Movie Reviews

‘Attack on Finland’ review: Action movie is timely and exciting

What would Turkey think?

June 29, 2022

Attack on Finland is the type of big action movie that filled the cinema landscape of the 1980s. It is Finland’s Independence Day and a celebration is being held. Things take a tragic turn when the Presidential Palace is attacked and the president is taken hostage. It soon becomes clear this is just a step towards the ultimate goal of destabilizing the security of Europe.

The 2021 film is one of those that is unintentionally topical. With the final objections out of the way, it looks as if Finland will be a part of NATO. Though Attack on Finland is based on a work of fiction, the terrorists want to prevent the country from joining NATO. (In another bit of prophetic storytelling, the attackers are backed by Russia.)

Putting the current state of world affairs aside will leave audiences with an action packed movie. There are a number of scenes that are well staged and ramp up the tension. The script may be short on character depth, but it makes sure the audience is always involved.

The leads are a fun pair to watch. Max Tanner is a Finnish secret agent while Sylvia Madsen is a Swedish agent. The two have great chemistry and are arguably the highlight of Attack on Finland. Even when things become predictable, Max and Sylvia makes sure things remain interesting. Audiences will be rooting for them the entire time.

Attack on Finland is more than just an action movie, however. Along with his shootouts, it has something to say about bigger issues. Geopolitics and national security are just the tip of the iceberg as the film also touches on history while showcasing the fighting spirit of the entire country. If nothing else, it is fascinating to see the differences between an action made in America versus one made abroad.