Big Game (2014) User Reviews

Cliffhanger meets 80's Spielberg...

[kepotaz · 6/10 · 21 March 2015]

...in this relatively small budget Finnish* action adventure movie starring Samuel L. Jackson. (It's a small budget movie in Hollywood standards - with measly 9 million dollars (8,5 million euros) - but manages to be the most expensive Finnish movie today.)

(SIDE NOTE: No plot is discussed in this review - because you can find the plot summary elsewhere (look up), also because I don't think the plot of the movie is really important in this case.)

Big Game is unapologetically old school (that school being founded in 80's Hollywood) in it's aspirations. There's non of the grittiness and wannabe-maturity or seriousness of recent Hollywood action movies targeted at younger audience (like Hunger Games, Man of Steel etc.). There's direct references to 80's Spielberg movies like E.T. and Indiana Jones, but the movie it resembles most is Cliffhanger, the mountaineering action from 90's starring Sylvester Stallone. It's no coincidence since Cliffhanger was directed by the first and so far only (but not for long, seems like it) Finnish-born Hollywood action director Renny Harlin, and the writer-director of Big Game, Jalmari Helander (whose second feature film this is), Finn himself, was a young man dreaming of becoming a filmmaker when Harlin had his heyday in late 80's and early 90's with movies like Die Hard 2 and Cliffhanger, and Harlin was a big deal in Finland (and I guess in Hollywood too) at that time (not so much anymore).

Big Game is a love letter to the movies of Helander's youth. Usually there's certain amount of self-consciousness in backwards looking projects like this, but Big Game is no parody or ironic postmodern pastiche (or something). Helander takes it seriously (without being too serious). Yes, it's predictable, clichéd and formulaic but at the same time heartfelt, joyous and mostly fun (also relatively short with 90 minutes with no really dragging moments), and part of the fun comes from being familiar with the tropes the movie plays with and the willingness to embrace them earnestly**.

It's a film made by someone who watched Hollywood action movies as a kid and played the scenes of those movies in forest with his friends with sticks as machine guns*** and Big Game is direct continuation of that kind of childlike attitude to movies. It's not a film for the more jaded viewer who wants to be surprised with something completely unseen before or who wants "believable" action or more mature or gritty touch from his/her action and adventure movies. Helander made a movie that he loved watching in his childhood and that's both the strength and the weakness of the movie. What are your feelings towards these kinds of old school action movies and whether you are willing to embrace the cliché and take a more childlike perspective to the movie will probably determine whether you will appreciate Big Game or not.

I personally thought it was fun to watch, even if it didn't bring anything really new to the table (in fact it found the old leftovers and served them with fresh dressing). Movie like this could be really stiff and boring if done poorly (it has actually pretty impressive action scenes with such small budget), or armpit-fartingly tryhard and unfunny (Snakes on a Plane), but thanks to the cast - especially Samuel L. Jackson ("Get these *beep* terrorists out of these *beep* Finnish mountains!)**** and young Onni Tommila whose unexpected relationship carries this movie through the more cliché-ridden landscapes - and the earnestness of the director, it managed to breathe some life into the already-done-to-death tropes of the genre and gave the world what it didn't know it needed: Spielberg-flavored Renny Harlin!

6/10 (little above average, fun to watch)

*Co-produced with UK and Germany and shot in Germany, with largely German crew.

**Clichés are not clichés (used too often) without a reason. Usually they were effective and cool the first few times but later became overused and too familiar. In a movie like Big Game you sort of have to be willing to see the original power of the cliché and let go of the impulse of trying to outsmart the movie. In short: it requires a childlike perspective. (Of course every bad movie would seem better with childlike, i.e. uncritical, perspective, so forget what I just wrote and see for yourself.)

***DISCLAIMER: This might've never happened, but it feels like it.

****There actually is no mountains in Finland.

Absolutely ridiculous ... Perhaps I'm too serious :)

[peterp-450-298716 · 1/10 · 16 July 2015]

"Not political, not religious. He is just a certified grade-A psychopath."

