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In 1946, after the end of World War II, Finnish ex-commando Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila), "the man who refuses to die", crosses into a Soviet-controlled part of Finland to his former home, where his family was brutally murdered during the war. Dismantling the house, Korpi loads the wood onto a truck with the intention of rebuilding it somewhere safe in their honour. When the Red Army learns about the border crossing, a KGB officer (Richard Brake) turns to Igor Draganov (Stephen Lang), the Soviet Red Army officer responsible for murdering Korpi's family. The KGB break Draganov out of prison to stop the legendary ex-soldier as he makes the dangerous journey towards the Finnish border with his precious cargo and beloved dog. Korpi soon begins slaughtering the soldiers who stand in his way, while Draganov remains committed to the cause, even sending bombers to kill the man who refuses to die.
Helander wastes no time here, briskly establishing the time period and observing a broken Korpi at his former home before the KGB send Draganov into battle. The action starts almost immediately, and Sisu: Road to Revenge hits the ground running with an extended chase that takes up the first two acts and rarely lets up. The first Sisu was all about simplicity, and this follow-up is equally simple, but the storytelling is nevertheless efficient and effective. Watching Korpi mourn his lost family is more powerful than any stretch of dialogue about the event could be, and it wordlessly establishes what has occurred. With Helander dedicating much of Sisu: Road to Revenge's brisk 85-minute running time to brutal, no-holds-barred action, the flick effortlessly recaptures the spirit of 1980s action cinema with more verve and boldness than modern Hollywood.
Visually, Sisu: Road to Revenge is extremely distinct, as it does not look like a bright, slick mainstream blockbuster. Instead, the cinematography is shadowy and moody, with skies looking dark and sullen. Plus, instead of looking clean and glossy, the picture carries actual grit, with a fine layer of grain coating the image, furthering the old-fashioned aesthetic. Helander was playing with nearly double the budget of the original Sisu (reportedly $12.2 million, as opposed to the original's $6-7 million), which allows for a broader scale and more mayhem, including aeroplanes pursuing Korpi's truck for a bit of variety, as well as a climactic showdown on a moving train. Helander largely relies on practical effects and stunts, including real locations and vehicles rather than relentless green-screen, though there is some mild digital enhancement that thankfully never proves distracting.
The action is the big draw here, and Sisu: Road to Revenge consistently delivers - the set pieces are astonishing here, and Helander continues to up the ante and stage engaging battles without it feeling repetitive or boring. Like its predecessor, the film is boldly R-rated, and Helander pulls no punches during the visceral bloodshed as soldiers are shot, stabbed, and maimed. There's also a touch of gallows humour that runs throughout the movie - in one scene, for example, Draganov obliterates a hapless soldier in his vehicle and simply uses the windscreen wipers to wipe away the blood spray. Some of the action is ridiculously over-the-top, such as a moment with a tank jumping over a barricade, but it's all delivered with tongue firmly planted in cheek.
Korpi remains an impossibly strong force of nature who cuts his way through scores of anonymous soldiers in increasingly creative ways, and always comes out on top. However, there are still subtle vulnerabilities to the character, and he certainly does not execute everything perfectly. Jorma Tommila is note-perfect in the role once again, convincingly handling the physical action scenes and the poignant emotional moments without uttering a single word. One must also commend the adorable dog, alongside Tommila, who endures a lot throughout the film. The most recognisable addition to the cast here is Stephen Lang (Avatar, Don't Breathe), who's sinister and authoritative as the villainous Draganov. Meanwhile, terrific and distinct character actor Richard Brake (Game of Thrones, Barbarian) also submits a memorable performance as a KGB officer.
It's easy to see why Helander landed the job of helming the upcoming Rambo prequel - the action throughout Sisu: Road to Revenge is gloriously old-fashioned in its simplicity and brutality, while the director also effectively uses outdoor environments to stage compelling set pieces. For genre fans, Sisu: Road to Revenge is a home run - a thrilling, exhilarating action flick that deserves a spot on the Blu-ray shelf right next to the first Sisu. Count me in for any further sequels.
8.3/10
