Sorjonen: Muraalimurhat

Just as I finished the last episode of the third season of Bordertown, I saw that there was a new movie to keep things rolling. I was very pleased. While I was sad that Bordertown ended, as it was extremely good, with its twists and turns and great acting, Mural Murders was just a little quick to end for me! I loved it and did miss some of the regulars but my absolute favorite was there front and center! Ville Virtanen, is an amazing actor and I would love to see more Kari Sorjonen anytime in the near future! If you enjoyed the three seasons of Bordertown, you have to watch this movie!

,this is utterly preposterous. Did they honestly believe they could lift the Lecter/Buffalo Bill storyline and supplant it ( poorly ) in Finland ? Police procedures right of the window, a serial killer uncuffed in a school hall. Poor outing this one and it's quite obvious that the budget has gone, hence the reason there would no series 4. Disappointed.

Some good things happened in this follow up film, like Lena acting like a human being towards Katia and Janina not being an absolute weirdo. But a lot of nonsensical things that stretched the possible just to allow the plot to develop. Decent acting and storyline resolution.

If you haven't seen the three seasons of Bordertown, I can't imagine this movie making any sense. Even having seen the prior series, the plot in this one is so ludicrously bad it beggars belief.

Firstly, the most compelling reason to watch Bordertown is Ville Vertanen (Kari Sorjonen) who is compelling to watch. An absolute virtuoso. He looks a lot like Steve McQueen would have looked at 65 (although Vertanen is younger than that). The character he and the writers have created is wholly unique and compelling.

Then, there is the character of his daughter, Janina (Olivia Ainali), whom I could not stand in the original series. Her arrogance and moralizing and telling everyone what was wrong with them was frustrating. She is coddled, spoiled and indulged by both her parents. When the boy, in the series, knocked the snot out of her, after being repeatedly bullied, I cheered. This movie has toned her down a lot. She is not nearly so annoying.

The mysterious Lena (Anna Sinisalo) is back and is as much of a mystery as ever.

The problem with this movie and the reason it has lower reviews than the series, is the absurd plot. No police agency would ever let a no-nothing child interview a renowned and highly-dangerous serial killer, like Maasalo (Sampo Sarkola) and then agree to allow him to address a class in person. Then, the height of incredulity, the police allow this child to make the decision on removing his restraints. Then, the idiots transport this lethal killer, not in the back of an armored van, but in the backseat of a car. The back-up car is trailing so far behind they cannot see the car with the serial killer. When they finally arrive, this 'crack' SWAT team, heavily armed and armored, go into this ridiculous maneuver designed to get them killed.

The ending, however, when Kari takes matters into his own hands, was very satisfying.

As much as I loved Bordertown in the form of TV series (all 3 seasons), the movie didn't do much for me. The script is trite, and even though there was an attempt to mimic the slow burning manner of the TV show, it was difficult to cram it into the 11 minutes... Nevertheless, 5 stars for another superb acting performance my Mr. Virtanen, a true master of his craft.