.
@@007oskari Only the northernmost parts of Lapland past the "tree line" are bare tundra at that, most is _taiga_ terrain rife with forests of hardy conifers and boreal birch. Very beautiful in a stark, rugged fashion but not very amenable to life.
I was at the premiere for this, and intro speeches from cast and crew were classically Finnish and understated (it being an international cast, of course). As a foreigner who has lived in Finland for over a decade, I think this is one of the finest examples of Finnish cinema. Just the right amount of OTT cliches, capped off by the perfect drop of wry, Finnish humour.
I saw this movie twice and never realized sisu almost never said a word the whole movie until the end!!!!! It was awesome !!!! He didn't need to his actions alone said it all...
in martial arts, whenever a master has trouble perfecting the hardest combinations or techniques, they are generally seen to go back to the basics to slowly build up a different perspective and see what they can improve to achieve their goal. Sisu seems to be exactly that. It is not exactly a throwback to simpler times but a way to relearn what made the action genre fun in the first place. Our action movies nowadays aren't as fun as it used to be even with exorbitant funds and that is because they forgot the building bricks of the genre and substitute what is essential for what is supposed to be secondary.
I went with my cousin to watch John Wick 4. They played trailer for Sisu. Immediately we wanted to leave the cinema and go watch Sisu. That trailer was the most enjoyable thing this year so far.
They definitely got the idea of sisu right, I’m a 5th generation Finn in Minnesota and we still use sisu to describe things like this, it was how I described John Wick. Glad to see what looks like a fun and entertaining solid movie come around!
Just watched it. I have to say thank you, without your recommendation I probably would never have even heard of this gem. This is what an action movie should be, wow. Holy crap. And, yeah they had a "girl power" moment and you know what? It fit perfectly with the movie and was NOT "the message" being pushed down your throat. Man, what a ride. Thanks!
Perfectly said. But best part was that all the "over the top stuff", was based in reality, just exaggerated for effect, whereas Hollywood it's just utterly bullshit unbelievable. .
The biggest problem with modern hollywood is that the studios have seemingly lost the willingness to just make a movie who's only purpose is to entertain you for 2 hours. Not every movie has to have a 'deep message' about 'the world we live in today'.... sometimes it can just be escapist fun for an afternoon If modern hollywood put the 250 million dollars it pisses away on marvel sludge into 20 movies with the same attitude as this movie, maybe they'd actually turn a profit for once.
@@petriew2018 the thing is this isn’t just to entertain you. It’s propaganda. The trailer I saw when I was in theaters said if you want to see Nazis getting killed this is the movie for you. Why would I want to see Nazis getting killed? I just want to see good movies. If they get killed that should be considered an afterthought not the point of the movie. The fact that they marketed it that way means it’s a revenge fantasy. Just like the woman king which was a revenge fantasy against slavers. Both of these are anti white movies. Unfairly white people who care about their own well being have become associated with slavers and Nazis. Movies like this are made so that any white person who claims white people as a group are being treated unfairly can be associated with bad people like Nazis and slavers. This channel points out the anti white agenda in Hollywood then completely misses on this one because he believes Nazis are different than white people. In the minds of Hollywood they’re the same. And anytime you go against PC, woke or anything you are called a Nazi. I’m not even white and this happens to me.
The Western (as in cowboys) elements in this movie are great. The range from subtle to not so subtle cues in the title fonts, soundtrack, shot selection, and of course characters. Awesome movie.
Sisu was refreshing. I felt it got a little eye rolling with the depths he was able to survive, but in the context of the story, he is a fairy tale... a myth. He provides hope to his people in a time when they desperately need it. The utilization of silence to create that feeling of isolation. Good movie, wish Hollywood marketed it better.
What a great movie. I haven't seen a movie like this in quite awhile. So simplistic yet I couldn't stop watching it even with the far fetched plot. Highly recommend.
I went to see it with a couple of vet buddies. Damn! It was a fun experience. We are still talking about it, whenever we get together or talk on the phone, even several weeks later.
I watched this movie having no idea what I was getting into. I really enjoyed it. The ending had me scratching my head asking myself what the hell did I just watch. Still enjoyed it.
Highly recommend: Unknown Soldier (2017) Its excellent and most importantly historically accurate Finnish ww2 movie. Brutally honest story about war, unity, courage and cowardice, and defeat with absolutely amazing characters and Finnish actors. The movie does not trying to fantasize war, violence or heroism it just shows how things went
I love your blunt, honest, gritty review style. You tell it how it is and make concepts understandable. You made me want to see Sisu even more than I wanted to already. It looks awesome and that's why I want to see it period. Keep up the great work. I don't usually read reviews. The games/movies I like are all of the same genre, but your reviews make me want to tune in. You give the vibe of "This is my opinion, I don't care if you agree!" Very refreshing.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm a 38 year old Finnish man who went to see this in the movies with my 70 year old dad. The last movie we saw together was the Matrix. After this one, we just looked at each other and nodded...
That's a very Finnish story :)
@@Zothaqqua well, that's a stamp of approval
Awesome
Did the movie tickets cost more than a fin each?
wow, you guys actually looked at each other AND nodded? must be a good movie...
I go to the movies with my dad sometimes. he's 77 years old, went to Vietnam, fought in Biker gangs, and was a trucker for 40 years, so most of what comes out nowadays doesn't vibe with him. I took him to see this and he couldn't stop laughing and even did some cheering here and there. Come to think of it, so did a few other people in our showing. It was just a really nice experience to see everyone in the theatre being vocal and having fun, and its always nice to see dad kind of come alive so to speak. What a fun movie.
Goddamn your dad sounds badass
@@fojisan2398 War Veteran..if it that aint sound impressive..i dont know what can
My dad fough in Bosnia does not talk a bout it and hate guns
Bless your dad from another Vietnam veteran.
@@NewGuy478 with good reason I can imagine.
Sisu embodies the saying "fight me if you must, but I'm old for a reason"
“Beware of the old man in a profession where men die young”
"The devil knows more for being old than for being the devil"
Never heard that expression before, but it makes total sense.
That's a good interpretation of the word *_SISU_* 😌👍
It's a special kind of mindset and view on life and death only the Finns have, the folk who are second to none in the world.
I salute my brothers and sisters Suomesta with honour and respect
Terveisiä Ruotsista
🇸🇪🤜🤛🇫🇮
"If you've come to kill me... even these days, it is not easy." - Godfrey from Kingdom of Heaven
And the best part? No extended universe, no glorified cameos, no crossover easter eggs. Just a simple 'balls to the wall' action flick. Beautiful.
This film is ridiculous. So much stupidity in one film. I am a fan of action films but this one is frustrating
@@covidbryant6412cry bro we enjoyed the movie that's all
@@covidbryant6412 it is but thats the point 😂
This film brought to mind a story of my grandfather's father who in the (Finnish) Civil War was captured by the Communists and taken to a prison camp. He asked to go to the outhouse. While there, he lifted up the toilet "seat" and pushed the tower of frozen excrement off his way, crawling to freedom through the potty hole. Then ran back home. True sisu.
If it was the soviets , then why didn’t they just show the communist instead of the German soldiers? Would have made it a little bit more accurate
@@kingalton10 it was a bit more complicated
This guy's great grandpa story happened in the Finnish Civil War, which went on at the same time of the Russian one, but ended with the Reds kicked out of Finland.
