Pahat pojat

When you take off the nice explosions and the "this is based on a true story but we just don't admit it"-attitude this doesn't give much.

There are all the basic elements of a film here, but the story telling as a whole just doesn't work. I guess they haven't heard about timing when doing this film, it's just action from the beginning to the end. No climax, no peaceful scenes. Just when you think you can really concentrate on the characters they throw some action on the screen again. It suffocates the relations between people and gives very one-sided view of the characters.

The action is mostly like "hey we could do this and this" and I found most of it unnecessary. There are also good things in this film though. It was partially filmed in my home town and it's always nice to see some places you know well. Also the director Aleksi Mäkelä's father showed in two or three scenes. The boys had trained their muscles very well and looked good. If I had been turned on by those sixpacks I would probably have gotten much more out of this film. Vesa-Matti Loiri was ok.

Aleksi Mäkelä has made some attempts to make a big budget action film in Finland and this film is a good practice ground, but it doesn't convince me yet. Hope he will some day make something really thrilling and new, not just average material mostly copied from Hollywood action films. It was also a bit fun to see Finnish businessmen, known of very different relations, producing the film. This is not only a film, it is also an investment. If I had to describe this with one sentence I would probably say: Finnish big budget action films have come and succeeded. Go watch it if you like but don't expect too much.

Pahat Pojat (Bad Boys translated in english) was marketed as a bad ass action movie here in Finland. And the gayish poster (the four lead male characters posing topless with their sweaty sixpacks shining) hinted of the toughness to come. First, the four men turned out to be complete idiots in the film (they rob a safe full of cash, but spent most of it on lottery tickets). Second, the hollywoodish action scenes (few and far apart) REALLY don't fit too well mixed into the conventional finnish filmmaking. They feel like fishes out of water. There's one very good thing though.. Vesa-Matti Loiri playing the boys' father. The best turn he has ever made in his career and he didn't even get nominated for a Jussi (local Oscars). Truly a shame. So all of you foreingers.. don't believe the hype. Try to find films like "Rukajärven tie", "Nousukausi" or "Joki" instead.

** / *****

I'm really angered by those who have posted degrading comments about this movie here. If you don't know know JS about cinema, it's your problem, right? Pahat Pojat being Hollywood-style could only be said by someone who's completely film-illiterate, or a young child. The story reminds a little bit of Hollywoodish stories, but then again, it's a true story so hush. It's also absolutely incorrect that this movie only applies to teenagers. The only thing I agree about those invalid comments is that, the "father" acts perfectly. He's so genuine that I wanted to punch him and then puke on his face. The character disgusted me that much. Congratulations for such an excellent acting! I think the young guys and their girls are also doing a great job. But the prize for the best actor goes to Eero. I've never seen such a perfect "weird young guy" depiction anywhere!

The FX at the explosion scene was really lousy, and that's disappointing to see in such a great movie. All in all, Pahat Pojat is a great movie, and I can recommend it to anyone who wonders how a movie would be with a Hollywood-like story but a European crew. It's totally comparable to Kaurismäki's The Man Without A Past. Weaker in terms of art, but much more entertaining. Yes, see it!

The best movie I've seen this far.

Music well chosen.

Awesome actors! Loiri is Oscar-worthy but won't get any consideration :(

Overall a very good effort by everyone on a high-class script.

This movie has it all, hot women, great storyline, awesome actors, fast cares, hardcore action, pace, humour(lots of it), Vesa-Matti Loiri, violence, insanity and is very perfect filmographically.

Very well casted actors, especially brothers & father was a perfect fit.

Never a dull moment, there is always something happening.

If I have to say something bad.... Then it is the role of them being laestadian that got downplayed and only was visible in the beginning where as in real life it was a huge reason for their acting like they did.

It may irritate Finnish viewers by its un-Finnishness, perhaps it was intended by the creators. I guess they were trying to appeal to American and wider Europe and, in my view, they succeeded. This movie may particularly appeal by its unamerican flavour to the audiences used to American movies. The father of the boys comes across as quite a menacing character who at the end gets what he deserves. A bit simple but don't expect any depth from this movie. It is though based on a true story doesn't make an impression to be "real" It is just pure entertainment. Not each of the boys is equally well developed as a character but the main the youngest one, who has a separate story line, falling in love, is OK.