Sisu 2

Ok, we can all agree many successful journeys-to-wherever narratives ratchet up the action sequences to crescendo into bigger, better, bloodier, and Sisu 2 is no different. You'll enjoy the passing of each chapter, just so long as you don't think too much about logistics or motivations. The largely dialogue-less screenplay benefits from zero zingers and relies on the emotive countenance and eyes. Grunts, groans and growls aside of course. In short, this is a good use of your movie viewing capital as it delivers a well-paced tale of loss, struggle, and sweet, sweet - and yes, very bloody (though not overly gruesome) - revenge.

The first Sisu was a huge surprise for me. I enjoy action films, but I don't usually connect with this rougher, hyper-stylised subgenre that lives off pure excess and endless brawling. Still, the original won me over with its balance between cartoonish violence, tight pacing and that lone-wolf Western attitude that made it stand out. And the funny thing is that, until recently, I didn't even know a sequel was being made. I went in blind, just hoping for the same madness as before.

The truth is that Sisu: Road to Revenge pushes that madness even further. So far, in fact, that it sometimes slips into almost cartoon-level absurdity. There are at least three scenes that cross that line: one involving a warplane, another with a tank and one where the character literally rides a missile. All moments that made me think "sometimes, less really is more". It doesn't ruin the experience, but it does take away that sense of brutal plausibility that the first film still managed to hold onto.

For anyone who likes unfiltered action, the film gives you everything it promises and then some. It's fists, bullets, chases and explosions from start to finish, without a single pause to breathe. The narrative is as simple as expected: we follow the protagonist played again by Jorma Tommila, now hunted by Soviet soldiers, one of whom carries a particularly cruel connection to his past. And honestly, that's all the story needed. Unlike franchises like John Wick, which kept expanding their mythology to the point of unnecessary complication, Sisu stays direct and focused. That straightforwardness is probably the main reason I've become a fan of this saga.

In the end, Road to Revenge is fun, visceral and fully aware of the kind of spectacle it wants to deliver, even when it goes beyond the limits of what makes sense. It's slightly weaker than the original because it loses some of the surprise factor and the restraint that made the first one so special, but as a cinema experience it's still a glorious little festival of chaos. I left satisfied, feeling it achieved exactly what it promised: pure entertainment.

The movie is still really entertaining, don't get me wrong. Jorma Tommila is just as phenomenal as he was in the first movie, and brings his A game. He's able to convey so much emotion without saying a word.

Where the movie lost me a little though is how absurd some parts were. The first movie had absurdity too, but it still felt at least somewhat grounded. In this movie, it felt like they were trying to harness some Mission Impossible with some of the set pieces. I found that less compelling. I also felt like the main character was dumbed down a little bit. In the first movie he's incredibly intelligent and cunning, and while he makes mistakes he feels like this unstoppable force of nature. Here, he makes a lot of really questionable decisions, and doesn't really feel as "scary" as he did in the first movie.

I seem to be in the minority though, and even with those complaints, the movie was still really entertaining. There's some really fun action scenes, and it's a tight 90 minutes that doesn't drag. I think it's at least worth a watch!

Lots of over the top action? Yup. Blood? Yup. Vengeance is on the menu? Yup. Story? Well, kinda. 😂. But you don't go to see a dialogue heavy storyline. You aren't getting a a deep narrative. Guns, bombs, beheadings, and bombast. And I loved it! It's better than the first film and I really loved that film. I just wished it was about 20 minutes longer. All in all, go see it. It's a visceral film.

First, I loved Sisu 2 for what it is. Pure absurd action entertainment.

Second, even the tiny plot, this second part can entertain as much as the first one.

Last, keeping in mind the budget, it is a great action movie. I give them credit for that. To add, I love they didn't abuse of CGI, some great old school tricks included here.

So, overall great entertainment with not great acting or story, but with tons of gory action and entertainment.