In WW2 Finland was invaded by the USSR, then they allied with the Axis and pushed back in the Continuation War, and liberated Karelia and parts of its old borders. But as the tide of war swung around, Finland changed sides and started fighting the Germans out of their country in a conflict known as the Lapland War. The movie happens around this time
@@riograndedosulball248 You make it sound like Finland was the Jack Sparrow of WWII.
@@riograndedosulball248 ok thanks for the info!
@@riograndedosulball248 Thanks.. I know embarrassingly little Finnish history, which I intend to rectify. I have been recently interested in it since the Russian/Ukrainian situation and they share a pretty big boarder.
I call these "hero horror", where it's basically a slasher movie where the slasher is the good guy
I guess…..🤔
simple result of trying to show a protagonist as powerful - the way to do it is to show it from a disempowered enemy's point of view which subtly makes you empathise with them and therefore see the hero as scary, you can see it in eg. a Fistful of Dollars where Clint Eastwood strides into town at the end with the Kurosawa frame and the bad guys are trying to shoot him and the armor he hid beneath his ponsho makes him seem immortal. John Wick obviously played with it very self-consciously - though this film's memey attempts to quote john wick came across forced and lame
I like that term.
basically DOOM eternal
Death Wish series
The Hero didn't cry or moan or emo. Just pure grit and determination. A call back to those old silent male heroes. Pure will, focus and determination.
It's a sign of the pendulum swinging. The westerns gave way to the roided 80s, then the 90s had their couples and family guys (Jurassic Park set the tone for all of the 90s disaster flicks with a fatherly figure), the 00s had their monsters with a human side (Spider-Man set the tone here, everyone was both evil and understandably relatable, as well as the Star Wars prequels turning Anakin/ Vader into a sympathetic villain, Blade, Hulk, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Lilo and Stitch...) and bromances leading to more intimate and engaging characters (blame Lord of the Rings and their personal relationships), followed up in the 10s by said monster men now needing to be cared for and exploring their emotions instead of just having them (Twilight, Hunger Games, The Dark Knight, and once again the relationships in the MCU). And now that we've reached peak masculine emotions and we're all sick of it, we're seeing a return to stoicism.
@@Undomaranel John wick came out like 10 years ago
@@Undomaranel If movies accurately portrayed both men and women's emotions i would have no problem. Marvel in specific is treating all male characters like pathetic pussies and all female characters like undefeatable lions
@Keith D. Oh wow, my bad for not including every single male character spanning the last 40 years in a post describing the general shift in overall depicted masculinity... /s. Good for you in pointing out that not every character/ franchise followed the trends! Would you prefer head pats or a dog biscuit Vegeta style?
@@Undomaranel john wick really?
Koshai is the embodiment of the saying “Beware of an old man in a profession where men die young”
It's "Koschei", from a classic Russian folktale. An evil wizard who's undying because he's hidden his life outside his body - basically the prototype of the D&D Lich.
@@broadbandislife Thanks, now I know where Diablo 4 got the idea.
This is a very uunderrated quote
Especially if he's bald and smiling.
Koschei the undying? The guy whos soul in in a needle, in an egg, insider a duck, inside a chest, guraded by a dragon?
Sisu is basically the current culmination of what Jalmari Helander (the director) and Jorma Tommila (the main actor) have been doing together for about two decades now. From tiny indie short films to bigger (but still very indie) multi million productions, they all share these similar over the top qualities and Jorma Tommila's angry, brooding, juggernaut-like character.
You should give them a watch, Drinker.
the Rare export shorts were great. Still on youtube. Ofc. Rare export Inc. full feature film is great too :D Love them.
"Rare Exports" is just about my favourite movie, it finally gave me, at 55, a reason to look forward to Christmas every year: we watch it every Christmas Eve.
I found Jorrma from Hunt For The Wilderpeople and now it's one of my favs, uncle hec killing Nazis was awesome and the indie vibes are real
Jorma is the FUCKING MAN!!! An epithome of a FINN!
I think it all started from the original Rare Exports "advert", which was never ment to be very public, but was once (?) show on public TV in Finland and I remember seeing it almost from the beginning and going major WTF and sending an email to the TV broadcaster "What was that that I just saw and where can I find it!?" - the first "Rare Exports" was just brilliant.
Sisu might not change the whole film industry but it sure will revolutionize the finnish film industry thanks to its budget, box office and critical praise. As a Finn I'm still mindboggled how a FINNISH action film was a success especially overseas.
Its not even close to a masterpiece.
Because Finnish history is badass, so action movies from Finland tend to be as well
@@trigas5578 Ok, why
It's really cool to see it did so well in north america, exceeded projections even and turned a profit. Seems the director said he'd consider pursuing sequel if it did well in the US too. Funny considering this project only happened because covid threw a wrench into other projects lol
@@kzero1499 This movie was overrated
The fact that the hero refuses to die and acts like an actual man makes him one of the greatest action heroes.
That's a trope that's common in a lot of fictional stories
@@justsomeguywholovesberserk6375 I know, but I still find it to be worth pointing out.
Rasputin
Yes.
Yeah, you still see some actual roughness and masculine ruthlessness in action movies, but 80% of the cases it's just "haha, isn't it cool how we kill these helpless nazi Germans, those Germans were so evil and stupid, they turned people into lampshades and soap but they were also incompetent and on meth".
Inglorious Basterds, Hunters, Fury, it's a new genre where the only manly toughness that is allowed is committing war crimes against ze Germans. Wake me up when there's a cool action movie with Skorzeny as the hero, there sure would be more than enough material to make it rememberable.
Far fetched action, fun over-the-top violence, not much dialogue. Definitely worth a watch.
It worked for Mad Max: Fury Road as well!
There is a difference between far fetched and just stupid. Sisu was a stupid movie.
@@jzsbff4801 You're right. I wasn't expecting it to be pointless and stupid.
@@jzsbff4801 Rare Exports sounds interesting. Is it in English or subtitled?
In Japan, there was a movie named "Re:born 2015", which had the similar character like Sisu.
You guys should check it out
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Re:Born_(film)
The current state of Hollywood has really taught us to appreciate anything good to its fullest.
Cross out "Hollywood" and write "life", and you're even more correct.
It taught us to see mediocrity as exceptionally well made
Sometimes a director can make a superhero movie without a gaudy costume or a moral code.
@secretudontknow Finally, it's here!
Anything not made in America seems to be pretty good these days
My family heritage is Finnish. I named my first dog Sisu because she was tough and refused to die. She survived several issues that should have killed her but kept going. Heart disease finally took her at 13 years old. I’m excited to see this movie. I have a feeling my dog would be proud to share the same name as this film.
That is so heartwarming, props to you and your dog, Sisu. May she rest in peace
My dad's cat was also called Sisu.
From one fellow pet lover and owner, belated but sincere condolences. I'm sure your friend was happy to have had you as their owner as they crossed over, and thankful to you for giving them such a kickass name.
It wasn't heart disease. She just wanted to get a head start on beating the shit out of Death in the afterlife.
