Big Game

Jalmari Helander, the guy who gave us Rare Exports (the weirdest Christmas movie ever), now gives us one of the weirdest coming-of-age stories ever made. Oskari (Onni Tommila from Exports) is going through a family ritual on this thirteenth birthday. He must head into the woods alone and kill an animal with a bow and arrow. He has to camp alone, stalk the animal alone, and kill it alone. He doesn't feel quite up to the task. Then, Air Force One is shot down in the forest he's camping in, and Oskari comes across the President of the United States (Samuel L. Jackson). The President has been betrayed by his Secret Service guy (Ray Stevenson), who is in cahoots with a terrorist looking to kill the President and have him stuffed. Oskar's plans change as he represents the only chance to save the President because the SEALS are too far away. Big Game becomes a buddy movie as the two share an adventure in trying to get themselves to safety. Oh boy, is this ever a stupid movie. Yet, Helander pulls it off in an “OK for a Saturday Night rental” sort of way. The action is decent enough (although a little goofy looking at times due to budget limitations), and Jackson is fun as the leader of the free world. Surprisingly, Felicity Huffman, Jim Broadbent and Victor Garber show up in supporting roles. (Available for rent on iTunes, Amazon.com and On Demand during limited theatrical run.)