I thought "Why the hell not ?" after seeing the poster of "Big Game". An adventure film, clearly aimed at a younger audience, with Air Force One crashing down somewhere in a Finnish forest and with the US president trying to saving himself with the help of a Finnish boy who just happens to undergo a local ritual so he can prove himself to the male population. And after I saw that Samuel L. Jackson also took part in this movie as the missing president, I didn't hesitate for a second. It's true that Jackson played some minor roles before this ("Oldboy", "Reasonable Doubt" and "Robocop"), yet I was pleasantly surprised by his last performance in "Kingsman: The secret service". So I went on the assumption that this was going to be a likable youth film, full of unabashed and not too far-fetched action.

Boy oh boy. I didn't expect this to be such a crappy movie full of improbabilities, ridiculous situations and coincidences. Admittedly, it's indeed aiming for a younger audience, filled with teenage boys, who can have nice dreams that same night after watching such a film and imagine themselves acting as such a hero. But I'm convinced that most of them will shake their heads out of disapproval, while wondering if the makers of this film actually were convinced that they are really so naive.

First lets start with the positive aspects. The scenery is matchless and breathtaking beautiful. I had no idea that Finland looked like that and I was tempted immediately to choose this country as a destination for my next holiday. Onni Tommila, a youthful Finnish actor, performed properly and does his job as the Finnish guide Oskari remarkably well. The entire film is clearly a homage to earlier films with youthful heroism as a central theme. It's a kind of film like "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" in which Short Round plays a prominent role or a typical Spielberg film like "Empire of the Sun". It brings back the nostalgia of fathers going to the cinema with their son to enjoy a cool film for guys. A prerequisite for such films is that the youthful contribution should smoothly transcend the ingenuity of the adults. In other words, the adults are presented as utter fools.

What bothered me the most about this movie, were the totally absurd situations that arose. I admit, when you look at it from the perspective of a young person and you don't take it too serious, it comes across as an entertaining movie. A sort of "Home Alone" in a forest, where you're always a bit smarter and faster than the bad guys. But there are limits. Firstly I would like to purchase the brand of freezer they used here, because I think this high-tech-wonder-equipment is indestructible. Swinging under a helicopter, mowing through the woods, tumbling from a mountain, splashing into a lake and afterwards popping up out of the water like a purebred Russian submarine. And this "undamaged" ! Now that's what I call solid quality. But beware ! Make sure you don't end up inside this miracle appliance, because apparently it can't be opened from the inside. The number of accidental meetings is huge. Coincidentally, the probe with the POTUS is landing where Oskari made his camp. The freezer pops out of the water where Air Force One incidentally crashed. And you just need to follow a suspicious helicopter on satellite, and you end up looking at POTUS. The criminal Hazar (Mehmet Kurtulus) apparently isn't such a hot-shot criminal afterall, because he doesn't even know how to load an automatic rifle. And the way the satellite images are used in the Pentagon to follow the president, is just hilarious.

I admit, It shouldn't always be that serious and occasionally a lightly youth film is also welcome, but there are limits to follies and ridiculous situations. As a boy I'd fall for this blindly. But as an adult, who started watching this film unprepared, it gradually began to annoy me more and more because of the series of stupidities. The final image full of patriotism and heroism ultimately, was a bit too much for me.

You gotta cock it, Motherf …. Oops.

More reviews here : http://bit.ly/1KIdQMT

Pure, uncomplex and straightforward action entertainment

[Coventry · 7/10 · 5 January 2018]