Simo is your hero
My grandparents are Finnish descent, and the Sisu is real. My grandpa mined copper for 20 years while raising 5 kids in basically the woods. When the kids were grown, the mine shut down, so he moved and started building AC units for helicopters. Where’d he learn how to do that? Don’t know! Just fucking got after it. Was an absolute legend.
I love this! My mother's side is Finnish and I knew sisu first-hand and am always proud of the grit and wherewithal of my bloodline.
Northern Michigan, I'm guessing?
yooper?
If you think about it the older generations didnt have choices like people of today and they had to apply logic to solve problems and then they had to do it themselves. They were mechanics,plumbers,electricians and all this was taught to them by their fathers or even self taught. I use to think too myself as a 40 year old that the previous generation were so much better than us at everything and my generation are useless, then you look at the current generations coming thru and realise we actually feel like the last gen that can change a light bulb and service your 2001 era car. We screwed because the people being born now will inherit a world of in balanced adult children who cant even decide if they like themselves because the world has gone soft on them.
My Dad was a Fin who's Dad married a tough lady in a tiny logging Oregon town.
His birthdate was off by a day since his mom had him at home and took him to the doc the next day lol.
He and my mom raised us in Cali but he worked his garden with his hands, made fences with branches just for fun and never complained about anything. Huge sliver under his fingernail? It would work itself out, he said.
Quite yet fierce if anyone messed with his girls. Principled, God fearing and reliable as hell.
We lost him to a brain tumor. It was my honor to become his caretaker and fierce patient advocate. He of course, still never complained, even at the end.
I'm adopted so no Fin blood, but what a blessing to be raised by one. ❤
Glad to see Finnish movie getting more recognition. As Finnish I feel really proud to witness this even though our niche movie making scenery.
Same here
Lucky for you that you joined NATO now and there will be far more material to make movies about how you bravely at, 100% of you bnp, fight of the Russian, where Ukraine failed, you pulled it of. With soldiers like Sisu..
@@pietermoorer3679 No we mostly did it with a shitload of foreign material aid, terrain advantage, the assorted internal Soviet difficulties (the Red Army in '39-'40 was _shambles_ srsly) and being a seriously secondary concern in the late war. Factually surrendered on terms in both cases regardless of what nationalist historiography might want to tell you.
And the jury's still out on Ukraine, Nostradamus.
AKI IS A GOD TIER DIRECTOR AS WELL
What I liked about the character was that he lived away from everything, and all he had was himself and his search for gold. He had no reason or need for the gold since it was only him, his dog, and his horse. He was doing what he wanted to do, and when people came along and tried to take that simple desire away from him, he let them know that it was a mistake. In my opinion, the world needs more men with grit like the main character.
He just wanted to be left alone. Politicians should live in fear of men like that.
@@buckodonnghaile4309 they do, that's why they want to take their rights away 😢
@@buckodonnghaile4309 America is full of men who are well past their physical prime, like Sisu, but are still more than willing to fight if they are pushed too far. Indeed, politicians who want to take away our rights and our way of life have much to fear.
there are a lot of men like this lol. the difference is in real life you actually die when you get hanged, shot, or slammed too hard.
@@thunderstruck8087 Can you burgerlords keep your puerile machobullshit power fantasies out of this? Thanks.
Sisu is the unknown strength and determination we have that we tap into to carry ourselves through struggles and hardships. Can't wait to see this film.
it just means guts
@@managers6667 No, OP described it exactly right. Sisu is above all the necessary force of will you need to live a life of continual hardship. You need sisu just to survive the life our ancestors survived, here in the far north, where agriculture is just barely possible and the environment is unforgiving.
@managers6667 I don't think you understand the utter brutality of human history prior to the industrial revolution.
"sisu" in my mother tongue means "content" lol
Sisu actually manufactures dump trucks
Sisu was one of the most enjoyable experiences I had in the movie theater this year. Its nice to see a film about human resilience and persistence without a character whining about victimhood and marginalization.
true
Surely you jest...is such a thing even possible? I guess it is :). Definitely going to be on the lookout for this one.
It's also good to see a film where a villain gets stabbed all the way through the head sideways.
Bad propaganda is always bad. XD
@@Hollowsesh Bad propaganda is always bad. XD
Sisu was such a breath of fresh air. I enjoyed every second of it!
The lead actor, Jorma Tommila, really seems to have fun with his roles. He is also in a Christmas action film from 2010 called Rare Exports. The premise of that movie is that some international treasure hunter types come digging in Finland trying to find the remains of the mythological Santa Claus, which they do, but turns out Santa and his elves are ancient troll-like entities that kill people and eat children, and it's up to a group of local reindeer herders to stop them from getting free.
I'm gonna watch this, thanks for the recommendation.
a very fun movie, Saw it in theater black when it was released
Followed your recommendation. I enjoyed it. Thanks for that!
I thought he looked familiar... yeah, Rare Exports is a great christmas-themed light horror flick, heartily recommended :)
@@ancientbuilds3764 You're very welcome, happy you enjoyed it!
Sisu is also often used to describe Finlands Armed Forces.
"Sisu is a unique Finnish concept. It is a Finnish term that can be roughly translated into English as strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity.
Sisu is not momentary courage, but the ability to sustain that courage. It is a word that cannot be fully translated."
Simply, the Finnish wants to finish.🤓👍
"True grit" maybe the translation
finland literally did their own russia ukraine before it was cool
@@8numb160 Something people like to forget to mention nowadays is that the first-wave Red Army divisions that blundered in blind deaf and dumb and duly got encircled and ganked were _from_ Ukraine...
Reason being Stalin had another of his paranoid episodes and decided troops raised from the NW districts (who would have, y'know, had some idea about how to fight in deep forests) could not be relied on to fight against their immediate next-door neighbours and ethnic kin, never mind ample evidence to the contrary from the idiotic Finnish land-grab attempts during the Russian Civil War, so he insisted they had to come from further afield.
I think you did well
This reminds me of a real life story of a Finnish soldier who literally got lost in the wild with his squad's supply of methamphetamines and went on a drug filled rampage that lasted several days against the soviets who ended up being afraid of him being some kind of a monster instead of a regular man.
Yep, he used the whole supply of pervitin (combat stims, literally meth as candy pills to ward off exhaustion and fear) meant for the whole company and went on a week long rampage, eating squirrels and whatnot to survive before waking up in one of the field hospitals with no clue what kind of trail of destruction he left behind. 🤣
See Count Dankula (The home of Absolute Mad Lads)…… “The Soldier Who Took All The Meth”
Yes, that should be a film too.
yep, aimo koivunen
The guys at Yarnhub have a nice animated video on his misadventure.
If I wanted something realistic I'd watch a documentary, this is exactly what I needed. It was glorious!
Right up until the plane crash
@@TJ-W yeah, unfortunately. I just took it as meaning he really is a spirit
ehh, personally I like more grounded action like in nobody or the first john wicks ngl. not that I hated this one, it was a great one, just not what I expected :D
Unless Netflix gets ahold of that documentary, lol. Then you can’t even watch that.
I'm not going to lie, his motivation is so relatable. All of us want that one momment where you (in this case literally) strike gold. And if someone tries to take it away from you, you'd fight with everything you have to keep it.
Snag (2023) line: "I've never been that guy. Let me be that guy (that is the hero)." - side character tells main character while being scared as hell, still try and help his friend by providing cover fire for an injured friend. (something to that effect).
