Big Game (Blu-ray)

Directed by Jalmari HelanderWritten by Jalmari Helander and Petri JokirantaStarring Samuel L. Jackson, Onni Tommila, Ray Stevenson, Memet Kurtulus, Jorma Tommila, Ted Levine, Victor Garber, Feiicity Huffman, and Jim Broadbent.“The forest is a harsh judge. It gives in it’s own measure. You have to know how to listen to it. And you must fight tooth and nail for the prey. You’ll get nothing for free from here!”A 13 year-old Finnish boy, Oskari Kontio (Omni Tommila), is taken by his Father, Tapio (Jorma Tommila), into the mountains of Northern Finland, where he is to undergo a traditional rite-of-manhood ritual that many of the young men in his village have undertaken previously. Oskari must spend 24 hours in the forest and kill a deer using only a bow-and-arrow. Oskari’s efforts are disrupted when a jet plane crashes in the forest, that turns out to be Air Force One. He finds an escape pod with the still living President Of The United States, William Alan Moore (Samuel L. Jackson), inside. The President’s plane was brought down by Morris (Ray Stevenson), a turncoat Secret Service agent working with a rich, psychopathic big game hunter, Hazar (Mehmet Kurtulus), who wants the POTUS as a trophy, stuffed and mounted, of course. Oskari and President Moore must work together as they are pursued through the forest, buying themselves time until a U.S. Seal Team arrives to rescue them. Moore doesn’t realize there are unknown forces at work, playing an even bigger game against him.Big Game is director Jalmari Helander’s sophomore theatrical effort following his acclaimed 2010 Christmas fantasy/horror film, Rare Exports. In an interview, he cites films such as Cliffhanger, First Blood, the Indiana Jones films, and E.T. as inspiration. I can see all of those influences while I viewed Big Game, and more. The film actually references an infamous gag from the fourth Indiana Jones film. The film is also a bit of a family affair as Jorma Tommila who plays Oskari’s Father, Tapio, is Onni’s father in real life. Director Helander is Onni’s Uncle.Samuel L. Jackson seems to be having a great time playing President Moore, and playing him as a normal, regular guy with no combat skills, not a superhero, and gets his ass handed to him several times during the film. I may be wrong, but this seems to be the most normal guy Jackson has played. As The POTUS, he’s an essentially decent man, the antithesis of the usual badasses he’s played in the past. He’s got great chemistry with Onni Tommila, who plays Oskari. I’d read he agreed to do Big Game because he loved Rare Exports. I’d also read Jackson had only one request in taking the role, that he’d get to kick a bad guy in the balls.Onni Tommila was the young star of Rare Exports and he’s really good in this. His performance is what anchors the film and a testament to his talent that he holds his own working with Jackson, particularly a campfire scene where they talk about personal courage.Ray Stevenson (Volstagg, in the MCU Thor films. Punisher: War Zone, Rome) plays Morris, the disgruntled Secret Service agent who sells out President Moore to Hazar. Morris is being forced into early retirement after taking a bullet for the Lame Duck POTUS, Moore. Mehmet Kurtulus’s villainous Hazar is kind of a melding of Hans Gruber, by way of Count Zaroff (from The Most Dangerous Game). Kurtulus seems to be channeling his inner Leslie Banks, down to his dark leather-jacketed hunting garb.The films cuts away to scenes in the Pentagon with members of the President’s cabinet filled with familiar actors like Victor Garber (Titanic) as the Vice President, Ted Levine (Silence Of The Lambs, Monk) as a General, Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives, Frasier) as the head of the C.I.A., and Jim Broadbent (Hot Fuzz) as a C.I.A. field operative. If anything, I felt the film could have used less of the Pentagon stuff, because it takes you away from Oskari and President Moore’s plight.I’ve gotta say, I really liked the score by Juri and Miska Seppa. It really captures the feel of a big Hollywood film. I’d buy this in a heartbeat, but it does not seem to be available for purchase.I picked up the DVD for Big Game as an impulse buy at Amoeba Music in SF, because one of the employees wrote on the packaging, “from the director of Rare Exports.” I had not seen Rare Exports, but I was very aware of it and heard good things. I’m glad I picked up Big Game, as I found it to be an entertainingly fun mash-up of Die Hard, The Most Dangerous Game, with a dash of Day Of The Jackal. Maybe a pinch of Air Force One. Big Game’s short run time of 87 minutes is an asset, so the film doesn’t wear out it’s welcome. The film has been described as capturing an 80s and 90s action movie vibe, and it certainly achieves that.Big Game is considered to be the most expensive film made in Finland, at a cost of 8,500.000 Euros (10 million U.S.) It’s a good looking film with some nice cinematography (actually filmed in the Alps). The digital work is pretty accomplished, despite some shaky CGI work on some helicopters. The film is considered to be more family-friendly, though there are some gruesome deaths in one particular scene. No harsh language except for a traditional use of the word “motherf****r by Jackson, which is partially muffled in the rated version. Unexpurgated in the unrated version.Big Game is over-the-top fun, with a strong emotional core in the scenes with Omni Tommila and Samuel L. Jackson. If you’re a fan of 80s films like The Goonies, or The Monster Squad, this might be your cup of Finnish tea. I love discovering small gems like this.One final thing to consider. Big Game cost around $10 million U.S. That’s but a tiny fraction of what a Hollywood blockbuster costs. What’s the craft services budget on Avengers: Endgame? The film looks great, has decent action beats, with an emotional character arc, and a tight run time. You’d think Hollywood could take a cue from this…but I’m not holding my breath.Though I watched the DVD, I learned there was a reasonably priced blu-ray available, so I ordered it. The blu-ray has an unrated version that runs 92 minutes. The 87 minute version is also streaming on Amazon Prime.Written by Greg Espinoza (8/23/2021)