In 2010 Jalmari Helander delivered one of the oddest but simultaneously most ingenious and refreshing horror movies of the new millennium with "Rare Exports". The success of that film was clearly big enough for him to get noticed in Hollywood and take a shot at making a large-budgeted blockbuster with A-listed actors. We see this happening a lot, by the way: young and creative non-American directors are plucked from their native countries after barely one hit and lured to Hollywood where their careers usually obstruct quickly because they are only allowed to direct lame remakes. But this is where it differs with Helander! Instead of going to Hollyood, Helander brought Hollywood to his beloved Finland for what is one of the most enjoyable, straightforward and unscrupulous action/adventure movies of the '10s. The story is simple yet delightfully far-fetched and over-the-top: 13-year-old Oskari is in the middle of performing a traditional Finnish manhood ritual when Air Force One gets shot out of the air on its way to Helsinki and crash-lands near the boy's hunting turf. Oskari rescues President William Alan Moore from his escape pod and swears to guide him back to civilization before his assailants find him and finish the job. "Big Game" has a couple of strong trumps, namely the chemistry between young Finnish actor Onni Tommila and veteran actor Samuel L. Jackson (in another fresh and surprising choice of role), the magnificently breath-taking Finnish filming locations (although largely filmed in Germany) and the purity of the screenplay. I love how Helander doesn't dive too much into themes like terrorism or overly convoluted conspiracy theories but opted for good old-fashioned and pulpy spectacle. Jackson's portrayal of the US President is also phenomenal. They are basically after him because he's an indecisive and cowardly leader. President Moore's toughest anecdote is a story about urinating in his pants and, in a way, undergoing the bravery ritual is as relevant to him as it is to Oskari. Obviously, there are several flaws in "Big Game" as well, notably how quickly everything and everybody gets tracked in these supposedly giant and impenetrable forests, but you'll gladly accept them. Thanks to the fast pacing, the compact running time and the thrilling special effects, "Big Game" is a massively enjoyable popcorn action flick that comes with my highest recommendation.

Really really bad

[bwdude · 2/10 · 27 May 2015]

I can't remember when I last saw a movie that was THIS mind-numbingly stupid. Compared to this, the Avengers or Snakes on a Plane are factual documentaries!

There is ONE highlight in this movie, the kid actor Onni Tommila. And he is the only reason I found it mildly entertaining, even though he could not save the movie.

Samuel Jackson (does he actually take ANY role that is pitched to him?) is far from his best and his character behaves highly inconsistent. Everything else is so constructed and unbelievable, sometimes it physically hurts!

The sad thing is, with a little more care, better writing and directing, this could have been a quite decent movie.The basic story has potential, but is utterly ruined by constant bull-crap that keeps you face-palming over and over.

One star because I can't give zero, and one for the kid.

Silly and Brilliant at the same time

[flingebunt · 7/10 · 28 May 2015]

So Samuel L. Jackson is the President of the United States and is shot down in Finland where the men and real men and the 13 year old boys are out in the wilderness trying to prove that they are real men.

The President of the US of A is just a foil for this Finnish story about Oskari who, on turning 13 must go out into the wilderness to bring back some game. His grandfather killed a bear at the same age, but maybe Oskari is not up to the task?

But then the President of the US of A turns up while being hunted by terrorists and Oskari is there to prove that being strong is not about muscles but about willpower.

So finally we get a story where the US is not all powerful, but seriously doesn't Finland have an air force that could scrambled to search the area? When the US armed services get permission to operate on Finish territory and why wasn't any killed by being hit by a Nokia?

So the verdict. Every stupid moment in this film is brilliant, and most brilliant moments are also at least a little stupid. It works and is worth watching.

What the movie is about is that if you go into the forest it will give you a gift that is meant to both test and reward you.

I want to call this movie BIG SHAME if i can?

[dave_devant · 1/10 · 26 May 2015]

Is this what passes for a decent film these days? Big Game is the worst movie experience i've had for quite some time. it starts off well but dive bombs after about 10 minutes. ( and its only 90 minutes long ) its a ludicrous story, barely enjoyable and everything is based on pure coincidence and circumstance. Jackson is terrible as the President also. Everything is forgettable about this movie. The kid was the best person in this film and he needs a better platform than Big Game. AWFUL!! its very reminiscent of 1980's movies, but fails to emulate them completely. just go and buy Stallone's Cliffhanger Instead. Or go and watch Rare Exports.

Fun Fun Fun!!

[LTSmash14 · 8/10 · 9 September 2014]

Samuel L Jackson is the disgruntled President of the United States who is the target of an attack that leaves him crash landed in the forest of Finland aided only by Oskari, a Finish boy trying to prove himself as a hunter and as a man. WHAT MORE CAN YOU WANT?!

