Attack on Finland

Originally titled Omerta 6/12, director Aku Louhimies’ Attack on Finland sees Markus Tanner and Sylvia Madsen (Jasper Paakkonen and Nanna Blondell) on a secret service mission. Unfortunately, Madsen inadvertently shoots a young boy, thinking he is an adult about to strike her partner. As a result, the two flee, leaving Madsen terminally ridden with guilt.

Meanwhile, Vasa Jankovic (Sverrir Gudnason) is having consistent financial problems and is dealing with the incarceration of his father, Borislav (Miodrag Stojanovic). He is approached by a mysterious woman who promises to make him “astronomically rich.” Vasa and a group of other domestic terrorists take the President of Finland, General Morel (Zijad Gracic), and his bodyguard, Madsen, as hostages.

Attack on Finland starts out like Jason Bourne, but it quickly turns into Dog Day Afternoon. The film, written by Jari Olavi Rantala, doesn’t do anything new in terms of the action-thriller genre that it resides in. It surely feels like it could be something, but it’s missing that certain je ne sais quoi factor that makes other films stand out. This is one of those stories where the characters are pushed by certain events instead of them pushing the action. That makes everyone come across as one-dimensional because they are not proactive in any way, shape, or form.

“…domestic terrorists take the President of Finland, General Morel, and his bodyguard…”

In all honesty, the action-thriller seems dead because what else can be done with it? Someone gets kidnapped. The protagonist has to save the victim. There is a roadblock in the form of a villain that has an ulterior motive. A fight ensues. Somebody gets killed, and the kidnapped person is saved. It is the same old story that has been told and retold countless times. I could write it myself if given the opportunity.

Attack on Finland, however, is not without its merits. The casting is top-notch for an action-packed vehicle like this. No actor ever feels out of place, and each stands on their own two feet with ease. Sadly, a lot of that talent comes crashing down like the 1929 stock market with a cliche-riddled script and unengaging storytelling. Its barren landscape often overshadows the talent of the actors, as the cinematography is too dull, flat, and uninspired.

For the most part, Attack on Finland is largely a missed opportunity that fails to stand out from any other movies in the crowd of indies or blockbusters. Nor does Louhimies live up to any feats of reinvention or wonder in his chosen genre. This seems like yet another action movie that is destined to be popular only on DVR or home video. Fortunately, some bored college student or parent out there somewhere will be willing to watch it, if only to pass the time.