I think it's more than that. He is old and has probably had a hard life. He has worked hard for a long time to get to that point of discovering the gold, and just when his hard work finally pays, somebody wants to take it from him. It's not the gold they are taking, but the years of his life, the blood & sweat. Some people say that it's just stuff, why get upset about it. Those people most likely get allot of stuff easily with little effort. But when it takes allot of effort to get so little, and it represents time, pain, tiredness, sleeplessness, bearing insults, and you have had people take from you again, and again. Then there comes a point where you say enough. I deserve this. It belongs to me. I am not guilty of killing you over 'stuff'. You are choosing to die in the attempt to take away my life.
I hate when the nazis try to take my gold
Another reminder that not only Hollywood makes movies.
They're basically a punchline at this point
I don't even remember when I last enjoyed a Hollywood movie. Korean cinematography saves the day, and European indie projects.
I'm Finnish and love that this masterpiece is getting such worldwide recognition. It is even better if you understand Finnish culture, which ties into some of the themes in the film, e.g. Aatami not talking at all until the very end is based on a Finnish stereotype of us being very quiet and reserved, and also of course understanding the concept of "Sisu".(which was explained perfectly in this video). Thank you Jordan for reviewing this film.
I mean what else would you even say to enemy soldiers trying to steal your hard-earned gold than maybe "Perkele!"? =D
@@houndofculann1793 so... Sisu is understanding the concept of being reserved... when we travel to Finland, arriving at the stations (we travel by train), the Finnish are easily recognised when they hear a foreigner speak. They all flurry almost into the walls of the stations in hopes that they don't have to speak or even say "hello" to the "foreigners", even speaking their own language :D
I do understand the language more than enough to know they speak about you as the "outsider", and if you react to that in Finnish, they don't understand you, and react to that as "stupid outsider is trying to speak Finnish".
and you know what... I do like the FInnish people i know (basically family), i do REALLY like the food. But to say SISU is still in the FInnish folk... Nah, i have NEVER in the 30 years i come to Finland, seen SISU like this, nor the meaning of SISU.
Hyvää Suomi :D
and about the movie... yeah, i had a REALLY good time with it :D
We need a Finnish mythology based story of some kind, I know the Kalevala was a huge inspiration on The Lord Of The Rings & the Elvish language. Finns & Estonians get overshadowed too much in my opinion when it comes to History & art.
@@miniaturepainting Sisu has nothing to do with being reserved, what made you think of that? Stoicism, determination, hardiness and attitude are what makes sisu. So exactly what you see in the movie.
@@barfturd1607 Finnish and Estonian culture are really awesome, and their story is quite interesting and badass as well, looking forward to see more content about
Vacationing with my 86 year old dad, he saw an ad for this film. We got it and watched it 3 times in the last 7 days... Watching the Drinker review, I want to go for round 4 already!
This is such a fun film. I never thought I'd be laughing about a guy getting hit in the head with a landmine, but there it is, and I laughed hysterically!
This movie was an absolute blast to see in Finland because the actor of Aatami Korpi is a very well known stage actor. He's very much liked by people over the age of 60. I went to the theater and saw a lot of ladies around that age, and I bet they had NO idea what kind of a movie they'd come to see :D I lift my hat for them though, because none of them left the theater even though there were quite a few gasps and exclamations. I guess the old ladies just survived through the movie with their own sisu :'D
EDIT: also the name Aatami Korpi roughly translates to Adam Wilderness/Backwoods, which is pretty fitting for this man.
I was excited to see this because I recognized him from rare Exports--my absolute favorite Christmas movie.
Damn!! That name translation makes the whole thing a thousand times better!!!
Those ladies probably just remembered what post WWII was actually like and saw the movie from that mentality. HARD-FUCKIN-CORE!
@@CthonicSoulChicken Mine too. I watch it with my GF every year.
Oh, now the last name makes sense because I knew Korpiklaani basically meant "forest clan".
I've been watching a lot of foreign films and it's damn refreshing. They have their weaknesses but by and large, I feel like my time is better spent.
Indian movies rarely disappoint
Just like RRR, it was a great surprise.
Try the Danish film with Connie Nelson, "Brothers" from 2007 I think - it got remade later as an American film with Natalie Portman, but that one is a second-rate pale shadow of the Danish film, that is far superior.
Agree....
@Henry Hammerhead it works because we are fully damn aware of the absurdity and embrace it and aren't afraid to mock it either. Unlike Hollywood, which is full of self-inserts and diversity so that stars can pat themselves on the back.
As a finnish filmmaker, it's nice to see this one held up as a sample of a good action. Haven't seen it yet myself, but gonna put it on our local theater some time soon :)
You should promote these movies, which is in the top 10 movies according to me. Just to fuel the interest in good movies from Suomi
- Tuntematon sotilas; _Unknown Soldier_
- Rukajärven Tie; _The Road to Rukkasjärvi_
- Talvisota; _The Winter War_
- Raja 1918; _The Border_
Hyvää päivää Ruotsista
Why not Soviet soldiers for once (Finlands enemy wasn't Germans so why pretend they were? Cowardice and virtuesignallism is why) These Hollywood lefties LOVE DRESSING UP IN GERMAN UNIFORMS MORE THAN TRUDEAU LOVES DRESSING UP IN BLACKFACE..... And the German young soldiers in Finland when Finland "deserted" its ally who came to their aid.... were hounded out but blocked from their sea transports and forced by Finland into a 1000 mile deathmarch up around through Norway, mid winter after 5 years of dying and fighting side by side with Finns, helping Finland keep it's freedom against the RedArmy...
funniest thing to me was all the 'German' soldiers with the most Finnish faces ever seen
the coolest thing about this movie imo is that its only 6 million dollars. i love when a tiny budget movie finds great success cus it proves to the industry that you do not need 250million + on every movie they make ( and they still look like shit somehow ) to be entertaining.
Well said 👍💯
In short, Finnish John Wick. Enough said. Go see it.
I mean there was a real life Finnish John Wick named Simo Häyhä
oh look another bot
@@justsomeguywholovesberserk6375 there’s a couple of great videos on here about him. Well worth watching
John wick is overrated as fuck
Better than John Wick
Im so glad a good finnish movie is getting global recognition.
Iron Sky was kind of neat.
I'm only familiar with those Finnish movies they watched on MST3K. One was about a boastful young man who had his head turned into that of a bear because he refused to help a mushroom man or something.
@@ramonandrajo6348 what propaganda 😂
@@jerska100 Salty. XD
do you know where you can see it, except for cinemas cause personal reasons? is there a site where you can pay to see it cause I don`t want to go "Arrr! behold me plunder." I really wanna support this movie.
0:55 The scorched earth tactics are actually against the Finns in 1944 when the condition of Finland leaving the war was expelling all German troops as 'requested' by the Soviets. This was called the Lapland War. The Wehrmacht had anticipated this turn of events and planned an organised withdrawal to German-occupied Norway, as part of Operation Birke (Birch). Despite a failed offensive landing operation by Germany in the Gulf of Finland, the evacuation proceeded peacefully at first. The Finns escalated the situation into warfare on 28 September after Soviet pressure to adhere to the terms of the armistice. After a series of minor battles, the war came to an effective end in November 1944, when all of the German troops had reached Norway or the border area and took fortified positions.