This is the best camp action movie I have seen in a long time (and I'm counting The Expendables). It's so much fun to watch. Onni Tommila as Oskari is so brilliant and hilarious, and stands up no problem to Sam Jackson.

Definitely what you're looking for on a Friday night in with a buddy and a beer.

Above average kid's flick (lets be crystal clear)

[A_Different_Drummer · 7/10 · 24 May 2015]

Looking at the other reviews, there seems to be a miscommunication about what type of film this is.

So this reviewer will be crystal clear: from the moment film first went into the camera, this project was intended a family/kids film destined to appear on cable channels all over the world either on a Saturday matinée or in the after-dinner hours.

Aside from Sam Jackson (whom I have been calling in my reviews since the 1990s "the most overexposed actor in film history") everyone else is second tier B movie material.

This is not die-hard "puberty edition." This is about fathers and sons and everything else is secondary to that.

So, now that we are crystal, it is really not bad. The effects are good, the bad guys are convincing, and even the action scenes work well.

Above average kids flick.

While it may seem ludicrous at times, Big Game catches the audience's interest with hearty humor and lively visual.

[quincytheodore · 7/10 · 19 May 2015]

Adding to the series of recent movies involving President of The United States being in peril, Big Game is also presenting a quirky and amusing angle on the premise. Having more action than expected and lightly humorous, it hits on the right spot with just the right amount of casual fun. Some of the scenes are ridiculous, though the strange duo and witty material will be an accessible delight for audience.

Story follows The President of Unites States (Samuel L. Jackson) and an ordinary Finnish boy Oskari (Onni Tommila) who is undergoing traditional coming of age ritual. Oskari must prove himself by hunting a game from the forest, but a strange encounter with The President will distract him from his goal. This may be the weirdest duo of buddy action flick, but at this point Samuel L. Jackson could probably deliver any bizarre character asked of him.

The President is not the usual action character, in fact compared to the pursuers he is largely outclassed. It's a playful personality with more emphasis on comedy than his usual brash attitude, although the film doesn't deprive audience from his trademark mockery. Oskari is also far from a secret service agent, he's just a young boy and eager to prove himself.

The large difference on both characters play to their advantage in creating a few chuckles. Some other notable names for the supporting cast such as Victor Garber and Ray Stevenson also are appreciated. Casting isn't far from their usual roles, and they adequately presentable here.

Script is pretty good, the jokes are spot-on without being overly crude. The film has light-hearted vibe, engaging on simple theme fitting for a family movie. Visual is unexpectedly vibrant. There are several moments worthy of any action movies. These few high octane shots balance the silly antics. Its foreign setting creates a more refreshing outlook than the usual city environment of the genre, it's definitely a better view than being confined in White House again.

Visually fresh and charmingly witty, Big Game is a simple yet entertaining action comedy.

a flawfilled film

[ops-52535 · 7/10 · 19 December 2018]

I saw this movie with my wife, she was jiggling all the time,i had 2 dusins of good laughs, even though there are so many actual fact flaws on geography and politics. the plot is fine and the acting ok but most of all its damned good fun and impecable special effects and explotions,so dont hesitate watching this,its childish but great entertainment even for an old grumpy guy as me.

Game Plan

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 15 July 2015]

Watching this you do know where it's heading (cliches and all), but it's still a fun experience if you let it be and roll with it. It might be a bit difficult for some to read subtitles from time to time, but Samuell L. Jackson as POTUS is just incredible and as funny as that sounds it can be.

The kid actor is really good too and the direction of the movie is entertaining as that "christmas" movie was the director did prior to that. But you can't compare this too much with Rare Exports, this being more of a Hollywood affair and therefor not having as many edges as that other movie. Good little entertainment, not much more, but not that much less

The Finland is the country of high mountains

[morehod23 · 4/10 · 6 May 2020]

Well... When the screenwriter set the action in some particular country, IMHO, he has to get general ideas about the location he is describing... Isn't he/she? I understand that 95% of the American public has no idea where Finland is and how does it look... but... Probably, the rest 5% knows that Finish landscape is pretty flat and mostly consists of lakes and swamps

Fun Like It Used to Be

[carlcasso · 10/10 · 9 May 2015]

I was dragged to this Movie today by my Son. He Dragged me to See Age Of Ultron Last week and even though I'm a fan of Marvel, I thought there was far too much going on in that Movie.

