A barebones revenge plot supercharged by the senselessness of mechanized war provides fanciful violence tempered by gruesome carnage. Writer/director Jalmari Helander skillfully lets loose the unbridled rage of Aatami Korpi (played by Jorma Tommila) on film's natural enemy: uncomplicated, irredeemable Nazi scum.
Hints of a deeper backstory, perhaps apocryphal, offer a relief against Tommila's furious stare that transforms an otherwise mute one-dimensional character into one of flesh, blood, and legend.
Aksel Hennie has the screen presence to give his portrayal of an SS officer enough nihilistic verve to want to see him snuffed out.
The film, nearly unfairly, employs an adorable dog for melodrama, but the dog is reportedly the lead actor's own and the film doesn't get too carried away (also the dog is adorable).
An efficient warmachine that slays.
Rated: liked.