Theatre of war....
@Secret No it's not, bot.
Why tf did you put requested in ""? This was literally the case. Finland had to accept it or deal with all out annexation. They got lucky the Soviets went easy on them. Why the ""?
@@dwarow2508 Because it was less "requested" and more of "do it or you will die". It wasn't a request, it was a threat thinly-veiled as a request.
@@williamtheconqueror7807 Of course? Finns invaded the USSR with nazis and committed a ridiculous amount of war crimes, killing, imprisoning and starving local population to death, culminating with the St. Petersburg blockade. Of course it was an ultimatum.
This movie is like the lovechild of John Wick but directed by Tarantino in Inglorious Basterds style.
Also the best part is when he threw the mine into the soldiers face like a clown throwing a pie 😂
So as a 56 year old Finnish guy that’s been round the world for a few decades - thank you for covering this movie - makes me believe there are still some fun people out there 😊
Saw Sisu without watching the trailers only hearing that it was basically John Wick if he killed Nazis and it was sick. It’s basically a show don’t tell masterclass with some really over the top moments and no shortage of brutal kills. Heard there might be a sequel which I hope is not true cause I think it works well as a stand alone film.
It not impossible to make a new one but it may not be in the same tone, as it could be what happened before this one, showing how he became the incarnation of Sisu.
@search engine no
duuuuude nazi's brooooo sooooo original
Bad propaganda is always bad. XD
@@DeezNuggz true.
Glad to see the Finns still know how to deliver a good movie. Too bad Hollywood has buried itself in its own hubris.
Bad propaganda is always bad. XD
Talvisota and The Unknown Soldier are good.
You're lucky some of the other high-quality cinema from Finland doesn't make it outside the borders. LIke the one where our most glorious war marshal Mannerheim was turned into a gay centaur.
@@Isnogood12 damn, that sounds pretty bad.
@@Isnogood12 lol what?
How can a film be gritty, grounded AND over the top? this one was very special, loved every moment of it, the desolation, sheer hopelessness and badassery.
I'd love to see a modern film about Simo Haya, or just the Winter War in general. These guys seem to know what they're doing.
Already exists. Winter War. Old and new version. New version is quite....gritty.
Did you see the Unknown Soldier ?
I remember a story where the Finnish special ops wiped out an entire Soviet squad then propped them all up in casual positions like they were talking to each other or eating and let them freeze solid that way for the other Soviet soldiers to come across. Fucking savage.
Well a more realistic tank would be nice but I suppose they had a limited budget.
Terror of Morocco Aarne Juutilainen would be honestly more interesting story
Thank you non-Hollywood film makers for delivering an art form that we so desperately need. I never thought I would say this about an action film but it brings me a sigh of relief to see not every filmmaker is out to make shite.
Idk man this movie was kinda mid, it felt like a parody of John Wick 1
a place not yet steamrolled by wokeshit - greetings from finland.
If Old School Finnish death metal was a movie, it would have been SISU.
Lordi?
More like Abhorrence.
Love me some Lordi, though. :)
As cool as this might be, it is also just cr°nge to me. 😎 The real Naz°s were the deadliest soldiers of their time, at least armed. Dunno about unarmed.
And whenever a Movie comes out where they are basically on the level of StarWars Stormtroopers, then I am instantly bored.
The West has never proven to give the Naz°s the honor they deserve with authentic historical representation. They only exist to be killed of by almost superhuman badasses or guys with a very unrealistic amount of luck. 🥱 And this Movie too is clearly one such. Just that one scene were that guy stabs with a knife this thick through an entire skull. 😏🤗 This is not how real Human bodies work and this over-the-top exaggerated scenes feel like a comedy to me.
@@FreedomAndPeaceOnlyspotted the wehraboo
If historical revisionism was a movie it would be Sisu.
No, on a serious note...
It's quite amusing how, in modern times, Finland tries extremely hard to distract from the fact that they not only worked hand in hand with Germany (like many countries actually did), but also that they try to distract from the fact that it was Finland who attacked Germany after they agreed to leave Finland as the USSR demanded that action from the Finns.
Not nearly as noble or stoic as they always make themselves out to be, as they caved in to the demands of the Soviet Union after losing the Winter War.
When we saw the trailer for Sisu, my daughter & I both said "we need to see this when it comes out" ... and we did. No regrets! Would see it again in a heartbeat! Everyone we told to see it love it and agree: 100% Hit! Box Office Boffo!
Went to see this with my father when it came to theaters here in Finland. It's quite good: fun action not to be taken too seriously. The humour is pretty Finnish as well. The cinematography and soundscape was good. Glad to hear others enjoyed it as well.
Please explain finnish humour. Is Finnish humour laugh at the face of death and when all odds are against you?
@@chatteyj It's about never laughing out loud or admitting you're amused. You can laugh on the inside, but emotions are for being felt, not for being shown.
That and singing about Toyota Mark 2 being the most amazing car ever, right after Datsun 100A.
@@Isnogood12 Too cool for school, in other words. Apart from the car thing; that's weird.
@@chatteyj That is suggesting that Finn's laugh... Finn's have stoicism down to a fine art, to the point where they could genuinely tell you that something is absolutely hilarious, and be utterly sincere, but they never crack a smile...
Sisu immediately made it into my top ten favorite movies. I absolutely love when an actor can say so much without speaking at all just through facial expressions.
I recommend to you this movie "Dog bite dog (2006)"
@@jzsbff4801 AKCHUALLY they just didn't have the tech to add voice tracks, BGM came from live musicians sitting in the corner of the theater too.
@@jzsbff4801 Can't say you're wrong there.
...still kinda miss the times when Buster Keaton could literally drive a fucking train into a lake for the sake of a good shot :P
Thanks for covering this movie! As a Finn it´s unrealism of the protagonist refusing to die is kind of a satirical take on the Finnish word "Sisu" which translates to "perseverance in the face of any adversity". So he has so much Sisu in him that he cannot die, his determination alone keeps him alive! Edit: I see you covered this word in your video so I will go a little deeper why I think it´s a satirical take on it. There is this saying (more prevalent now with the boomer generation born after the war.) in Finland which goes:"Sisulla siitä selviää!" Which means:"Just have some determination and do it!". So by saying it you are just minimizing whatever the issue is and not really giving any valid answers to the problem. Of course it´s good to have perseverance in life but some ignorant people use the word "Sisu" to just staying ignorant and not really thinking about what the real issue is. So in this movie I think the main character exemplifies what the boomer generation means with it: Just be a superhuman and you´ll get through anything. I hope my point came across, English is my second language.
Definitely this
Honestly, after learning a fair amount about the Winter War the whole Sisu concept really has some validity to it.
@@ColoradoStreaming It´s nice to hear that you have read up on the winter war! Rest assured if Russia tries any of that shit again we are ready! Especially now since we are part of NATO.
You sound whiny. Never say die, grin and bear it, suck it up, etc are common sayings, at least for Caucasians. Measure twice, cut once is also common knowledge that together with perseverance have lead to great accomplishments. The Edison vs Tesla modes of innovation, but the difference is, normal men who are not genius can still succeed through work and effort.
