Big Game – Jalmari Helander, 2014

Like every boy in his remote mountain village Oskari (Onni Tommila) has to become a hunter on his thirteenth birthday. Even though he can’t even bend his bow properly he rides a quad into the wilderness to make his first kill. At the same time the president of the United States (Samuel L. Jackson) is flying over Finland. The Air Force One gets hit by terrorists and the president manages to get into an escape pod and leave the plane. The pod crashes in the middle of the forest, but before the terrorists can get to him he is found by Oskari. The president demands to be taken to the nearest village, but the young archer can’t show up there without a catch. Time is running out for both of them and soon Oskari will have to make a choice.

Samuel L. Jackson and Onni Tommila in Big Game

This film is by the same team that also made Rare Exports, which I liked a lot. Big Game has the same trademarks: really cool actors, nice special effects, a ridiculous story and lots of over the top action sequences. Although the film is technically a typical action movie it also has a laid-back and self-aware feel to it. On top of that the Finnish charme aside with the unusual setting make for a refreshing experience. I’m probably not gonna re-watch it any time soon, but if you like over the top action and dark humor you should definitely give it a shot.