But back to this one. Do you remember the old Bruce, Arnie and Stallone Movies before they got old. This is just like those movies. We get Action, Characters to Care about Action. Funny One liners. Action. And we feel good at the end. Did I mention Action.

Nobody is going to win and Oscar here but if you like bringing your kids to the movies, this is for you.

Great Fun. Just what Movies used to be like.

A Glorious Slice Of Saturday Night Entertainment

[FantasticFilmFan · 7/10 · 6 November 2022]

I avoided "Big Game" around the time of its release as word-of-mouth was less than encouraging. I'd thoroughly enjoyed Jalmari Helander's "Rare Exports", and continue to do so with a viewing every Christmas, but I had to trust audience opinion on his follow up, right? Well, I shouldn't have; not on this occasion any way. Much like "Rare Exports", this is a heightened tale of hunting which takes place on photogenic landscapes and well designed studio sets. Its strength lies in inventive action set pieces and the entire production is arguably superior to similar fare such as John Woo's "Hard Target" and "Broken Arrow". The instances of hand to hand combat are the only moments which disappoint ever so slightly, but those are few and far between. Helander has a fine grasp on cinematic technique. His blocking and framing offers up strong imagery, even with inserts. The quality of the photography only seems to dip with some of the 2nd unit aerial shots. Samuel L. Jackson collects another paycheck proving that not only is he 'The Man' but that he's also 'The Man' that's always better than the material he's given. Jackson might receive top billing but the movie's lead character, Oskari, is performed by the excellent Onni Tommila ("Rare Exports"). He's outstanding in a dual language role that's more demanding than Jackson's both physically and emotionally. The cast is also loaded with solid support from Ray Stevenson, Felicity Huffman, Victor Garber, Ted Levine and Jim Broadbent, who chews a great big sandwich - and plenty of scenery - as CIA consultant, Fred Herbert. It's a welcome throwback to action thrillers that used to dominate in the 90s starring the likes of Schwarzenegger, Stallone, Seagal and Van Damme. Wish I'd seen this sooner.

BIG LAME

[MadamWarden · 3/10 · 10 May 2020]

OMG. Terrible script, ridiculous plot, technically awful, appalling acting, some of the most awkward lines in the history of movies.

Give this a wide berth!

Ignorance irritates me

[stinkfist-60060 · 1/10 · 28 November 2017]

I hate when somebody (usually Americans) making movie about real world using real countries/towns names etc and they do not care if anything they show about real place it's true. They act like every watcher of their movie is an imbecile and know nothing about the world. I'm writing it because movie is placed in huge mountain range in Finland (It is not a spoiler cause this information is given in first 3 minutes of the movie) and THERE IS NO MOUNTAINS IN FINLAND AT ALL. This is not a secret knowledge at least they could write fricki'n Finland in google earth. So as I say Ignorance irritates me and I could not give any more than one to people that do not respect their watchers.

Puny Game. ♦ 34%

[nairtejas · 3/10 · 24 May 2015]

Comic book violence with gleaming visuals apart, this Finnish action-adventure has doses of ridiculousness scattered all over the place.

A young lad (Tommila) from a pre-modern Finnish hunting community bumping into POTUS (Jaskson) who has just been betrayed by his security chief, and rescuing him from the clutches of those who seek him is not called coincidence, but a result of a brainstorm conducted by few half developed brains that were enticed with the prize of big money.

The plot is hardly convincing, let alone logical. Of course, we have seen Hollywood biggies like Olympus Has Fallen (2013) and White House Down (2013) that deal with the same theme in the past, this one is not even near to what filth they had to offer. The dumbness is introduced in the first few minutes and after that, refuses to clear out from the screenplay that is sampled with traces of embarrassing humor. That there is a cue for essential time managers to leave the seat and go home, never to return.