Can being the operative word, if you're only interested in the sure thing, take a union government job and be grateful.
@@thisusedtobemyrealname7876Then you'll need the mentality of your ancestors who took Sisu to the extreme, just like the man in this movie.
I'm so impressed by the valor and perseverance they showed.
I LOVED THIS MOVIE.
It's now one of my favorite action movies
The moment I saw the title I knew it would be awesome. Finland has an insane sense of humour.
What a suspiciously white comment. You might want to consider that humor disproportionally affects historically marginalized moviegoers, and can be downright harmful to some people.
This movie feels like a cope to downplay Finland's involvement with Germany in WW2. Beyond this brief "Lapland War" in 1944 they were 100% in cahoots with Germany in trying to starve out Leningrad (St Petersburg)
@@hubertcumberdale2651 To be fair, they had a reason after Talvisota. They wanted their land back and revenge against the Soviets so its no wonder they joined Germany and invaded Soviet Russian in the Continuation War.
No joke, I still chuckle at the origins of both Molotov Cocktail and Molotov Breadbasket (bombs dropped by the Germans after Molotov said they would only be dropping supplies.)
@@hubertcumberdale2651 Hate for Russia > everything sometimes as history shows lol
An action movie ... like it was meant to be.
No needless drama or whining about how hard it is to be a hero.
No silly love story ...
just the hero, an objective ... and things to kill in all sorts of glorious over the top ways between those two.
Why can't we have more of this Hollywood ?
I think John Wick is the only one that ever came close to that classic 80's action movie style that didn't attempt to be more than it knew it was.
I think the term action movie evolves with the times,this isn't the 80s so I honestly don't expect Hollywood not to join the evolution
Because it was dumb af, with cartoonish action, breathing air in the slit throats of his victims ? Seriously ?
@@Thesavagesouls thats what makes it badass
@@hayashiii2717Or what a kid thinks is badass.
I don't even know if you can call him a hero. He just won't take shit from anyone.
My God. This looks so insane! And the fact that a low budget movie shot in the middle of nowhere with no dialogue puts Hollywood movies to shame is astounding. 😆
That's because Hollyweird has way too many no talent hacks and people who just fail upwards into powerful positions. (cough* cough* Kathleen Kennedy, to name a few.)
As an American, i miss movies like the old Rambo or Schwarzenegger action films. You've just introduced something to me that I know without a doubt I'm gonna have to give a look.
Sisu, the movie, is supposed to "border on the supernatural" because that's exactly what SIsu is. It's that ability to reach down deep in your soul and grab onto something that just can't be described or explained. Yeah, you don't quit. You show tenacity and grit. More than that, though, is the spiritual element that fuels you long after you should have burned out. Sisu is the manifestation of the divine warrior. In the movie, Sisu isn't fighting to recover his gold. While that seems the case, it's only the most trivial part. The real motivation is righteous vengeance against those who did wrong by him. It's about justice. He worked hard for that gold and someone took it from him without legal or moral authority. The bad guys represent the schoolyard bully just as much as they do the boot of government, petty bureaucrats, jumped up office employees basking in their perceived power even when they're nothing more than a HR monkey. Sisu represents the rage so many feel at being done wrong by those supposedly 'in charge'. Sisu is the rage that boils in us all, aching to lash out and destroy the wicked, to cleanse the world of the cancer around us. That's why it resonates with people so much. It's a movie that speaks to the Everyman. It's an expression of the anger simmering deep down in the core of good men everywhere who are tired of the wokeness and the blatant lies, the politicians laughing as they know they can do whatever they want and get away with the most egregious behavior. Sisu is what happens when folks have had enough, when they're tired of alway giving ground to a voracious enemy who just won't stop. That's why the movie grabs your attention. The spirit of sisu is calling, and it's only a matter of time before the call is answered.
Hot damn, that just gave me the motivation to parallel park a train.
So basically, he's a classic berserker set in the WW2 era?
I gotta dispute you a little here. You say it was taken without legal or moral authority, while at the same time these Germans, who had defended Finland's borders for years from the Soviets, were now being threatened and attacked by said Finn's until they were chased out of the country. I would say in this situation, to put yourself in these guy's shoes and imagine how they felt, probably as betrayed as someone could feel. Idk just my thought since I know the history behind this event.
Here’s some wisdom, as I can see you are very self-aware. As many other teachings you believe in from the Bible, such as “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”…..another is about this very topic. The Bible tells us to acknowledge this anger but to pass it to God, because not only does he have Righteous anger as well, it’s FOR US and much BIGGER then ours. He is also just much much more patient to go with it. So while there are actions to take in this world, do not hold onto that anger. Your heart of a warrior exists but it’s not for you to take revenge if it involves something terrible, but to give your complaints to God with all the emotion that goes with it. And that heart of humility and righteous anger moves Him as it would a kid to their parent as that very concept of kid/parent came from Him.
@@williampoole1742 they didnt do shit FOR the finns... whatever they did against the soviets, they did it for germany.
As a child of the 80's, I miss and appreciate this type of fare.
I illustrate movie posters for a living. This was one I was part of pitching on. To do that I had to watch a screener of it. Going into this with no expectations was the most fun movie experience I have had in years. It went from "this is compelling and beautifully shot," to "well this is intense," to "what the actual eff am I watching." So satisfying in the end.
Oh man thanx for highlighting SISU! This was such a breath of fresh air amongst Hollywood garbage! As a Finn sisu is lives in me/us and it was so much fun to see a niche part of our culture represented. In the movie there are fantastical elements sure, but in the end it's the story and the acting that truly make this movie. I have not met a single person who did not love this movie! I have been following you for a long time, so keep up Drinker! We appreciate your honesty! * MaCallan 18 cheers*
It sounds like watching Sisu is like finding a hammer with a nice hickory handle in a hardware store.
It doesn't plug in, it's not trendy, it won't win awards
But it's just what you need if it's what you were wanting.
Or an axe. I recently needed one to cut a stump out. I broke 3 of them from the local hardware store before they decided to stop giving me more of the same shit and just refund me
I saw this movie two weeks ago and I have a blast.
This movie is like John Wick meets Inglorious Bastards.
Absolutely. John wick of the WW2!
Inglorious Bastards is better.
@@makke4467 Bad propaganda?
@@ramonandrajo6348 Propaganda? What do you mean?
I'll say it's more like First Blood: Finnish
This film made me laugh more than any recent comedy. It's the perfect combination of glorious ridiculousness.
This was by far the most fun I had in the movie since Top Gun: Maverick. Wishing more of these types of action movies where the playing time (1 h 31 min) was the perfect length. Lots of good things to say about Sisu.
I saw the word "sisu" and knew exactly what this movie is. It's a singular Finnish word that doesn't quite translate to other languages the right way. It's just sisu. My grandmother used to describe the line of strong Finnish women in our family. Makes me smile.
It has many facets and means many things ranging from character or strength to being a stubborn asshole or arguing the opposite point on a seemingly uncontroversial subject just for the sake of doing it.
makes one wonder way not choosing any such in finnish elections
instead picking a liberal drug party babe 🤔🤔
Maybe a bit like Japanese Kokoro
@@szymonbaranowski8184 the "drug party babe" was not a party leader when we had those elections back in 2019. she became prime minister after her predecessor fucked something up.
