Pahat pojat

As I'm having a week of Finnish movies, I also watched this one. And I must say it was a way better than I expected (and I did expect a decent movie), actually it's the best Finnish movie I've seen on this special week of mine.

With all its well played and thus believable characters and their dialogs, an above average story, great camera work and the lack of stamps and cheap one-liners it surely is a great film experience.

I totally enjoyed the beginning and other parts concerning the father - though those scenes with their garbled filming and darker tones, background voices and echoes were more suitable for a horror movie and they weren't well balanced with the rest of it.

The usage of Finnish-only music was a good call as well.

I totally recommend it.

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.

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.

** / *****

Gosh how this is one of those films that have made me load negative prejudices in my mind and then after seeing it, I start lauging to those thoughts because they were so wrong. This movie was an utter pleasent suprise. Rarely there are such great Finnish movies as Pahat Pojat. I was so suprised. The actors were natural, fun and sympatic. Even Jasper Pääkkönen who I have never liked. I´ve changed my thoughts about him now. The women actresses weren´t so good but that didn´t matter as the boys did so good. And Vesa-Matti Loiri! Gosh, how horrible he was made. He did a fantastic job.

What I really liked in this movie was that it is so colourful. It has action, great dialogue, romance and the best thing: humor. I laughed every five minutes! It also gets very touching at times too. That´s good for an "explosition movie". Pahat Pojat is for young people. It is rough and action packed, also light, warm and funny. See it!

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!