Big Game has some delicious visuals that will excite your senses, if you can ignore the mindlessness, that is. There is some Greek thrown into your face by the archer protagonist, which somehow didn't have proper subtitles at my county screening. Terrible stunts and even terrible dialogs is what makes the film viewing unpleasant. And there is one hell of a robust refrigerator they have there. If I could gift that to my girlfriend, oh well, I'd be lucky every night for the rest of my life.

BOTTOM LINE: Big Game is a film whose weak writing is only exceeded by its weak writing.

Rating: 3 stars out of 10 - below average.

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

Big Game is a big dumb, cheesy, 80's action flick and that's why it works. It never takes itself too seriously and has a lot of fun along the way. Recommended.

[anteltoro · 7/10 · 24 June 2015]

"You've gotta cock it, mother******."

Well, at least Sam L. Jackson got to say 'mother******' in this surprisingly fresh PG-13 action adventure so that's a good start. The plot of Big Game reminded me of a big, dumb, cheesy, 80's action flick which was something I enjoyed, because of how well executed the film was. Despite some super cliché scenes/dialogue, Big Game mostly works.It was better than I expected and although, it's not as good as Jalmari Helander's previous effort Rare Exports, BG delivers on it's B-movie premise with a blockbuster amount of grandeur. Jackson obviously knocks it out of the park (The man is an amazing character actor) but the best part of the movie is definitely Onni Tommila. This kid is a bad-ass and he owned his role as Oskari. I loved Onni in Big Game and Rare Exports. Ray Stevenson as the villain was an okay choice but his performance was pretty wooden which didn't help his case. Even though I prefer Rare Exports over his second effort, Big Game is still such a breath of fresh air compared to most of the films I've seen this year. It's super fun and I had a wicked time throughout. Recommended.

To all those that were harsh on this movie...

[atjohnq · 7/10 · 20 July 2019]

People.. It's a movie. A very decent movie. Not a documentary.. It's... A... Movie. No.. It's not going to get an Oscar nod. You people must be great at parties.

Epically mounted, poorly written; a just-OK B-movie, and a blatant bid for Hollywood

[Coolestmovies · 5/10 · 6 September 2014]

On route to a pre-G8 summit meeting, the U.S. president's plane is brought down by a seeming act of terrorism into the dense, mountainous Finnish Lapland, played here by the German Alps much like Norway substituted for Finland in writer-director Jalmari Helander's debut feature RARE EXPORTS. Ejected to safety by his right-hand secret service agent (Ray Stevenson) before the crash, the president (Samuel L. Jackson) finds his only hope of escaping the mountains and forest is a 13-year old boy (Onni Tommila, the star of RARE EXPORTS) undergoing his first solo hunt as a rite-of-passage into manhood. The boy, we're shown, doesn't share his father's legendary skill for hunting—his talent with a bow and arrow tending to land shots well short of their targets—but when it becomes apparent that the president is being stalked, MOST DANGEROUS GAME style, by a team of slick big game hunters led by a Saudi psychopath (Mehmet Kurtulus) who has paid an exorbitant sum of money for the privilege of stuffing and mounting his prize, the duo must both learn that being tough is equally as crucial as looking tough.

Meanwhile, back at Pentagon HQ bunker, the vice president (Victor Garber), his aide (Felicity Huffman), a top general (Ted Levine) and an intelligence expert (Jim Broadbent) pound their fists, actually shout lines like "Dear GOD!", order in Chinese take-out, analyze a wall of gigantic satellite monitors and generally deliver Helander's shallow, wholly-derivative and often groan-inducing dialogue with as much professional aplomb as they can muster. With actors like these, all of whom Helander was no doubt able to attract on the charming eccentricity of RARE EXPORTS, audiences bring a lot of subconscious baggage to the table when watching them on deliver mostly and unnecessarily expository dialogue, having seen them play countless similar roles over the years, in effect filling in the blanks left by the writer. Without them, or with lesser actors or, say, Finns playing Americans, the film wouldn't have gotten too deep into the festival circuit (where it's currently making the rounds as I write this), or even a DVD/stream release outside of Europe or the Nordic countries, as the primary selling features would be limited to its spectacular visuals, an epic score, and the unique flavour of the indigenous cast. There are plenty of Nordic movies like that already, and they're largely unknown in North America.