Ok.. ok.. Yes the name is pretty lame.BUT!This movie is a coming of age story and the bond between father and son.And while the story has been told many times. This has to be the most unique take on it I've ever seen.Great acting from SLJ and Ray Stevenson and surprisingly great acting from the very young Onni Tommila.Give it a watch. I think you might like it!

Not a jackson fan but I loved his portrayal of the pres. and no crap like his Tarintino character.

very entertaining and fun moviethis went under my radar of action movies ...glad i found it... over the top fun hilarious sequences and feel good moments ... remember diehard 2? same action twist and turns with a warm end

No, you don't really want your young son to go up against international government mobsters, but it is a good story about a kid using his wits to overcome huge obstacles, like any hero story. Very good. Will watch with my tiny grandsons one day.

It is a super fun movie. I love the interactions between the “President” and the kid.

This is one of those overlooked gems. It's a story that's geared for a younger audience. But it's mature enough that anyone could enjoy it.If you're looking for a "family flick", this should fit the bill. No cussing, bare breasts or other body parts. Just a clean, fun movie. Not a comedy, but some of the dialog between the principles will put a smile on your face. And, not to worry. There's more than enough action to satisfy anyone. And all of it, not the usual .... blast everything on the screen out of existence either. And that "freezer". All I can say is they don't build 'em like they did in the past.The interactions and relationship that develops between the president ( Jackson ) and Oskari ( young male lead ) is really fun to watch. There's more than enough story line and plot to satisfy folks of all generations.And the MOUNTAIN VIEWS and scenery are just out of this world. If you like mountains and magnificent views, watch it just for that. Not filmed in Finland, where it's supposed to be taking place. The director needed/wanted mind boggling scenery and filmed the outdoor scenes in the Austrian Alps.A enjoyable winner for me. I like the story, actors, and locations.Buy it used or new .... you probably won't regret it.

This was an action filx, I enjoyed watching

This film keeps your attention & not once do you feel like hitting the fast forward button. The late Ray Stevenson plays a badly with a sense of humour.

Der Film ist super

PELICULA CON MUCHOS EFECTOS DE SONIDO ESPECTACULARES MUCHA ACCION MUY BUENOS PAISAJES PARA PASAR UNA TARDE CON PALOMITAS EN CASA MUY ENTRETENIDA

Il es en anglais déçu 😞 😞 😞 😞 😞 😞 😞 et le DVD le dernier cheyenn 🥶🥵🥵🥵merci de faire le nécessaire pour que je puisse le voir en français

bonjour , très bon film mai dommage qu'il soit en ESPAGOL un peut dessuset merci pour le remboursement qui a été très rapide , je voudrez le recommande mai j'hesite bien CORDIALEMENT