Sisu isn’t a word, it’s Finland.
The place even the mighty Soviet Union fears
As a cinema nerd from Finland i gotta tell you, our movie scene went downhill FAST from the late nineties...
Hopefully this international recognition of SISU will inspire everyone else to get their shit together too!
Not going to happen. Such forms of entertainment will get FAR worse long before they get any better.
Just be thankful they didn’t decide to make Aatami a black female lesbian that twerks every time she rips apart another Nazi with her bare hands whose actress calls everyone who doesn’t watch the film “ Nazis “.
best Finnish film to me is the White Reindeer from the early 1950s - amazing film that as far as I can tell basically invented that 'folk horror' thing that's so popular today (and which people usually trace to British horror movies from the 1970s). Anyone didn't like this movie much sry - no reason to give a shit about anything happening, and the action wasn't compelling to me (the John Wick comparisons really do it no favors as it's nowhere close to that level). I know it had a low budget but it also felt like it. Funny seeing the most Finnish-looking dudes ever supposed to be German soldiers tho lol
It premiered on a Friday...being retired, I went to see the matinee showing..
I was the only one in the theatre...just me..and SISU...and lots of popcorn...
Had a great time. It isn't complicated or "hollywoodish"..and it's well worth going to see.
I wod have gladly joined u
More bad propaganda? Pass.
@@ramonandrajo6348 meaning Nazis bad ? Or what do u mean. Curious. The movie is good
@@ramonandrajo6348 propaganda for what? Good movies?
@@nadagabri5783 People know a lot about World War II, which has nothing to do with what the US has been writing about in those history books; this movie is just bad propaganda and nothing more.
I watched it, based on your recommendation (THANK YOU!), and it was a good one! Some of it REALLY pushed the border of suspension of disbelief.
Thanks for the review!
Drinker iff you haven't already I'd highly recommend you watch Mr inbetween. It's about an Australian man battling the life as a hitman and a loving family man built on strong morals. Scott ryan the main lead both stars and writes the story. His character is what a male role model should be, stays calm through every situation and you never want to disrespect him. It's a highly refreshing take on the positive effects of positive male role models that should be portrayed more in films as current trends include making the male star as dumb and clueless as possible.
That was a good series. Pretty dark, and still managed to be funny at times.
I was all in with this movie before the trailer was even halfway over. This is exactly the type of film I wish Hollywood was still capable of making.
I called him "Grampa Wick"
The movie IS a lot of fun, but I think it was perfectly done. gorgeous cinematography, great sound, gory but amazingly well done visual effects, characters were simple but good Definitely feels like it had a budget of over 1 mil.
My favorite line was when they called him "Immortal", and the girl says: " He's not immortal, he just refuses to die". just brilliant.
This movie is literally "Local Man Too Angry to Die"
Something that not enough people talk about in this movie is the cinematography. Every shot is intentional and has a purpose. The one word I could use to describe this movie when I left the theater was “Anticipation.” Every shot would hang on just long enough, and then BAM the action was quick, satisfying and visceral. There’s so many moments in this movie where the Nazis are just… waiting, trying to anticipate what this guys next move is, and then he acts so fast they don’t have enough time to react to it. But the shot composition is so sublime that we, the audience, are anticipating right along with them.
Your reviews are the stuff of legends. No filter, no BS, and zero fox given to who gets triggered. Cinematography, plot, storytelling, character arc and development. Only the things that make movies what they’re supposed to be. Tip my hat to you Drinker. Many thanks!
Sisu didn't only train John Wick. He also trained Hardcore Henry.
G. O. A. T.
I'd like to suspect he cribbed some notes from Doomguy and B.J. Blazcowitz in regards to the over- the-top Nutzi killing.
Hardcore Henry!!!!!!!! Love that movie. I just left a comment about "Nobody". Same guy made both. I'm 66. I consider HH one of the top 5 movies I've seen over the course of my life.
and the guy from ''the raid''
Meanwhile... had it been Chuck Norris, the Germans would have avoided eye contact and just kept going. 💯😆😉
I have a couple comments. You said the setting was chosen because it was easy to film in, and while it probably is, the setting is in fact historical. The events take place during the Lapland war. Finland had made peace with the Soviet Union in 1944, and the peace terms required Finland to eject their former German comrades in arms from the country. So, the Germans were not retreating from the Soviets, but from the Finnish army. Also, the war took place in Lapland, and the film was shot there as well. Finally, there actually have been gold rushes in Lapland, and miners worked at their claims even during the war. So, those parts of the setting are historically accurate.
While the Germans did resort to scorched earth tactics in reprisal for what they viewed as betrayal from the Finns, I have not heard of any civilians being murdered. Most of the civilian population was evacuated, and the Germans not only did not interfere, they sometimes even helped in it. The only civilian casualties I know of were from land mines, and these continued for decades after the war was over.
I am from Finland. My grandfather fought in Lapland.
Still, there was thousands of casulties on both sides (was none them a civilian...?), during the *Lapland War.* And nazis did use scorched earth tactics on massive scale, while fleeing to their safe place, i.e. Sweden.
@@eukariootti1
The point is that I doubt it was common practice to hang civies from signposts. I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened, but I doubt it was something they were ordered to do intentionally.
@@my9thaccount140 Correct, they had enough experience and issues with partisans in other countries I doubt making even more was their goal
A lot of people forget that the regular German Army, the Wehrmacht, were actually pretty honorable and didn't like or get along with the SS at all.
@@YTsux100pct._of-the-time. I have once been to an exhibition specifically about war crimes committed by the German Army. I still remember the photos of smiling soldiers posing next to civilians they had murdered. So, that happened too. In any case, there were SS-battalions stationed in Lapland, so this is not the explanation for the lack of civilian casualties.
I think what makes all the difference is that in Finland, the Germans were not retreating from occupied hostile territory, they were retreating from a former ally. Germans had lived with the locals for years, forming close relationships, even marriages. German propaganda had not spent years dehumanizing Finns, and accordingly the soldiers treated them as human beings. Yes, the Germans did raze Lapland, but there are stories of soldiers avoiding causing undue distress. In one anecdote, the soldiers waited for civilians to finish removing window panes from their house before burning it, because they had not been ordered to break them.
I'm not going to deny that there would have been any civilian casualties, because that does seem unlikely. I'm just saying I have never heard of deliberate murders taking place, so the scenes of civilians being hanged are most likely not historical in Finland.
Just watched this upon your recommendation. I was thoroughly impressed. Might just watch it again, immediately.
Just watched this film and absolutely loved every second. It honestly comes over as a Sergio Leone spaghetti western in WW2 dress. Eternal thanks for the recommendation...
Honestly this film felt like a well deserved breath of fresh air.
All of the lower budget movies I've seen the past couple of years have been amazing. I think part of the issue with marvel and disney is that they have practically no constraints on what they make, and thus try to substitute big extensive flashy lights and a-list actors for actual creativity. When you have some limitations, you're almost forced to be more creative because you have to do more with less.
So true 😊
Yep. Like George Lucas with Star Wars. The first film had budgetary constraints and Lucas couldn't just do whatever he wanted.