Speaking of blanks, there are some big ones in Big Game, including a clearer understanding of the conspiracy that's actually taking place. With straight-up terrorism ruled out very early in the show, and the Chinese-armed Mid-Eastern hunters revealed to be in league with an "inside man", it comes as no real surprise that the two halves of the story—the action in the forest and the hand-wringing at the pentagon—will reveal additional villainy afoot (predictably, that's exactly what happens). But when Kurtulus, at long last moving in for the kill on Jackson aboard a sunken Air Force One after much shooting of guns, detonating of explosives, pursuits by helicopters and, at one point, a perilous and logic-defying ride in an airborne-then-waterborne refrigerator (don't ask), suddenly announces that he's on actually on the president's side (!), but answers Jackson's query of how with an exhausted "It's a long story. Maybe later." before resuming his attempt to kill him, it only confirms that Helander hasn't really thought the story through beyond characters and dialogue he purloined from other, superior works. That this exchange is quickly followed by Jackson's trailer-ready, baddie-dispatching quip for the ages proves that Helander is more about hitting the right beats and deploying the expected clichés than shaping character or filling in story, or addressing potentially interesting political subtexts inherent in the situation he created.

Make no mistake. This is clearly an amped-up calling card to Hollywood in the wake of the goodwill engendered by his enjoyably quirky RARE EXPORTS. I doubt it will get much theatrical play outside major markets. It will probably do alright on DVD and streaming (the "home formats", as the pros will say), and its high gloss production value should surprise the unsuspecting renter and be enough to attach Helander and DP Mika Orasmaa to a bigger American or international production for their next show(s), which is clearly something they're aiming for based on the evidence assembled here.

BIG GAME is very well crafted on what was undoubtedly a small budget compared to its American antecedents, with Helander and Orasmaa backgrounding nearly every frame with majestic mountain scenery, big skies, craggy surfaces and lush forestation, and Juri and Miska Seppa's sweeping orchestral score matching those visuals on every level, almost to a fault. The film's plentiful digital effects, including the crash of Air Force One and a climactic confrontation in the sky between ejector seat-bound Jackson and Tommilla and a helicopter riding villain, are all seamlessly integrated even as they routinely defy physics or common sense. But these are beautiful visuals tethered to an undernourished B-movie screenplay. I suppose some will claim that's part of it's charm — and it's certainly never boring as a result — but that's just excusing the fact that Helander should've had someone with a better ear for English dialogue and a better understanding of how the more successful of the American action pictures and 1980's Spielberg productions he idolizes here actually work, perhaps by doing more technical research than just appropriating their surface gloss for inspiration.

Great Big Fun. Big Time.

[Eric_Cubed · 8/10 · 29 August 2015]

I can't understand all the haters out there hating on this one. It brings the cinema back to life the way other gratuitous movies like Armageddon, Goonies and The Rock did. It's a mix of Spielberg and Roland Emmerich. It's big, it's fun, adventurous and endearing, total adventure escapism, the way good movies should be. The cinematography is beyond astounding, and 1/2 the acting is really good. But, 1/2 the acting is really, really bad unfortunately, especially Samuel Jackson and his entourage. I kind of feel bad for Samuel Jackson in a way. It's only been recently that I haven't wished for or expected him to say some pulp fiction gangster lines in every scene. Somehow he looks depressed in this movie. Maybe because he can't say some bad-ass gangster lines? I would kill to see a pulp fiction spin off of his character, maybe roaming the world like Cain from Kung-Fu and, like the A-Team, doing good things and saving people. Or, glorious abandon, his pulp fiction character meeting up with the A-Team? Only in my dreams.

Like Indiana Jones meets Die Hard.. with Sam Jackson.. in Finland.

