Having previously stumbled upon and sampled the soundtrack, I finally sat down to watch “Sisu,” a Finnish-American war action film. Set amidst the Lapland War in 1944 during World War II, the narrative centers on Jorma Tommila, a retired Finnish legend known as the “Invincible” who, after striking gold in his post-military prospecting days, is ambushed by Nazis while transporting his findings to a nearby town. Tommila’s character is ruthlessly divested of his gold, which sets the stage for a one-man retribution against the entire Nazi platoon.
“Sisu” is directed by Jalmari Helander, known for his action-adventure “Big Game” (2014) where Samuel L. Jackson donned the mantle of the American president. Helander’s filmmaking prowess was also showcased earlier in the commendable holiday action-comedy, “Rare Exports.” In “Sisu,” dialogue is scarce; instead, the film offers a relentless barrage of action, its brutal yet straightforward execution invoking an exhilarating thrill. Tommila’s invincible persona (aptly named Aatami) mirrors the likes of Denzel Washington in “The Equalizer” and Keanu Reeves in “John Wick.”
The presence of Nazis and the war backdrop is essentially inconsequential; “Sisu” is fundamentally a modern, steroid-infused homage to the Spaghetti Western genre. This sentiment is echoed by Juri Seppä and Tuomas Wäinölä‘s impressive soundtrack, embodying the film’s spirit through its music. The score, marked by distorted guitars and robust modern synth lines, firmly serves as the backbone of a composition reminiscent of Ennio Morricone’s work. The conspicuous incorporation of choirs pays unmistakable homage to the genre. As the credits roll, the soundtrack leans further into the Spaghetti Western aesthetic, perfectly encapsulating the essence of this cinematic ride.