It's more like the bigger the budget the _more safe_ the makers are obliged to play because Corporate and Shareholders are risk-averse about their investment. That kind of checking-off-list can't but eat into the final product.
WOW. Sisu, huh? Well, alright then. Never heard of it. I'm definitely going to find and watch it. TYVM, Critical Drinker. And I stand with you in your ongoing battle against the 'Wokenites', as does most of America and the world. We fight the good fight and, together, we will win this battle.
I saw Sisu last night. It’s magnificent. If you like bloody action movies, you’ll love this one. Bonus pleasure is seeing beautiful landscapes of Finland. - Thanks for this review, Drinker.
But remember that less than 50% of our nature is tundra, its the lapland that is tundra and rest is forrests and lakes
@@007oskari Only the northernmost parts of Lapland past the "tree line" are bare tundra at that, most is _taiga_ terrain rife with forests of hardy conifers and boreal birch.
Very beautiful in a stark, rugged fashion but not very amenable to life.
I was at the premiere for this, and intro speeches from cast and crew were classically Finnish and understated (it being an international cast, of course). As a foreigner who has lived in Finland for over a decade, I think this is one of the finest examples of Finnish cinema. Just the right amount of OTT cliches, capped off by the perfect drop of wry, Finnish humour.
I love these kinds of plots. Fighting not for anything noble but just a little gold lmao. the extraordinary determination in the dude is inhuman
Not about the gold, it's about ownership and not bending the knee to evil of any kind or size
This film is just genius, I watched this when I had nothing else to watch and it was old fashioned action.
saw the trailer recently and was just blown away at how badass the movie looked. Will definitely try to catch it in theatres after seeing this video
Npc
I saw this movie twice and never realized sisu almost never said a word the whole movie until the end!!!!! It was awesome !!!! He didn't need to his actions alone said it all...
in martial arts, whenever a master has trouble perfecting the hardest combinations or techniques, they are generally seen to go back to the basics to slowly build up a different perspective and see what they can improve to achieve their goal. Sisu seems to be exactly that. It is not exactly a throwback to simpler times but a way to relearn what made the action genre fun in the first place. Our action movies nowadays aren't as fun as it used to be even with exorbitant funds and that is because they forgot the building bricks of the genre and substitute what is essential for what is supposed to be secondary.
This is the King of Action Movies, When the Drinker was born, he cut his own umbilical cord. You are legend! Thank You. Immensely.
I went with my cousin to watch John Wick 4. They played trailer for Sisu. Immediately we wanted to leave the cinema and go watch Sisu. That trailer was the most enjoyable thing this year so far.
You need to review "Rare Exports." Easily the best Christmas movie ever and made by the Finns. This dude is actually in it, too.
Rare Exports is in my top 3 Christmas movies like The Winter War is in my top 3 War movies.
Violent night, die hard, and it’s a wonderful life tie for best Christmas movie.
They definitely got the idea of sisu right, I’m a 5th generation Finn in Minnesota and we still use sisu to describe things like this, it was how I described John Wick. Glad to see what looks like a fun and entertaining solid movie come around!
Just watched it. I have to say thank you, without your recommendation I probably would never have even heard of this gem. This is what an action movie should be, wow. Holy crap. And, yeah they had a "girl power" moment and you know what? It fit perfectly with the movie and was NOT "the message" being pushed down your throat. Man, what a ride. Thanks!
This was so over-the-top that it was almost impossible for me to dislike. We need more movies like this. I loved it. 👍
Perfectly said. But best part was that all the "over the top stuff", was based in reality, just exaggerated for effect, whereas Hollywood it's just utterly bullshit unbelievable. .
The biggest problem with modern hollywood is that the studios have seemingly lost the willingness to just make a movie who's only purpose is to entertain you for 2 hours. Not every movie has to have a 'deep message' about 'the world we live in today'.... sometimes it can just be escapist fun for an afternoon
If modern hollywood put the 250 million dollars it pisses away on marvel sludge into 20 movies with the same attitude as this movie, maybe they'd actually turn a profit for once.
@@petriew2018 the thing is this isn’t just to entertain you. It’s propaganda. The trailer I saw when I was in theaters said if you want to see Nazis getting killed this is the movie for you.
Why would I want to see Nazis getting killed? I just want to see good movies. If they get killed that should be considered an afterthought not the point of the movie.
The fact that they marketed it that way means it’s a revenge fantasy. Just like the woman king which was a revenge fantasy against slavers.
Both of these are anti white movies. Unfairly white people who care about their own well being have become associated with slavers and Nazis.
Movies like this are made so that any white person who claims white people as a group are being treated unfairly can be associated with bad people like Nazis and slavers.
This channel points out the anti white agenda in Hollywood then completely misses on this one because he believes Nazis are different than white people.
In the minds of Hollywood they’re the same. And anytime you go against PC, woke or anything you are called a Nazi. I’m not even white and this happens to me.
You should look at Rare Exports (2010), it has the same lead actor but it's like a fun Christmas action movie
@@Doomin-c2m Thank you 🙂
The Western (as in cowboys) elements in this movie are great. The range from subtle to not so subtle cues in the title fonts, soundtrack, shot selection, and of course characters. Awesome movie.
surprise surprise - other nations used horses too :)
Sisu was refreshing. I felt it got a little eye rolling with the depths he was able to survive, but in the context of the story, he is a fairy tale... a myth. He provides hope to his people in a time when they desperately need it. The utilization of silence to create that feeling of isolation. Good movie, wish Hollywood marketed it better.
What a great movie. I haven't seen a movie like this in quite awhile. So simplistic yet I couldn't stop watching it even with the far fetched plot. Highly recommend.
Sisu is 10 out of 10! Stoic and brutal, and should be viewed in theatre
with a pint.
@Diesel Powered Turbo Faustus I had 2 mate!
The joke he made at the end about having to carry the heavy gold was priceless.
This is a great movie made as a movie should be. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spoilers, dammit.
I went to see it with a couple of vet buddies. Damn! It was a fun experience. We are still talking about it, whenever we get together or talk on the phone, even several weeks later.
I watched this movie having no idea what I was getting into. I really enjoyed it. The ending had me scratching my head asking myself what the hell did I just watch. Still enjoyed it.
Highly recommend:
Unknown Soldier (2017)
Its excellent and most importantly historically accurate Finnish ww2 movie. Brutally honest story about war, unity, courage and cowardice, and defeat with absolutely amazing characters and Finnish actors. The movie does not trying to fantasize war, violence or heroism it just shows how things went
I love your blunt, honest, gritty review style. You tell it how it is and make concepts understandable. You made me want to see Sisu even more than I wanted to already. It looks awesome and that's why I want to see it period. Keep up the great work.
I don't usually read reviews. The games/movies I like are all of the same genre, but your reviews make me want to tune in.
You give the vibe of "This is my opinion, I don't care if you agree!" Very refreshing.
Been watching the Drinker for a few years now, and I’d say you sum up his review style quite well!
@@0That_Guy0 Thanks
Just when I think cinema is dead, the Drinker comes through yet again. Thanks for the recommendations!
Dude, cinema isn't dead. It just Hollywood that has no soul. There will always be alternatives to that.
Thank you, Drinker!! I missed this at the movie house but will watch it streaming when the price goes down a bit. I can't wait!! I love Finns!!!