[kieranbattams · 7/10 · 10 May 2015]

I'm gonna be completely honest with you guys, i heard about this film around a week ago. The reason i saw it? Samuel L Jackson was on the poster. That is literally all i knew about it. That wasn't a bad thing. It is good to go into this film not knowing a huge deal about it. Go in with sky high expectations and yes you will be disappointed. Go in expecting a ridiculous action-adventure romp featuring another brilliant Samuel L Jackson performance.. i guarantee you will find at least some enjoyment, go ahead try it.

As far as plot goes it is pretty basic, but not so basic that you feel you have seen everything about it before. The president of the United States (Sam motherf***ing Jackson) is targeted and shot down by terrorists for no reason other than to hunt and kill him. His presidential escape pod is found in Finland by a child called Oskari, played by Onni Tomilla in what as far as i know is one of his first (if not first) performances. As a first performance starring alongside a legend like Samuel L Jackson definitely isn't a bad thing and he does a pretty decent job. Anyway, Oskari is sent to the wilderness to fend for himself and become a man. Together Oskari and the president must survive and escape the corrupt clutches of the presidential right hand man, Ray Stevenson. In fact all performances in this film hold up well, even a small one from Jim Broadbent who mostly just eats and sandwich and tracks the president. Easy paycheck i suppose.

Supposedly this film is fairly low budget, yet the biggest budget film in Finland. $8 million in fact. I must say that the effects look pretty great considering this, although the green screen is a bit obvious at times. The one thing this film excels at is the action. We get an awesome sequence featuring our main characters racing down Finnish mountains in a freezer which is probably the best sequence and was a little like a certain Indiana Jones film. The climax is also pretty awesome and being a 12a rated film even sneaks in a famous Samuel L Jackson motherf***er quote. He pulls off the president really well actually, i can believe this guy would make a good president.

At the end of the day Big Game is a fun throw back to 80s action movies that isn't perfect but serves as an incredibly enjoyable way to spend 90 minutes. It was the perfect length although one scene at the end, don't worry no spoilers, really didn't make sense but who cares when the film is so much fun. I would recommend giving it a go and even if you don't like the film, Sam Jackson is still as enjoyable as ever and i look forward to seeing him later this year in "The Hateful Eight". Check it out motherf***ers!!

7.5/10

Awful is too mild

[vtubicmusic · 1/10 · 29 December 2016]

I can't believe Samuel L. Jackson was in this piece of turd. Should be more careful, no excuse.

One cliché upon another, comic book dialogue, a series of stupid moves from the bad guys, endless reinforcement of the idea that "we, the US, are the most powerful country," a bland middle-eastern villain, lack of motif for the terrorists' (that word has been mentioned 100X) actions...Common.

I can see a 11 year old buying this, but even so there's just too much junk.

The music feels transplanted from sci-fi and epic films, Alien meet LOTR...Inapropriate.

Down right condescending, and what an Unbelievable waste of 8.5m dollars. Better give it to charity next time.

A movie to ignore

[tarek-kaddoumi · 3/10 · 28 April 2015]

Oh my every single god !! can anyone tell me the goal of such movie?! -1 fun?!: not at all -2 action?!: what ?! -3 amusing me?! couldn't do it -4 showing off some natural scenes?! ah .. maybe .. this why i gave it 3

Now i can understand why some people say they need their money or my their 2 hours back.. I need them back now!! why I spent my money and my time on such trial to do a very basic boring movie?!

i could not believe it when it ended .. i was waiting something to happen .. and the only thing that happened was my disappointment ..

ah: the only good thing that happened to me during the movie: the popcorn.

Worst Jackson film ...ever

[neilroberts1967 · 1/10 · 23 May 2015]

I've just wasted 2 hrs of my life or at least that's what it feels like this film is not cliffhanger this film is not Spielberg either like some have said its not fun either...not sure were some of these reviews come from but they are that far from the truth its laughable ...anyway watch it at your peril, the acting is very budget the fight scenes if any are worse than budget in fact this film is lower than budget terrible i could not give the film a higher score than 1 because i feel i have been cheated into believing this was a good watch now my brain feels numb...Jackson please be careful on your next choice of films bud or you will loose your street cred